Alright! We are rolling along and are now on week three! For this week we will all be focusing on Mission Statements and our CDP-1. So with that being said, the posts and discussions of what we do here will be geared towards that.
Before I get to the actual questions there are some guidelines that need to be established:
1) Respond to at least two questions. You can pick both from one text or one from each, the combination is up to you.
2) Stay involved in one thread for two more days (both reading and contributing posts.
Ok, so now that's out of the way, here we go.
Brain Activity: Jot down a list of ten words you would imagine your library to be. List only ten and jot them down within a period of a minute or two. What do these words say about your future library? What do they say about you and the commitment you're willing to make in order to present your vision of the "perfect" library in your eyes? (This you can do on some paper, not post)
Discussion Question(s):
1) In "Mission Statements: Rhetoric, Reality or Road Map to Success", Mary Keeling writes "Mission statements are expected elements of business plans and corporate communication" (30). What are your thoughts on libraries as "businesses"? How does a library function as an organization that serves a customer and his/her needs?
2) Mary Keeling states that a Mission Statement is "...a communication device that reflects, affirms, and inspires while communicating the current reality of our practice" (35). What does this statement mean to you as a future librarian? In what ways do you hope to achieve your vision within your future library and how do you hope to communicate its importance?
3) Take a moment to look at pages 20-23 of the Libraries, Mission and Marketing text. What do the before and after Mission Statements tell you about the dynamic process of running a library and working towards living a certain mission?
4) On page 18 of the Libraries, Mission and Marketing text, Linda Wallace discusses the process of writing a mission statement with various members of the school community. How important is it to collaborate with faculty and staff, and other important figures to ensure that the library is serving the community and school fully with regards to its educational goals?
Something I learned: After reading all of these texts and really thinking about my campus and all its nuts and bolts; I've come to realize that what we do significantly matters on what we say we do. A mission statement is key to any organization in regards to how members of that organization see themselves and how the community sees them as well. It is not enough to say that "I am a teacher working at this high school" or "I am a librarian at XYZ". As active participants we have to specifically and purposefully engage in the discourse of communicating who we are and what we do. And we must do this constantly.
You got my brain going with the activity (the point, right :). While I was doing this, I remembered 2/3 of my school librarian interviews where principals asked me to share my "vision" in narrative form. Your quick, brain activity not only prepares us for creating our mission statement, it also prepares us for those big job interviews. Even more importantly, it helps us *get busy* envisioning a place where we can join students in changing the world.
Your final paragraph gave me *cold chills.* The inspiration kind, not the yikes kind:) As I think about our contact with our administrators and corporation leadership, I realize that they are much more interested in the rhetoric of the school - and not actually the day-to-day operations (sad, but true). When we have a *new* rhetoric that (re)envisions the school library, we alter administrators' mental model more successfully than even our practice (ugh, I hate writing it, but it's true in most cases). In some ways, this corporate mentality feels anti-American (where we pride ourselves in our work[person]ship and having *heart and soul* invested in our work (not using workmanship because of its roots in the patriarchy). I'm not saying these things (workpersonship and heart/soul investment) aren't important. But the more I'm near administration (and even spent a year and a half working towards my administration license), the more I realize they focus on the external... what *sounds* good - not what *is* good. In many of their minds (and yes, I'm generalizing), they don't have time for what *is* - just for what it *appears* to be.
This puts more pressure on us (and our mission statements!) to not just think libraries are important and to expect others to just "get" it. It puts pressure on us (like our cdp1 assignment requires us to do) to articulate how the library/librarian does something unique that no other space/person in the school can do. Y'all if we can't do this, then why should administrators preserve our jobs or keep the space "safe" from the encroaching needs of the school? All over the United States, school librarian positions are being cut and libraries are being used for other purposes... because as a profession (and as individuals) we couldn't articulate our unique and important work to our administrators and communities.
In short, Jimmy, thanks for leading us to use our imagination to (re)imagine our space and our roles. Because of people like you, I have hope for the future of our profession and that special place in our schools that we call "the library."
Hail to you, thou visionary (current and future) librarians! Hail to you!
Julie Last year I was horrified when I saw the Houston Chronicle story about a school district laying off their certified librarians to cut budgets. (http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/education/article/Ranks-of-school-librarians-dwindle-in-HISD-4876366.php#/0). Some of us in this class could be working on something (the CDP and our mission statement) that could potentially save our future jobs.
The more we join our administrators in what they do, and show them that we are teachers AND administrators, the better off we and all our library peeps will be!
Soooo sad about Houston. With such a great youth services center in the public library, I just don't get it. But I am failing you by not.It is my job as a professor, and all SL's job to get it. So we can CHANGE it.
Be the change. That's one of the many mottos here at my school. I think many people see that and agree but don't actually want to be the change. But it still stands, we can change it. I agree with your statement Lana, what we're doing here could potentially change our professional futures.
I have heard that some schools are turning to parent volunteers running the library. That tells me that many in the community think the only thing libraries and librarians do is check in and out books. Of course they will cut these positions if that is what they think. We aren't just the change, we are game changers in the field of education.
Jimmy, I love that motto! Be the change. Sometimes it is hard for people to be pushed out of their comfort zone. In order to make a difference you must be the change.
Lana, after being in the library part-time for the past 1.5 years, it has astounded me exactly what goes into running a library and being a librarian. I have often talked with our head librarian and asked her if I'm being any help. She always reassures me that if I had not been in the library, the things I got accomplished would not have been accomplished. Since I have entered the library, I have helped input at least 100 DVD movies into our system (which had been in boxes for years) and also helped review and put on the shelves about 8 boxes of books. The main thing I have learned is the library is more than just "checking out and checking in books." :o)
I am commenting on the two disccusion questions from the article published by Linda Wallace. That article really struck a cord with me, and made me go back and visit my CDP rough draft.
Question #3 response: The before and after mission statement examples tell me that the mission statement is a “living” statement that should evolve. As our world is constantly changing, our collections and the services we provide change also. Mission statements cannot be written once and then stuffed away in a binder to show once every ten years. Our statements give us as librarians direction to keep us valuable and indispensable to our community. It’s a roadmap, and they must be revisited frequently.
Question 4: It is so important to collaborate with faculty and staff. What use is a library if no one is going to use it because your mission takes it in a completely different direction than your patrons need? It is important for librarians to understand that not everyone sees and uses the library the same way we do. If you understand how your library is valued from multiple points of view, it will only help you tailor your library and its mission to your patron base. After reading this article, I am encouraged to ask my head of school, the other librarians I work with, and faculty from all three levels what they believe our mission is. This will weigh heavily on what I submit as my mission statement in my CDP1. I do get way too involved in the day to day operations of my library and teaching lessons to my students. I need to step back and “see the forest and the trees”. The forest is my mission statement: what drive me to serve my customers to the best of my ability. The trees are the tools and strategies I use to implement my mission.
I agree Lana, Mission Statements need to be out in the open and utilized daily and able to be amended as times change, just as our lesson plans guide our classrooms and need to be revised as new educational practices evolve, so should our mission statements. As librarians, our purpose is to provide our patrons the necessary skills needed to be successful in a constantly changing world, and to do that we must have a mission statement that is readily available.
Did you see that AASL just revised their mission statement? I'm glad our professional organization agrees with you about the "living" nature of mission statements.
Mission Statements are kind of liking working out and dieting if you think about it (hear me out). Usually when we diet we do so for the sake of being healthier and losing weight. After some time though, our bodies adjust and we no longer have the desired affect that we once had and we need to find a new diet. Same with exercise, after months of running your body will adjust and running will no longer cut it.
Like our mission statements and profession we have to constantly find a new way to work and also communicating what we are doing. Society today is volatile. Anything can change in any given moment and we must constantly be prepared to make a change for the public we serve.
Lana, I agree that our mission statement must be changing and evolving just like the world around us. Change is always good, and in order to be effective librarians we must be willing to modify our mission statements. The last place a mission statement should be is "stored away". Our mission statement should serve as a roadmap guiding us to better serve our patrons.
I, too, agree that a mission statement is a living document. It has to meet the needs of the people using the library as well as those working in it. That population is always changing, thus the mission statement should change as well.
