Day 20

My last day at HSES is bittersweet.  I have enjoyed learning with my mentor this semester and also working with the students and teachers.  I feel that I have grown in so many ways and added new tools to my librarian toolbox.  Thanks to Mrs. E I have mastered book talks.  This was an area that I felt really uncomfortable with, but I learned not to make it harder than it is.  Read the books, and talk about them.  It's that simple.  If I enjoy something about the book, it is easy to "sell" it to the students.  I have also learned a great deal about collection development and budgeting.  Weeding is hard, but necessary and adding to a collection requires much careful consideration.  Not only do you consider students' interests, but also the needs of teachers and curriculum support.  Once you have that information, you must find and review materials to make sure that the items you purchase are appropriate and beneficial.  Through my work with my mentor, I also have a plan for managing next year's budget.  Keeping a file for each account with copies of invoices and purchase orders will help with future orders and ensure that I spend all of the money by the deadline.  This has been an absolutely wonderful experience, and I am so thankful to my principal, my mentor, and her principal for supporting me in this process.