From A. Churches: Some Libraries Still Have Got It Wrong…
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 06:29AM 
Andrew Churches is one of the smartest Kiwis I know. (But I admit I don't know that many.) I also know from going souvenir shopping with him in Mumbai, he is a sharp bargainer. His Educational Origami blog is brilliant and you should add it to your feed reader.
Please read his post Some libraries still have got it wrong.
The point Andrew makes is that librarians isolate themselves behind desks (and I would add in offices) rather than being out in the area with those they serve.
I've always wondered just how differently school librarians would be perceived if everyone put his/her desk on the floor of the library, turned the librarian's office into conference room, and chopped about two feet off the height of the circulation desk. As a school librarian at all grade levels, the first thing I always did was move my desk on to the floor.
Did kids and teacher come up and "interrupt" me by asking questions or just saying hello.
Yes. But that's the point.
Get out of the office. Get our from behind the circulation desk fortress.
Reader Comments (6)
Doug,
Our library is one long rectangular room and my desk is at one end and the circulation is at the other-Students and teachers always have access to me. I have always believed that there is no "unencumbered" time in the library. Our circulation desk is a modified teacher desk so that my KG students can reach it with out a problem.
Rati
Hi Doug,
I totally agree. It's easy to think that in this world which is ever more digital (books and other information too) that librarians don't have much of a future. But that couldn't be further from the truth. There is a real opportunity for them to be our guides to this increasingly complex web of information.
Seth Godin published an interesting post about his prediction for the future of the library.
I've had my desk on the floor of all of my high school libraries, starting about 17 years ago. There's a lot of paper/computer work in our jobs and we've got to be available to help kids/teachers all day long - why not do them both at the same time! Now, on those few days where I need to be in my office to make phone calls or finish something without interruptions, I miss the interaction. With laptops, netbooks and tablets, there's really no excuse to be closeted away and miss all the action!
Too true and it hit home. I do spend too much time in my office. Unfortunately, there isn't an inch of space for a desk "on the floor". I have walked about several times trying to find a spot. Perhaps when we remodel - if I haven't retired by then. I did try a stand up desk but my old back complained more than the positive effect. I can report, however, that the circ desk is low. Even the little pre-k kids can hand a book up for checkout. Perhaps I will take another stroll with an eye to a new perch. Thanks for the prod.
I took over one of the tables in the Media Center to be my "desk," and my office has, indeed, become a conference room. I love being right in the middle of the action. I can't imagine having it any other way.
Hi Rati,
You sound very accessible!
Doug
Hi Seb,
I liked Godin's piece on libraries as well. Thanks for the reminder.
Doug
Hi Terri,
Thanks for the second. It is funny how locked away one can feel in an office.
Doug
Hi Gwen,
How about just working at an empty table (if there is one)?
Doug