Lana, I really like how you referred to the mission statement as “living.” Keeping up with current developments can be a challenge as the world is constantly changing, but we must keep our collections and services up to date to best serve our students.
Lana, You hit it on the nose. This past year, my school modified our mission statement, so if a school does this, it definitely is necessary for a library.
Excellent thoughts Lana, I love that your answer to question 4 not only shows reflection, but a way of changing what you see you are missing. Collaboration on our mission really is an important part of making our libraries function at their highest levels. Something that we often miss.
Question #3 response: In looking at the before and after Mission Statements, it shows in the before statement that goals are more detailed and lengthy. The before statement still explains the mission, just in more depth. The after Mission Statement is more personalized. This statement breaks down the before statement and attempts to make it personal. Both the before and after mission statement serves the same purpose however and still explains running an effective library.
Question #4: When writing an effective mission statement, it is imperative to write others to make sure that these involved have an opportunity to contribute. Collaboration with stakeholders are very important because they too, will be utilizing the library as well. After everyone's ideas are gathered, then an effective mission statement can be written based on everyone's regard to educational goals.
Do you have any vision for a way to structure this, Jackie? Have you ever seen the "bottoms up" activity? I wouldn't call it that with teachers, but I like to do it to build consensus. And to teach folks the process.
Speaking of be the change. I remember you talking about your school's adoption of the CC. It is cool when SLs can show their admin that major decisions like CC and mission statements and a million other things in schools need to have consensus not top down decisions. We can show them this process!
Jackie, I am right there with you about how others should be invited to contribute. In the long run, I feel that people are more invested if they feel they have contributed. I know that I felt more invested in my school's mission after we, the faculty, was asked to contribute ideas for our new mission statement and vote for it last year. I can't see any reason why people wouldn't feel the same lending ideas to the library mission statement.
In Mission Statements: Rhetoric, Reality or Road Map to Success", Mary Keeling writes "Mission statements are expected elements of business plans and corporate communication" (30). As I read this statement, it brought me back to my years in retail world. We were always reminded that “The customer comes first,” and everything we do should revolve around the customer, and promote products that will meet and satisfy their needs. I can see why Keeling relates Mission statements to business plans. We should then ask ourselves, who is our library customer? What are their needs and wants? They (library patrons/customers) should be our focus, and everything we do as librarians should revolve on meeting our patrons’ needs and wants as well. After all, we here to promote “products” to our patrons.
Question #4 I agree with Linda Wallace, in Libraries, Mission and Marketing, where she states to invite other members of the school community to provide ideas when writing a mission statement (18). She states that, “opening up the process allows fresh insights and a sense of ownership to emerge.” If the school community from staff, board members, students, and parents are allowed to participate, brainstorm, and give their suggestions for their library’s mission statement, it will be that much more valued and taken seriously. All contributors will have a sense of pride and more likely will remember it.
Some librarians hate calling our students customers. What do you think? Others of you? Students, users, patrons, customers...what else do we call them?
I come from a retail background, so I'm not offended by calling folks customers. Would adopting this in all American school libraries change the way some librarians treat those who come in the doors? If everyone left with what they wanted/needed/feeling served, would our profession have better chances in this Century?
What about education in general? If all of our students left into the world feeling they were ready and taught everything they needed to know, what would education look like in the future?
Sandra - I agree with you in having others in your community provide ideas. It seems to me that if your mission statement takes into account the different perspectives from your community, it will only make your library stronger and more valuable.
James, The business world uses a business plan as a road map to outline their goals and how they plan to achieve those goals for their target market. Our Mission Statement should do just that for our target market: students, patrons, users, and "customers." What would happen if a business didn't adhere to its plan? Imagine if our Mission statements were as effective? Our "customers" would have their needs and wants met, and education would definitely take a whole different turn.
I completely agree that the patrons (students, parents, teachers, and staff) are our customers. I feel we are called to "serve" them in any way we can. One situation occurred just this past week in 2nd grade. I had a lesson planned for the class, but right before they were supposed to come in, I receive a phone call, "Mr. Mattern, I have decided to only send about 8 kids at a me today and forgo the library lesson." I simply said, "Sure, we can do that." As frustrating as it is at times (especially when we have parent volunteers wanting to see their kids) I always try to please the "customer."
Thank you Jimmy! You did a wonderful job and I like the way that you provided us with options.
Response to-"Libraries, Mission, & Marketing-Writing Missions Statements That Work" By Linda K. Wallace
Questions # 3- What do the before and after Mission Statements tell you about the dynamic process of running a library and working towards living a certain mission? Upon reflecting on the reading of the before and after mission statements, it validates the fact that a library mission statement will continue to be a work in progress and evolve throughout the years. As change is sure to occur, changes will have to be made in order to ensure that as the community changes, that our mission still supports the new needs of our patrons. What once was, may cease to be, and out with the old, and in with the new. As administrators do on a yearly basis with school improvement plans, we as soon to be librarians must be prepared and willing to accept that we must be willing to evaluate our missions and goals in order to determine if changes must be made in order to continue to provide a thriving environment for our community.
Question #4-How important is it to collaborate with faculty and staff, and other important figures to ensure that the library is serving the community and school fully with regards to its educational goals? I think that it is very important to collaborate with faculty and staff as well as other figures, in order to help ensure that the library is meeting the educational needs of its community. As we all know it takes a village to raise a child, and in the educational school system this rings true. Being that I consider the library to be the heart of the school, everyone in the school should play an active role in providing input as far as what they believe the goals of their library should be. By actively providing input and partaking in the decision making process of establishing and creating goals, it develops an accountability system. A system in which everyone works cohesively in order to ensure that the goals are slowly but surely being met. In addition, it allows for a more actively involved school community that has the best interest of their students in mind.
You mentioned that if we all collaborated we'd create a system in which goals are slowly but surely met. I think in the fast paced culture that we live in professionals are often inundated with requests for fast and immediate results. This includes education as well. I agree with you in that if we are to truly create something effective and purposeful it will take time and effort for it to grow and be a staple in the educational community. We just have to constantly work at it.
Exactly, Jimmy, you hit the nail right on the head....we live in such a fast paced culture that we all are just trying to survive day to day, and we tend to lose focus and forget that we are all in this together. Ideally we would love for a truly successful program to be in place overnight, but in order for it to become a reality, it will takes more than one person to accomplish that, and more time than we actually think. It must be chipped at slowly. "We" (meaning all faculty and staff, not just librarians) must be role models and "buy into" what we advocate to help promote the love and benefits of reading so students can develop a true understanding of its value and worth. Reflecting on this, has make me recall a quote that I use often with my 2nd graders (Don't know the author):
"The only place where SUCCESS comes before WORK is in the dictionary"
Read “Libraries, Mission, & Marketing-Writing Mission Statements That Work” by: Linda K. Wallace
Question #3 Response: After reading over the before and after statements I realize how easy it can be to over complicate a mission statement. As a teacher, you are familiar with that vocabulary but the patrons we will be serving are not. I know when I read something that has too many “big word” I begin to lose interest quickly. Now I’m able to understand the reasoning behind the mission statements being simple and direct. A libraries mission statement must be short and descriptive in order to inspire and motivate its patrons.
Question #4 Response: As an educator, and future librarian I see and agree with the idea of collaborating with the faculty and staff and other individuals to better facilitate learning both in the library and in the classroom. As the saying goes, “Two heads are always better than one”. I believe the same concept applies when developing a mission statement. By collaborating with the faculty and staff you are able to get a better understanding of the needs of the clientele you will be serving. Simply by getting feedback from others will further aid you in the development of a mission statement that meets the needs of all patrons visiting the library. Teamwork is the best way to accomplish our goal of meeting the needs of children/students.
Melissa - I really like how you describe the mission statement as something that will inspire our community. Isn't that exactly what we are charged with as educators to inspire our students to become life long learners and knowledge seekers? Can we can inspire our faculty by enhancing what they are doing in the classroom? I'm going to write the word INSPIRE on a post-it and stick it to my computer to remind myself everyday to inspire my community.
I read “Libraries, Mission, and Marketing: Writing Mission Statements that Work” by: Linda Wallace
I know I am coming in a little late to the conversation, so I doubt my responses will be all that different. I do apologize for that.
