A little ray of sunshine

This came in my email yesterday (slightly edited and anonymized). After the bleak news of other library program cuts recently, this was just a little ray of sunshine!

Two years ago-in spring 2005, I sent [your] survey to my teachers and received very high marks. I, of course, made copies (especially of the section that asked, "what is the best part of the your school's library media program" where three teachers simply wrote in my name) and sent them to the principal. ...the message was clear. Teachers were happy!

Well as an un-tenured teacher, with no affirmations from my boss, it was the balm from Gilead--you know the one that heals the "sin sick soul." I still believe publishing those survey results helped me keep my job. How could a principal NOT re-hire a Library Media Specialist who was serving the staff?

This spring, as a tenured teacher, I will repeat the survey and ... I will again publish the results.

Believe me, Doug I am in a much better frame of mind this year sending out the survey.

Thank you for giving me the tools to ask the questions. Without the template, I might never have done the survey. Who knows what might--or might not, have happened. Just wanted to let you know we DO use the tools and resources you have created.

Notes like these are why many of us make our work public. I am always grateful and humbled when I get such comments, 'cause some days you really wonder if anything you've done has ever made a difference.

I believe this is the simple tool this email writer used with her teachers: (Other surveys for parents, students and principals are available here.)

Teacher Survey Questions

Questions 1-12 all use this Likert scale:

Strongly Disagree (1) Disagree (2)  Agree  (3)  Strongly agree (4)

1. I can help determine what activities, policies and materials are a part of the library media program.
2. The media specialist regularly communicates with the staff about programming and resources using a variety of methods.
3. The media budget for books, audio-visual materials, computer software, and equipment is adequate to meet my students’ needs.
4. Resources for the media center are carefully chosen to reflect curriculum and student needs, and the resources are of high quality.
5. The resources in the media center are easy to locate, readily accessible, well maintained, and up-to-date.
6. The media center curriculum plays an important part in the total educational program at the school.
7. The media center is adequately available for my use, whole class use, and individual or small group student use.
8. The media specialist provides help to me on an individual basis.
9. The media center is staffed so that its resources can be fully utilized.
10. The media staff create a welcoming and comfortable climate in the media center.
11. The learning climate in the media center is orderly and purposeful.
12. Technology is being taught and used in the media center to improve student access to information
13. Please list the best characteristic(s) of your school’s library media program:
14. Please list the way(s) the library media program could be improved to better serve you and your students.
15. Other comments or observations.

Use this tool if you can. Put your fate in your own hands.

Comments

[Betty]

The survey is a great idea. Anyone that helps teachers with all of the new technology is worth their weight in gold.