We've been in the newly refurbished LRC for a week now. We're still ironing out little problems but we are just about there. My new part time member of staff has joined the team now which has allowed me to sort out rotas etc. Thankfully she is lovely and has lots of experience so she's been able to hit the ground running to some extent.
Last week was admin week so I had the chance to meet lots of the teaching staff as they called in to see how the refurb went. I've also been into two team meetings to promote the LRC, discuss the Independent Learning Sessions and the inductions. Speaking to a group of teachers is a bit nerve-wracking (as they are the experts at speaking to a group!) but I'm getting more comfortable with it.
The inductions have been fully planned and discussed with my team. The first sessions will be run tomorrow morning. The Independent Learning Sessions are also starting to take shape which is pleasing. They will begin running next Monday, I'm sure it'll be trial and error but the purpose and real value of them is becoming clearer which makes it easier to get teaching staff on board and to work out how to measure it.
It has all been somewhat overwhelming but exciting. I've had a lot to do but I'm making good progress and forming good relationships with other departments which is helping. That said, things can always be worse. I came in to college last Friday thinking 'my god, I've got so much to do, how will I cope?' and by lunchtime we were informed that Ofsted are coming in three weeks. So I've now got that to anticipate and prepare for.
I've been a bit negligent with Twitter and my RSS feeds while all this has been going on. I went back on today and am so impressed to see that in a week the need for action over the crisis in misrepresentation of public libraries has gone from a discussion to a campaign. I have so much respect for those who have taken the time to put together Voices for the Library. I'd love to get involved once I'm on the other side of Ofsted.