Question #3: I read pages 20-23, and I think the before and after mission statements tell me that the process of running a library and working towards living a certain mission are dynamic- always changing to meet the needs of those the library serves. Once upon a time, it was necessary to have long, drawn out mission statements, but in today's time, shorter and easier to remember is better.
Question #4: I think it is important to collaborate with faculty, staff, and other important school figures to ensure that the library is meeting its educational goals because the library is an important fixture in the school. Everyone who uses it should be able to provide input to how the library helps to meet their educational goals. Also, (and I am pretty sure I may have already said this in a reply) people are more likely to make an effort to make things work if they feel they contributed in some way. People want to be invested, more often than not, in something to make the learning process better for all involved.
But isn't it awesome though, that to some degree we are all on the same page? I know a variety of statements and questions is always welcomed, but I genuinely feel that coming all to a consensus on our own without discussing before hand is great.
Yes, it is awesome that we are all on the same page. It gives a feeling, at least for me anyway, that we're not really going at this alone. That there are others out there who get it.
I agree with you about how as times have changed so have mission statements. It made me think about when we are using a new strategy in math, the kids are very precise and try to follow every step of the process, they are very stiff and formal about it. As they gain confidence with the strategy they get comfortable and actually adjust to make it their own, and make it work more efficiently for them. I think the same is true for the whole business of mission statements. Mission statements have been around for a while, but not forever, and I think they are fairly new to schools (when compared to retail or other "business" sectors). When they were first used people felt the need to include every word, and the bigger the better because they sounded more important that way. Now that we are finally comfortable with them, I think we have realized that we can relax the wording so they are more accessible to others and they are even more powerful! :)
Right? I can remember being in high school (the same where I teach now), and there was a giant copy of the mission statement hanging in the cafeteria. It was long, and used so many words. Last year, the faculty re-wrote the mission statement, and it is four words: Empowering lives through learning. Those four words are so simple, but encompass so much.
I bet you didn't even have to go back to the cafeteria to make sure you had it right before you typed it into your reply! :):) That is where the power comes from - it connects and people remember. Even when you aren't thinking about it, it is still in the back of your mind connecting to events that prove the statement is true! Every time a student earns a scholarship, receives some type of recognition for an achievement, or acknowledges any of the other million ways their lives are better for having the knowledge they acquired while at school, they can relate it back to that mission statement!
The mission at our school is written everywhere and I really mean everywhere. It's even in each and everyone of our classrooms. Even as a joke sometimes we say it when a kid doesnt want to comply or is just having a bad day. But at the end of the day when the senior class has 300 plus college accepteance letters, we just have to nod when we hear or say "To and through college". That's the mission statement. Just four words.
Thank you Jimmy for these thought provoking questions!
Question 1: Libraries as a business? I agree that libraries operate as a business. Similar to a business especially if serving the public, it has operating hours and the need for a clear system to run the day to day operations. Because we are serving the school and community the library has to be aware of the needs of its customers. The customer being any stakeholder within the school community. The school district I work in has made the idea of customer service a priority within the school system.
Question #4: It is extremely important to collaborate with faculty, staff and community. The library can not be seen as a separate entity. It is a vital part of the school. Just like each part of the body has a specific function, the many parts work together as one. I have had the privilege of being part of a leadership team this year at my school where we discuss school agenda. Each person has been able to share ideas and concerns and it is interesting because of the diversity of the group we have been able to come up with solid plans on how to address the needs of our students. Through this collaboration, I believe a lot can be accomplished.
I defininitely share your views with the library being similar to a business. We definitely have a large amount of people to serve and satisfy on a day to day basis. And the customer's as stake holders to our community, right on. Without them we dont have a business to operate and we lose an important aspect to our educational system.
Question #2 response: As a new librarian with no policy/mission statement currently in place, I want my mission statement to convey to my “customers” exactly what the library is to our school. I don’t want it to just be fancy words, but a true representation of the overall mood or feel of the library. If this communication statement can truly reflect the atmosphere of the library then patrons should feel good about coming in the library and hopefully inspire the students. Question #4 response: I really took this part to heart from the readings. I immediately went back to my campus this week and asked my fellow colleagues what their thoughts were about the library in relation to our school. I asked each of them to tell me in 2-3 words how they envision the library. It was a great experience to hear other people’s thoughts and ideas. Some of the things I heard I had not thought of so it was interesting to get their perspectives. I also felt like it gave my co-workers some ownership in what should be said about “our” school library.
I always enjoy talking to others about what we do for the community and hearing what they have to say. It always gives me some fresh insight as to why I wake up every morning. I'm glad you had the oppurtunity to go and talk with your colleagues, I might have to do the same (except I'll ask mine if they think my school should even have one, because we dont.)
I don't have that issue, but I just can't imagine a school without a library. Even before starting grad school, I spent a great deal of time in my school's library. It's like home away from home and classroom.
I'm thankful to have a library in our school. Our students really enjoy going once a week. The students are allowed to go to the library to take AR Reading test. They really love it.
So sorry Jimmy, what a sad situation, but on a positive note, you can be the change that you want to be seen in the world...you can be the driving force that can bring a much needed change for the benefit of your school and community. -Yilsa DLS
I really can't believe a school would have no library. My students always tell me how much they love coming to the library and getting new books. I love sharing new books and different genres with them.
I am with Christofer in wondering how this impacts your school. Is there something in place in the school that acts as a substitute, or online material for students to access when doing research and assignments? What is the justification in having no Library?
I teach high school. Another teacher and I got some books together in one classroom and managed to supply some 10th graders (he did a go fund me account) with books of their choice, but that's it. We have a computer lab and a few mobile computer/ipad carts for research but it's such a hassle trying to tear them away from two or three teachers. When I ask why there is no library I'm told that none of the charter schools in our network have any because of budgeting issues. It really is up to the school to make one and unfortunately mine hasnt the funds for it.
Sometimes I forget that there are schools out there without a librarian, but a school without a library, wow, I guess I just never thought that was the case. I just assumed that there was some form of a library in all schools no matter how small the school or library. I'm learning all kinds of new things in this class :)
3) Studying pages 20-23 really helped me in developing a mission statement which I feel is brief but efficient in describing my school’s library media program. I tend to struggle with eliminating big, unnecessary words on written assignments. After reading the examples of before and after statements, the after mission statements are definitely more powerful than the longer statements. As others have said in their posts, it is also important to keep a mission statement up to date as our resources and services are constantly changing. After reading this chapter, I understand just how important a mission statement can be in expressing the value of a library program.
4) Collaboration is so important when it comes to student learning, so I really like how Wallace provides specific steps for developing a mission statement through collaboration (p. 18). I had not thought of including school board members, but how great would it be to have their input along with parents, students, and staff when developing a mission statement for the library program? Library services are used in a variety of ways by teachers, students and community members, so it is crucial to include their input when developing an effective mission statement.
I totally thought the same as you did when I read page 18. It hadn't even occured to me to go that far. We all use this service so why not involve everyone? I'm really excited to get into a library and involve all members of the community.
1) In "Mission Statements: Rhetoric, Reality or Road Map to Success", Mary Keeling writes "Mission statements are expected elements of business plans and corporate communication" (30). What are your thoughts on libraries as "businesses"? How does a library function as an organization that serves a customer and his/her needs? I agree that libraries are business. I already commented on this, but will do so again. We are called to serve and help the “customer” in any way we can. There are many different ways I serve my customers. One way is if a teacher requests a book or collection, I “deliver” them to their classroom. I remember how it was when I was in the regular classroom and it was always a great feeling to get something delivered to the classroom rather than to have to fetch it myself. Another thing I do is listen to the “customer” and read their suggestions in the “suggestion box.” Most of the times it might just be a request to order a certain book for the library, but other times there are other helpful suggestions. Another thing I feel I do to serve my “customer” is to do what they want me to do (to a certain extent.) For example, last week when a 2nd grade class came for their weekly library lesson the teacher asked for them to just check out really quickly, since they were behind on a lesson. Even though I felt my lesson was important, I had to put my pride to the side and listen to what my “customer” wanted.
