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ErikaCarlson
StephanieShteirman
ILS562
25September2014
MentorLibrarianQuestionnaire

Introduction:
OnThursday,September25,2014,ImetwiththeShermanSchoolLibraryMediaCenter
librarian,AnneKrieg,toconductaquestionnaireregardingtheschoolslibrarymediaprogram
aspartoftheModuleThreeAssignmentforILS562.Thesessiontookplaceattheendofthe
schooldayinthelibrarymediacenter.
ResponsetoQuestionnaire:
Ms.Kriegsinitialresponsetothefirstquestionregardingthecentercomparedtoothers
inthedistrictwasoneofamusement,beingthattheShermanSchoolistheonlyschoolinthe
townandtherefore,Ms.Kriegsaid,ofcoursewearethebestindistrict.Whenprobedalittle
furthertothinkabouthowtheschoolslibrarymediacentercomparestopossiblythetown
libraryschildrenssection,Ms.Kriegstillfeltthattheschoolslibrarymediacenterwasthebest
indistrict.Shejustifiedthisargumentbyexplainingthattheneedsaredifferentforthetowns
childrenslibrarysectionascomparedtotheschoolsmediacenter.Shefeltstronglythatthe
schoolsmediacenterofferedamorecomprehensivecollectionintermsofprovidingarangeof
multipleperspectivematerialswithenoughcopiestoservethestudentsandteachersneeds.

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Ms.Kriegwasalsoproudthattheschoollibrarymediacenterofferswellmorethan
fifteenbooksperstudent,infact,accordingtohercalculations,shebelievesthenumberiscloser
tofiftyperstudent,especiallysincetherecentdipinschoolpopulation.Throughconservation,
Ms.Kriegrevealedthatshefeltverystronglythattheschoolsmediacenterishighinrankings
whenitcomestoservingchildren.Sheisconfidentthatthethelibrarymediacentersupports
curriculumandthatitisusedbothinschoolandathomebymorethanfiftypercentofthe
studentpopulation.Shefeelsstronglythatsheplaysanintegralpartincurriculumcommittees
andlooksforwardtothistimetogetupdatesfromclassroomteachersonwhatishappeningin
theclassroomandhowshecansupportthem.Sheisperceptivetothenotionthatstudents,
especiallyingradesfourandfiveenjoythelibrarytothefullest.Theyoftencomeinforrecess
andseveralhavesigneduptoworksasassistantsonceaweek,helpingoutwithshelving,
pencilsharpening,andcleaning,sinceshelostherfulltimeassistantduetobudgetarycuts.
Nonetheless,Ms.Kriegisfullyawarethatotheraspectsofthemediacenterareweak.
Shefeelsfrustratedatthelackofcollaborationthattakesplacewithclassroomteachers.She
feelssheisoftenfishingoutwhatishappeningintheclassroomsandthatteachersreallydonot
haveampletimetocollaborate.Sheisalsofrustratedwiththerigidscheduleofclasses.
StudentsinK5attendalibraryclasstwiceduringasixdayrotation,whichdoesnotprovideher
withtimetoworkwithteachersorgointoclassroomstosupportresearch.Shealsofeelsapinch
intechnology.Althoughthemediacenterhasseveraldesktopcomputers,Ms.Kriegsharedher
frustrationsthatalmosthalfdonotworkproperlyandthatsheisalwaysonthebottomofthelist
intermsofgettingthemlookedatbythetechnologydirector.Onthecuttingedgeoftechnology
isaweakspotforMs.Kriegandfreelyadmitsshehasahardtimekeepinguptodateand

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contributingtothechildrenslibraryeducationinthisdepartment.Shewishessheknewmore,
butdoesnotalwaysseeeyetoeyewiththetechnologydirector,thus,shedoesnotlearntoo
muchthatcanbeofferedtothestudentsintechnology.
Finally,Ms.Kriegsharedherthoughtsonthesentimentthatalthoughshedoesnotserve
theschoolinthebestwaysheseesfit,sheunderstandsthemanyhandsadministrationmustwork
withandknowsthattheydotheirbesttomeettheneedsofthestudents.Sheisgratefulforher
jobandcommentedaboutgoingthroughawalkthroughandobservationofapublicschoolin
NewHavenwhenshewasattendingSouthernConnecticutStateUniversityforlibrarymedia
certification,andthatthelibrary,whichhadbeennonexistentforyears,wassetupinold
bathroomsthatusedthestallstocreatedifferentaislesforshelving.Hercomment,itwashorrid
andhumblingputthingsinperspectivewhensheisunabletogetherdesiresmetinregardsto
theShermanSchoolsLibraryMediaCenter.Ms.Kriegconcludedourquestionnaire
conversationbystating,Igettowalkintoabeautifulschoolandabeautifullibrarymedia
centerwiththebasicfunctionsthatIneedtoprovideadecentprogramforthesekids.Iampretty
lucky.

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WorksCited
Krieg,Anne.Personalinterview.25September2014.