4) On page 18 of the Libraries, Mission and Marketing text, Linda Wallace discusses the process of writing a mission statement with various members of the school community. How important is it to collaborate with faculty and staff, and other important figures to ensure that the library is serving the community and school fully with regards to its educational goals? I feel everything should be a team effort if possible. The more brains the better. I also feel it is important to collaborate with the faculty and staff to ask them what they expect and/or want from the library.
Cristofer - I love that your library has a suggestion box! I know my school put one in the teacher's workroom but it disappeared not too long after it was put in! We were under different leadership then - our new principal really loves to hear our suggestions and takes action on a lot of them. It really makes us know that she is listening and makes changes when she can. I think it would make the kids and teachers feel the same way about our library if they had a special place to offer suggestions! Thanks!! :)
I also like the "suggestion box" idea. That is something I would like have in my future library. Great idea! Businesses and doctor's offices also have them, why not in the library?
Cristofer, I think it is wonderful that you are already able to apply what we are learning in this class and are able to easily connect the to what you are already doing. Thanks for your wonderful examples and suggestions that we can all take away from this weeks lesson.
I'm definitely peanut butter and jealous that you are already working in a library. It's so awesome that you are getting to put what we are studying to use and making first hand connections.
3) Take a moment to look at pages 20-23 of the Libraries, Mission and Marketing text. What do the before and after Mission Statements tell you about the dynamic process of running a library and working towards living a certain mission?
I think the main point of pages 20-23 in the article is to illustrate how much better a simple statement can be versus one full of techno jargon and big words that some readers might now understand. Another point that is being made is that our mission statements need to change according to what works better since the last time we wrote the statement. Libraries are constantly changing to meet the needs of their patrons and with the diversity of our populations that is a continuous process of review. This week as we put the finishing touches on our own mission statements, I am sure that we need to start looking ahead to 6 months to a year from now, we will all need to pull them out and revise them at that point. Right now they are not based on the reality of working in an actual library, rather they are based on an imaginary library that we haven’t had the day-to-day responsibility for yet; even those of us lucky enough to be working, as a librarian will probably still need to revise ours as well. Our reality is such a fluid thing that as we change strategies to handle new requirements and requests, our visions of what we want our future to look like shift and change. Our mission statements should shift and change with us.
4) On page 18 of the Libraries, Mission and Marketing text, Linda Wallace discusses the process of writing a mission statement with various members of the school community. How important is it to collaborate with faculty and staff, and other important figures to ensure that the library is serving the community and school fully with regards to its educational goals?
It is always important to get as much input as possible in the input and approval stages of developing a mission statement. The mission statement should reflect as many view points as possible in order for everyone to feel ownership for the outcome. It is important for all faculty and staff in the school to have a feeling of ownership in the library because when they do, people will use the library and all of it resources and possibilities. When staff and faculty view the library as another teacher/librarian’s domain you get the same response as you would when you talk about another teacher’s classroom. If you are good friends you feel very comfortable going in and asking to borrow some of their ideas, books, websites, etc. On the other hand, if you aren’t the best of friends with that person you probably don’t even think about borrowing their stuff! Teachers and staff shouldn’t feel as if the library belongs to someone else. Everyone should feel as if the library is actually an extension of his or her own classroom. A place where you know you will be able to find those extra resources you need for that great lesson you just planned or that book you just know your struggling reader would love. In order for everyone to feel this way, they must be given a voice in the vision of what the library is and what it does. The only part that doesn’t need everyone working on it, as Wallace points out, is the actual writing of the statement. It isn’t easy to get a group of people to agree on ideas, let alone the actual words to describe them. Letting one or two people handle this part of the process is much more efficient.
Michelle, I really liked how you pointed out the need for simplicity in our mission statement. I like also the fact that you are looking ahead to when it would be a logical time to reflect on and revise your curent statement. Way to go on taking this to heart. :)
I think it's great that you pointed out that our jobs and what we do each day are so dynamic that one day we wont be doing the same job at all. It's so important that we keep learning and changing with the time so that even our mission statement can be fresh and purposeful for our patrons.
Question 2: When we look at our Mission Statement as having such a impactful roll in our day to day function, we give it much greater value. It is our assessment piece for ourselves and the canon by which we make our decisions. I plan on doing my best to bring my Library to the level of the mission statement I wrote by constantly collaborating with colleagues, teachers, principals, staff and students to ensure that the Library is functioning at its fullest capacity as well as researching and studying best practices on current developments in technology, policy, and materials in order to be relevant to the needs of the campus.
Question 3: Looking at the before and after statements, I see that there needs to be a constant level of reflection put into the mission of a library. The reflection is two fold. Are we accomplishing our mission, and is our mission appropriate to our population. It is an ever changing and ever growing mission that keeps the library focused on meeting the needs of its clientele.
Reflection is two fold. I am definitely stealing this thought. We do have to constantly think about whether we are doing our job and if our job is being done apporpriately to serve those that seek our guidance.
Jasmine, how often do you think we should review our mission statements? I know you mention "constant reflection..." but what does this mean on a person's calendar :)
Question #3 It tells me that the difference between a good and a great mission statement is a matter of editing. The before editing mission statement shows me a longer and more complex statement, the after editing mission statement shows a shorter and to the point statement. It’s a given that the statement should be understood by the changing and diverse needs of our community. A great mission statement should be clear, concise and direct, but give enough of the description of your mission and services to provide an accurate sense of your library’s fundamental purpose. Question #4 It is very important to collaborate with faculty, board members and administrators when writing your Library Mission Statement. Everyone who will be affected by it should play a part in writing it. This input is absolutely necessary to engender commitment. Having widespread involvement will slow the process, but in the end it will be of higher value.
Great discussions were had this week. Overall the class discussed each question with a practical lens and how we would go about exploring these issues in the future (and for some present) as budding librarians. Many agreed that Mission Statements were dynamic-living documents that need to be maintained on a frequent basis in order for our libraries to serve the needs of our "customers" over time. The notion of Mission Statements being the discourse necessary to keep our institutions alive was also explored along with constantly revising them to ensure functionality.
As future (and current) librarians we are faced with a career that demands us to change with the times to serve our students and community and keep them satisfied so as we are a continuing and vital organization. In order to do this it was agreed by many that partnerships and constant communication with various members of the community was absolutely necessary. Planning with teachers, conferring with board members and administrators, taking suggestions from students, and involving the community were some of the things discussed in regards to collaboration. After all we as a guide in education must be able to guide others into believing in what we strive to do, which is provide a knowledgeable and purposeful area for learning.
I would like to take this time to thank the following contributors for their posts and discussion points. Of course everyone did a great job and provided powerful insight; I just want to thank Lanna Wallace and Mandy Parker for always keeping the conversation going and adding great points in many different posts. I tried to add some badges here, but technology just wasn't working with me today, but rest assured, they have been awarded.
Thank you all for letting me be your blog host and I look forward to more great discussions.
Alright! We are rolling along and are now on week three! For this week we will all be focusing on Mission Statements and our CDP-1. So with that being said, the posts and discussions of what we do here will be geared towards that.
ReplyDeleteBefore I get to the actual questions there are some guidelines that need to be established:
1) Respond to at least two questions. You can pick both from one text or one from each, the combination is up to you.
2) Stay involved in one thread for two more days (both reading and contributing posts.
Ok, so now that's out of the way, here we go.
Brain Activity: Jot down a list of ten words you would imagine your library to be. List only ten and jot them down within a period of a minute or two. What do these words say about your future library? What do they say about you and the commitment you're willing to make in order to present your vision of the "perfect" library in your eyes? (This you can do on some paper, not post)
Discussion Question(s):
1) In "Mission Statements: Rhetoric, Reality or Road Map to Success", Mary Keeling writes "Mission statements are expected elements of business plans and corporate communication" (30). What are your thoughts on libraries as "businesses"? How does a library function as an organization that serves a customer and his/her needs?
2) Mary Keeling states that a Mission Statement is "...a communication device that reflects, affirms, and inspires while communicating the current reality of our practice" (35). What does this statement mean to you as a future librarian? In what ways do you hope to achieve your vision within your future library and how do you hope to communicate its importance?
3) Take a moment to look at pages 20-23 of the Libraries, Mission and Marketing text. What do the before and after Mission Statements tell you about the dynamic process of running a library and working towards living a certain mission?
4) On page 18 of the Libraries, Mission and Marketing text, Linda Wallace discusses the process of writing a mission statement with various members of the school community. How important is it to collaborate with faculty and staff, and other important figures to ensure that the library is serving the community and school fully with regards to its educational goals?
Something I learned: After reading all of these texts and really thinking about my campus and all its nuts and bolts; I've come to realize that what we do significantly matters on what we say we do. A mission statement is key to any organization in regards to how members of that organization see themselves and how the community sees them as well. It is not enough to say that "I am a teacher working at this high school" or "I am a librarian at XYZ". As active participants we have to specifically and purposefully engage in the discourse of communicating who we are and what we do. And we must do this constantly.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteJimmy,
ReplyDeleteYou got my brain going with the activity (the point, right :). While I was doing this, I remembered 2/3 of my school librarian interviews where principals asked me to share my "vision" in narrative form. Your quick, brain activity not only prepares us for creating our mission statement, it also prepares us for those big job interviews. Even more importantly, it helps us *get busy* envisioning a place where we can join students in changing the world.
Your final paragraph gave me *cold chills.* The inspiration kind, not the yikes kind:) As I think about our contact with our administrators and corporation leadership, I realize that they are much more interested in the rhetoric of the school - and not actually the day-to-day operations (sad, but true). When we have a *new* rhetoric that (re)envisions the school library, we alter administrators' mental model more successfully than even our practice (ugh, I hate writing it, but it's true in most cases). In some ways, this corporate mentality feels anti-American (where we pride ourselves in our work[person]ship and having *heart and soul* invested in our work (not using workmanship because of its roots in the patriarchy). I'm not saying these things (workpersonship and heart/soul investment) aren't important. But the more I'm near administration (and even spent a year and a half working towards my administration license), the more I realize they focus on the external... what *sounds* good - not what *is* good. In many of their minds (and yes, I'm generalizing), they don't have time for what *is* - just for what it *appears* to be.
This puts more pressure on us (and our mission statements!) to not just think libraries are important and to expect others to just "get" it. It puts pressure on us (like our cdp1 assignment requires us to do) to articulate how the library/librarian does something unique that no other space/person in the school can do. Y'all if we can't do this, then why should administrators preserve our jobs or keep the space "safe" from the encroaching needs of the school? All over the United States, school librarian positions are being cut and libraries are being used for other purposes... because as a profession (and as individuals) we couldn't articulate our unique and important work to our administrators and communities.
In short, Jimmy, thanks for leading us to use our imagination to (re)imagine our space and our roles. Because of people like you, I have hope for the future of our profession and that special place in our schools that we call "the library."
Hail to you, thou visionary (current and future) librarians! Hail to you!
~jmf
Julie
DeleteLast year I was horrified when I saw the Houston Chronicle story about a school district laying off their certified librarians to cut budgets. (http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/education/article/Ranks-of-school-librarians-dwindle-in-HISD-4876366.php#/0). Some of us in this class could be working on something (the CDP and our mission statement) that could potentially save our future jobs.
The more we join our administrators in what they do, and show them that we are teachers AND administrators, the better off we and all our library peeps will be!
DeleteSoooo sad about Houston. With such a great youth services center in the public library, I just don't get it. But I am failing you by not.It is my job as a professor, and all SL's job to get it. So we can CHANGE it.
Be the change.
Be the change. That's one of the many mottos here at my school. I think many people see that and agree but don't actually want to be the change. But it still stands, we can change it. I agree with your statement Lana, what we're doing here could potentially change our professional futures.
DeleteI have heard that some schools are turning to parent volunteers running the library. That tells me that many in the community think the only thing libraries and librarians do is check in and out books. Of course they will cut these positions if that is what they think. We aren't just the change, we are game changers in the field of education.
DeleteJimmy,
DeleteI love that motto! Be the change. Sometimes it is hard for people to be pushed out of their comfort zone. In order to make a difference you must be the change.
Lana, after being in the library part-time for the past 1.5 years, it has astounded me exactly what goes into running a library and being a librarian. I have often talked with our head librarian and asked her if I'm being any help. She always reassures me that if I had not been in the library, the things I got accomplished would not have been accomplished. Since I have entered the library, I have helped input at least 100 DVD movies into our system (which had been in boxes for years) and also helped review and put on the shelves about 8 boxes of books. The main thing I have learned is the library is more than just "checking out and checking in books." :o)
DeleteI am commenting on the two disccusion questions from the article published by Linda Wallace. That article really struck a cord with me, and made me go back and visit my CDP rough draft.
ReplyDeleteQuestion #3 response: The before and after mission statement examples tell me that the mission statement is a “living” statement that should evolve. As our world is constantly changing, our collections and the services we provide change also. Mission statements cannot be written once and then stuffed away in a binder to show once every ten years. Our statements give us as librarians direction to keep us valuable and indispensable to our community. It’s a roadmap, and they must be revisited frequently.
Question 4: It is so important to collaborate with faculty and staff. What use is a library if no one is going to use it because your mission takes it in a completely different direction than your patrons need? It is important for librarians to understand that not everyone sees and uses the library the same way we do. If you understand how your library is valued from multiple points of view, it will only help you tailor your library and its mission to your patron base. After reading this article, I am encouraged to ask my head of school, the other librarians I work with, and faculty from all three levels what they believe our mission is. This will weigh heavily on what I submit as my mission statement in my CDP1. I do get way too involved in the day to day operations of my library and teaching lessons to my students. I need to step back and “see the forest and the trees”. The forest is my mission statement: what drive me to serve my customers to the best of my ability. The trees are the tools and strategies I use to implement my mission.
I agree Lana, Mission Statements need to be out in the open and utilized daily and able to be amended as times change, just as our lesson plans guide our classrooms and need to be revised as new educational practices evolve, so should our mission statements. As librarians, our purpose is to provide our patrons the necessary skills needed to be successful in a constantly changing world, and to do that we must have a mission statement that is readily available.
DeleteLana,
DeleteDid you see that AASL just revised their mission statement? I'm glad our professional organization agrees with you about the "living" nature of mission statements.
Mission Statements are kind of liking working out and dieting if you think about it (hear me out). Usually when we diet we do so for the sake of being healthier and losing weight. After some time though, our bodies adjust and we no longer have the desired affect that we once had and we need to find a new diet. Same with exercise, after months of running your body will adjust and running will no longer cut it.
DeleteLike our mission statements and profession we have to constantly find a new way to work and also communicating what we are doing. Society today is volatile. Anything can change in any given moment and we must constantly be prepared to make a change for the public we serve.
Lana,
DeleteI agree that our mission statement must be changing and evolving just like the world around us. Change is always good, and in order to be effective librarians we must be willing to modify our mission statements. The last place a mission statement should be is "stored away". Our mission statement should serve as a roadmap guiding us to better serve our patrons.
I, too, agree that a mission statement is a living document. It has to meet the needs of the people using the library as well as those working in it. That population is always changing, thus the mission statement should change as well.
DeleteLana,
DeleteI really like how you referred to the mission statement as “living.” Keeping up with current developments can be a challenge as the world is constantly changing, but we must keep our collections and services up to date to best serve our students.
Lana,
DeleteYou hit it on the nose. This past year, my school modified our mission statement, so if a school does this, it definitely is necessary for a library.
Excellent thoughts Lana, I love that your answer to question 4 not only shows reflection, but a way of changing what you see you are missing. Collaboration on our mission really is an important part of making our libraries function at their highest levels. Something that we often miss.
DeleteI agree Lana that a mission statement should be stable over time, but it should also be adapted to meet the changing library environment.
DeleteQuestion #3 response: In looking at the before and after Mission Statements, it shows in the before statement that goals are more detailed and lengthy. The before statement still explains the mission, just in more depth. The after Mission Statement is more personalized. This statement breaks down the before statement and attempts to make it personal. Both the before and after mission statement serves the same purpose however and still explains running an effective library.
ReplyDeleteQuestion #4: When writing an effective mission statement, it is imperative to write others to make sure that these involved have an opportunity to contribute. Collaboration with stakeholders are very important because they too, will be utilizing the library as well. After everyone's ideas are gathered, then an effective mission statement can be written based on everyone's regard to educational goals.
Do you have any vision for a way to structure this, Jackie? Have you ever seen the "bottoms up" activity? I wouldn't call it that with teachers, but I like to do it to build consensus. And to teach folks the process.
DeleteWhat were you envisioning?
Speaking of be the change. I remember you talking about your school's adoption of the CC. It is cool when SLs can show their admin that major decisions like CC and mission statements and a million other things in schools need to have consensus not top down decisions. We can show them this process!
DeleteJackie, I am right there with you about how others should be invited to contribute. In the long run, I feel that people are more invested if they feel they have contributed. I know that I felt more invested in my school's mission after we, the faculty, was asked to contribute ideas for our new mission statement and vote for it last year. I can't see any reason why people wouldn't feel the same lending ideas to the library mission statement.
DeleteGreat Brain activity James!
ReplyDeleteQuestion # 1
In Mission Statements: Rhetoric, Reality or Road Map to Success", Mary Keeling writes "Mission statements are expected elements of business plans and corporate communication" (30). As I read this statement, it brought me back to my years in retail world. We were always reminded that “The customer comes first,” and everything we do should revolve around the customer, and promote products that will meet and satisfy their needs. I can see why Keeling relates Mission statements to business plans. We should then ask ourselves, who is our library customer? What are their needs and wants? They (library patrons/customers) should be our focus, and everything we do as librarians should revolve on meeting our patrons’ needs and wants as well. After all, we here to promote “products” to our patrons.
Question #4
I agree with Linda Wallace, in Libraries, Mission and Marketing, where she states to invite other members of the school community to provide ideas when writing a mission statement (18). She states that, “opening up the process allows fresh insights and a sense of ownership to emerge.” If the school community from staff, board members, students, and parents are allowed to participate, brainstorm, and give their suggestions for their library’s mission statement, it will be that much more valued and taken seriously. All contributors will have a sense of pride and more likely will remember it.
Sandra
Sandra,
DeleteSome librarians hate calling our students customers. What do you think? Others of you? Students, users, patrons, customers...what else do we call them?
I come from a retail background, so I'm not offended by calling folks customers. Would adopting this in all American school libraries change the way some librarians treat those who come in the doors? If everyone left with what they wanted/needed/feeling served, would our profession have better chances in this Century?
Sincerely your Wondering Professor
What about education in general? If all of our students left into the world feeling they were ready and taught everything they needed to know, what would education look like in the future?
DeleteSandra - I agree with you in having others in your community provide ideas. It seems to me that if your mission statement takes into account the different perspectives from your community, it will only make your library stronger and more valuable.
DeleteJames,
DeleteThe business world uses a business plan as a road map to outline their goals and how they plan to achieve those goals for their target market. Our Mission Statement should do just that for our target market: students, patrons, users, and "customers." What would happen if a business didn't adhere to its plan? Imagine if our Mission statements were as effective? Our "customers" would have their needs and wants met, and education would definitely take a whole different turn.
Julie Marie,
DeleteI completely agree that the patrons (students, parents, teachers, and staff) are our customers. I feel we are called to "serve" them in any way we can. One situation occurred just this past week in 2nd grade. I had a lesson planned for the class, but right before they were supposed to come in, I receive a phone call, "Mr. Mattern, I have decided to only send about 8 kids at a me today and forgo the library lesson." I simply said, "Sure, we can do that." As frustrating as it is at times (especially when we have parent volunteers wanting to see their kids) I always try to please the "customer."
It ain't easy, huh? But, it sounds like you'd make the Nordstrom Customer Service Managers PROUD :)
DeleteThank you Jimmy! You did a wonderful job and I like the way that you provided us with options.
ReplyDeleteResponse to-"Libraries, Mission, & Marketing-Writing Missions Statements That Work" By Linda K. Wallace
Questions # 3- What do the before and after Mission Statements tell you about the dynamic process of running a library and working towards living a certain mission?
Upon reflecting on the reading of the before and after mission statements, it validates the fact that a library mission statement will continue to be a work in progress and evolve throughout the years. As change is sure to occur, changes will have to be made in order to ensure that as the community changes, that our mission still supports the new needs of our patrons. What once was, may cease to be, and out with the old, and in with the new. As administrators do on a yearly basis with school improvement plans, we as soon to be librarians must be prepared and willing to accept that we must be willing to evaluate our missions and goals in order to determine if changes must be made in order to continue to provide a thriving environment for our community.
Question #4-How important is it to collaborate with faculty and staff, and other important figures to ensure that the library is serving the community and school fully with regards to its educational goals?
I think that it is very important to collaborate with faculty and staff as well as other figures, in order to help ensure that the library is meeting the educational needs of its community. As we all know it takes a village to raise a child, and in the educational school system this rings true. Being that I consider the library to be the heart of the school, everyone in the school should play an active role in providing input as far as what they believe the goals of their library should be. By actively providing input and partaking in the decision making process of establishing and creating goals, it develops an accountability system. A system in which everyone works cohesively in order to ensure that the goals are slowly but surely being met. In addition, it allows for a more actively involved school community that has the best interest of their students in mind.
-Yilsa DLS
Thanks!
DeleteYou mentioned that if we all collaborated we'd create a system in which goals are slowly but surely met. I think in the fast paced culture that we live in professionals are often inundated with requests for fast and immediate results. This includes education as well. I agree with you in that if we are to truly create something effective and purposeful it will take time and effort for it to grow and be a staple in the educational community. We just have to constantly work at it.
Exactly, Jimmy, you hit the nail right on the head....we live in such a fast paced culture that we all are just trying to survive day to day, and we tend to lose focus and forget that we are all in this together. Ideally we would love for a truly successful program to be in place overnight, but in order for it to become a reality, it will takes more than one person to accomplish that, and more time than we actually think. It must be chipped at slowly. "We" (meaning all faculty and staff, not just librarians) must be role models and "buy into" what we advocate to help promote the love and benefits of reading so students can develop a true understanding of its value and worth. Reflecting on this, has make me recall a quote that I use often with my 2nd graders (Don't know the author):
Delete"The only place where SUCCESS comes before WORK is in the dictionary"
-Yilsa DLS
Read “Libraries, Mission, & Marketing-Writing Mission Statements That Work” by: Linda K. Wallace
ReplyDeleteQuestion #3 Response: After reading over the before and after statements I realize how easy it can be to over complicate a mission statement. As a teacher, you are familiar with that vocabulary but the patrons we will be serving are not. I know when I read something that has too many “big word” I begin to lose interest quickly. Now I’m able to understand the reasoning behind the mission statements being simple and direct. A libraries mission statement must be short and descriptive in order to inspire and motivate its patrons.
Question #4 Response: As an educator, and future librarian I see and agree with the idea of collaborating with the faculty and staff and other individuals to better facilitate learning both in the library and in the classroom. As the saying goes, “Two heads are always better than one”. I believe the same concept applies when developing a mission statement. By collaborating with the faculty and staff you are able to get a better understanding of the needs of the clientele you will be serving. Simply by getting feedback from others will further aid you in the development of a mission statement that meets the needs of all patrons visiting the library. Teamwork is the best way to accomplish our goal of meeting the needs of children/students.
Melissa Robles
You said it, Teamwork. Without teamwork it is unlikely that we will reach the needs of our students and inspire the community.
DeleteMelissa - I really like how you describe the mission statement as something that will inspire our community. Isn't that exactly what we are charged with as educators to inspire our students to become life long learners and knowledge seekers? Can we can inspire our faculty by enhancing what they are doing in the classroom? I'm going to write the word INSPIRE on a post-it and stick it to my computer to remind myself everyday to inspire my community.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, your statement is well said.......INSPIRE!
DeleteI read “Libraries, Mission, and Marketing: Writing Mission Statements that Work” by: Linda Wallace
ReplyDeleteI know I am coming in a little late to the conversation, so I doubt my responses will be all that different. I do apologize for that.
Question #3: I read pages 20-23, and I think the before and after mission statements tell me that the process of running a library and working towards living a certain mission are dynamic- always changing to meet the needs of those the library serves. Once upon a time, it was necessary to have long, drawn out mission statements, but in today's time, shorter and easier to remember is better.
Question #4: I think it is important to collaborate with faculty, staff, and other important school figures to ensure that the library is meeting its educational goals because the library is an important fixture in the school. Everyone who uses it should be able to provide input to how the library helps to meet their educational goals. Also, (and I am pretty sure I may have already said this in a reply) people are more likely to make an effort to make things work if they feel they contributed in some way. People want to be invested, more often than not, in something to make the learning process better for all involved.
But isn't it awesome though, that to some degree we are all on the same page? I know a variety of statements and questions is always welcomed, but I genuinely feel that coming all to a consensus on our own without discussing before hand is great.
DeleteYes, it is awesome that we are all on the same page. It gives a feeling, at least for me anyway, that we're not really going at this alone. That there are others out there who get it.
DeleteI agree with you about how as times have changed so have mission statements. It made me think about when we are using a new strategy in math, the kids are very precise and try to follow every step of the process, they are very stiff and formal about it. As they gain confidence with the strategy they get comfortable and actually adjust to make it their own, and make it work more efficiently for them. I think the same is true for the whole business of mission statements. Mission statements have been around for a while, but not forever, and I think they are fairly new to schools (when compared to retail or other "business" sectors). When they were first used people felt the need to include every word, and the bigger the better because they sounded more important that way. Now that we are finally comfortable with them, I think we have realized that we can relax the wording so they are more accessible to others and they are even more powerful! :)
DeleteRight? I can remember being in high school (the same where I teach now), and there was a giant copy of the mission statement hanging in the cafeteria. It was long, and used so many words. Last year, the faculty re-wrote the mission statement, and it is four words: Empowering lives through learning. Those four words are so simple, but encompass so much.
DeleteI bet you didn't even have to go back to the cafeteria to make sure you had it right before you typed it into your reply! :):) That is where the power comes from - it connects and people remember. Even when you aren't thinking about it, it is still in the back of your mind connecting to events that prove the statement is true! Every time a student earns a scholarship, receives some type of recognition for an achievement, or acknowledges any of the other million ways their lives are better for having the knowledge they acquired while at school, they can relate it back to that mission statement!
DeleteThe mission at our school is written everywhere and I really mean everywhere. It's even in each and everyone of our classrooms. Even as a joke sometimes we say it when a kid doesnt want to comply or is just having a bad day. But at the end of the day when the senior class has 300 plus college accepteance letters, we just have to nod when we hear or say "To and through college". That's the mission statement. Just four words.
DeleteOurs is everywhere too, including the backs of the faculty shirts for the last two years. :)
DeleteMandy, it's not all that different from the AASL mission (the most recent version of it).
DeleteThank you Jimmy for these thought provoking questions!
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: Libraries as a business? I agree that libraries operate as a business. Similar to a business especially if serving the public, it has operating hours and the need for a clear system to run the day to day operations. Because we are serving the school and community the library has to be aware of the needs of its customers. The customer being any stakeholder within the school community. The school district I work in has made the idea of customer service a priority within the school system.
Question #4: It is extremely important to collaborate with faculty, staff and community. The library can not be seen as a separate entity. It is a vital part of the school. Just like each part of the body has a specific function, the many parts work together as one. I have had the privilege of being part of a leadership team this year at my school where we discuss school agenda. Each person has been able to share ideas and concerns and it is interesting because of the diversity of the group we have been able to come up with solid plans on how to address the needs of our students. Through this collaboration, I believe a lot can be accomplished.
You are most welcome!
DeleteI defininitely share your views with the library being similar to a business. We definitely have a large amount of people to serve and satisfy on a day to day basis. And the customer's as stake holders to our community, right on. Without them we dont have a business to operate and we lose an important aspect to our educational system.
Question #2 response: As a new librarian with no policy/mission statement currently in place, I want my mission statement to convey to my “customers” exactly what the library is to our school. I don’t want it to just be fancy words, but a true representation of the overall mood or feel of the library. If this communication statement can truly reflect the atmosphere of the library then patrons should feel good about coming in the library and hopefully inspire the students.
ReplyDeleteQuestion #4 response: I really took this part to heart from the readings. I immediately went back to my campus this week and asked my fellow colleagues what their thoughts were about the library in relation to our school. I asked each of them to tell me in 2-3 words how they envision the library. It was a great experience to hear other people’s thoughts and ideas. Some of the things I heard I had not thought of so it was interesting to get their perspectives. I also felt like it gave my co-workers some ownership in what should be said about “our” school library.
I always enjoy talking to others about what we do for the community and hearing what they have to say. It always gives me some fresh insight as to why I wake up every morning. I'm glad you had the oppurtunity to go and talk with your colleagues, I might have to do the same (except I'll ask mine if they think my school should even have one, because we dont.)
DeleteAmy, I bet your conversations (related to your response on Q4 above) really helped your work on cpd1. I can't wait to read your work!
DeleteI think I may be the only one who works in a school with no library. Anyone else have this issue?
ReplyDeleteI don't have that issue, but I just can't imagine a school without a library. Even before starting grad school, I spent a great deal of time in my school's library. It's like home away from home and classroom.
DeleteI'm very thankful to have a library in our school. Children really enjoy being able to just go and read. Couldn't imagine being without one.
DeleteI'm thankful to have a library in our school. Our students really enjoy going once a week. The students are allowed to go to the library to take AR Reading test. They really love it.
DeleteSo sorry Jimmy, what a sad situation, but on a positive note, you can be the change that you want to be seen in the world...you can be the driving force that can bring a much needed change for the benefit of your school and community.
Delete-Yilsa DLS
I really can't believe a school would have no library. My students always tell me how much they love coming to the library and getting new books. I love sharing new books and different genres with them.
DeleteThat's a very situation. How do students find books to read outside of the classroom? What age level is your school?
DeleteI am with Christofer in wondering how this impacts your school. Is there something in place in the school that acts as a substitute, or online material for students to access when doing research and assignments? What is the justification in having no Library?
DeleteI teach high school. Another teacher and I got some books together in one classroom and managed to supply some 10th graders (he did a go fund me account) with books of their choice, but that's it. We have a computer lab and a few mobile computer/ipad carts for research but it's such a hassle trying to tear them away from two or three teachers. When I ask why there is no library I'm told that none of the charter schools in our network have any because of budgeting issues. It really is up to the school to make one and unfortunately mine hasnt the funds for it.
DeleteEvery school has the funds. It's how they CHOOSE to spend the funds. Priorities, no? :(
DeleteSometimes I forget that there are schools out there without a librarian, but a school without a library, wow, I guess I just never thought that was the case. I just assumed that there was some form of a library in all schools no matter how small the school or library. I'm learning all kinds of new things in this class :)
ReplyDeleteOops, sorry, I meant for this comment to be a reply to the post before.
DeleteGreat discussion ideas, Jimmy!
ReplyDelete3) Studying pages 20-23 really helped me in developing a mission statement which I feel is brief but efficient in describing my school’s library media program. I tend to struggle with eliminating big, unnecessary words on written assignments. After reading the examples of before and after statements, the after mission statements are definitely more powerful than the longer statements. As others have said in their posts, it is also important to keep a mission statement up to date as our resources and services are constantly changing. After reading this chapter, I understand just how important a mission statement can be in expressing the value of a library program.
4) Collaboration is so important when it comes to student learning, so I really like how Wallace provides specific steps for developing a mission statement through collaboration (p. 18). I had not thought of including school board members, but how great would it be to have their input along with parents, students, and staff when developing a mission statement for the library program? Library services are used in a variety of ways by teachers, students and community members, so it is crucial to include their input when developing an effective mission statement.
Megan,
DeleteI totally thought the same as you did when I read page 18. It hadn't even occured to me to go that far. We all use this service so why not involve everyone? I'm really excited to get into a library and involve all members of the community.
1) In "Mission Statements: Rhetoric, Reality or Road Map to Success", Mary Keeling writes "Mission statements are expected elements of business plans and corporate communication" (30). What are your thoughts on libraries as "businesses"? How does a library function as an organization that serves a customer and his/her needs?
ReplyDeleteI agree that libraries are business. I already commented on this, but will do so again. We are called to serve and help the “customer” in any way we can. There are many different ways I serve my customers. One way is if a teacher requests a book or collection, I “deliver” them to their classroom. I remember how it was when I was in the regular classroom and it was always a great feeling to get something delivered to the classroom rather than to have to fetch it myself. Another thing I do is listen to the “customer” and read their suggestions in the “suggestion box.” Most of the times it might just be a request to order a certain book for the library, but other times there are other helpful suggestions. Another thing I feel I do to serve my “customer” is to do what they want me to do (to a certain extent.) For example, last week when a 2nd grade class came for their weekly library lesson the teacher asked for them to just check out really quickly, since they were behind on a lesson. Even though I felt my lesson was important, I had to put my pride to the side and listen to what my “customer” wanted.
4) On page 18 of the Libraries, Mission and Marketing text, Linda Wallace discusses the process of writing a mission statement with various members of the school community. How important is it to collaborate with faculty and staff, and other important figures to ensure that the library is serving the community and school fully with regards to its educational goals?
I feel everything should be a team effort if possible. The more brains the better. I also feel it is important to collaborate with the faculty and staff to ask them what they expect and/or want from the library.
Cristofer - I love that your library has a suggestion box! I know my school put one in the teacher's workroom but it disappeared not too long after it was put in! We were under different leadership then - our new principal really loves to hear our suggestions and takes action on a lot of them. It really makes us know that she is listening and makes changes when she can. I think it would make the kids and teachers feel the same way about our library if they had a special place to offer suggestions! Thanks!! :)
DeleteCristopher,
DeleteI also like the "suggestion box" idea. That is something I would like have in my future library. Great idea! Businesses and doctor's offices also have them, why not in the library?
Our school has a suggestion box but I don't think no one considered having one specifically for the library. That is a great idea!
DeleteCristofer, I think it is wonderful that you are already able to apply what we are learning in this class and are able to easily connect the to what you are already doing. Thanks for your wonderful examples and suggestions that we can all take away from this weeks lesson.
DeleteI'm definitely peanut butter and jealous that you are already working in a library. It's so awesome that you are getting to put what we are studying to use and making first hand connections.
Delete3) Take a moment to look at pages 20-23 of the Libraries, Mission and Marketing text. What do the before and after Mission Statements tell you about the dynamic process of running a library and working towards living a certain mission?
ReplyDeleteI think the main point of pages 20-23 in the article is to illustrate how much better a simple statement can be versus one full of techno jargon and big words that some readers might now understand. Another point that is being made is that our mission statements need to change according to what works better since the last time we wrote the statement.
Libraries are constantly changing to meet the needs of their patrons and with the diversity of our populations that is a continuous process of review. This week as we put the finishing touches on our own mission statements, I am sure that we need to start looking ahead to 6 months to a year from now, we will all need to pull them out and revise them at that point. Right now they are not based on the reality of working in an actual library, rather they are based on an imaginary library that we haven’t had the day-to-day responsibility for yet; even those of us lucky enough to be working, as a librarian will probably still need to revise ours as well.
Our reality is such a fluid thing that as we change strategies to handle new requirements and requests, our visions of what we want our future to look like shift and change. Our mission statements should shift and change with us.
4) On page 18 of the Libraries, Mission and Marketing text, Linda Wallace discusses the process of writing a mission statement with various members of the school community. How important is it to collaborate with faculty and staff, and other important figures to ensure that the library is serving the community and school fully with regards to its educational goals?
It is always important to get as much input as possible in the input and approval stages of developing a mission statement. The mission statement should reflect as many view points as possible in order for everyone to feel ownership for the outcome. It is important for all faculty and staff in the school to have a feeling of ownership in the library because when they do, people will use the library and all of it resources and possibilities. When staff and faculty view the library as another teacher/librarian’s domain you get the same response as you would when you talk about another teacher’s classroom. If you are good friends you feel very comfortable going in and asking to borrow some of their ideas, books, websites, etc. On the other hand, if you aren’t the best of friends with that person you probably don’t even think about borrowing their stuff! Teachers and staff shouldn’t feel as if the library belongs to someone else. Everyone should feel as if the library is actually an extension of his or her own classroom. A place where you know you will be able to find those extra resources you need for that great lesson you just planned or that book you just know your struggling reader would love. In order for everyone to feel this way, they must be given a voice in the vision of what the library is and what it does.
The only part that doesn’t need everyone working on it, as Wallace points out, is the actual writing of the statement. It isn’t easy to get a group of people to agree on ideas, let alone the actual words to describe them. Letting one or two people handle this part of the process is much more efficient.
Michelle, I really liked how you pointed out the need for simplicity in our mission statement. I like also the fact that you are looking ahead to when it would be a logical time to reflect on and revise your curent statement. Way to go on taking this to heart. :)
DeleteI think it's great that you pointed out that our jobs and what we do each day are so dynamic that one day we wont be doing the same job at all. It's so important that we keep learning and changing with the time so that even our mission statement can be fresh and purposeful for our patrons.
DeleteQuestion 2:
ReplyDeleteWhen we look at our Mission Statement as having such a impactful roll in our day to day function, we give it much greater value. It is our assessment piece for ourselves and the canon by which we make our decisions. I plan on doing my best to bring my Library to the level of the mission statement I wrote by constantly collaborating with colleagues, teachers, principals, staff and students to ensure that the Library is functioning at its fullest capacity as well as researching and studying best practices on current developments in technology, policy, and materials in order to be relevant to the needs of the campus.
Question 3:
Looking at the before and after statements, I see that there needs to be a constant level of reflection put into the mission of a library. The reflection is two fold. Are we accomplishing our mission, and is our mission appropriate to our population. It is an ever changing and ever growing mission that keeps the library focused on meeting the needs of its clientele.
Reflection is two fold. I am definitely stealing this thought. We do have to constantly think about whether we are doing our job and if our job is being done apporpriately to serve those that seek our guidance.
DeleteGreat responses.
DeleteJasmine, how often do you think we should review our mission statements? I know you mention "constant reflection..." but what does this mean on a person's calendar :)
DeleteQuestion #3
ReplyDeleteIt tells me that the difference between a good and a great mission statement is a matter of editing. The before editing mission statement shows me a longer and more complex statement, the after editing mission statement shows a shorter and to the point statement. It’s a given that the statement should be understood by the changing and diverse needs of our community. A great mission statement should be clear, concise and direct, but give enough of the description of your mission and services to provide an accurate sense of your library’s fundamental purpose.
Question #4
It is very important to collaborate with faculty, board members and administrators when writing your Library Mission Statement. Everyone who will be affected by it should play a part in writing it. This input is absolutely necessary to engender commitment. Having widespread involvement will slow the process, but in the end it will be of higher value.
Editing and revisiting writing is key. Looks like we'll all be looking at our Mission statements over and over and over again.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGreat discussions were had this week. Overall the class discussed each question with a practical lens and how we would go about exploring these issues in the future (and for some present) as budding librarians. Many agreed that Mission Statements were dynamic-living documents that need to be maintained on a frequent basis in order for our libraries to serve the needs of our "customers" over time. The notion of Mission Statements being the discourse necessary to keep our institutions alive was also explored along with constantly revising them to ensure functionality.
ReplyDeleteAs future (and current) librarians we are faced with a career that demands us to change with the times to serve our students and community and keep them satisfied so as we are a continuing and vital organization. In order to do this it was agreed by many that partnerships and constant communication with various members of the community was absolutely necessary. Planning with teachers, conferring with board members and administrators, taking suggestions from students, and involving the community were some of the things discussed in regards to collaboration. After all we as a guide in education must be able to guide others into believing in what we strive to do, which is provide a knowledgeable and purposeful area for learning.
I would like to take this time to thank the following contributors for their posts and discussion points. Of course everyone did a great job and provided powerful insight; I just want to thank Lanna Wallace and Mandy Parker for always keeping the conversation going and adding great points in many different posts. I tried to add some badges here, but technology just wasn't working with me today, but rest assured, they have been awarded.
Thank you all for letting me be your blog host and I look forward to more great discussions.
Jimmy