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.
Showing posts with label Ofsted. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ofsted. Show all posts
Monday, 6 September 2010
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Student LRC Assistants first week
What a week! Our programme of student LRC assistants has started. I'd prepared by sending them training notes including the tasks they'll be doing and exercises about how the shelves are arranged, and I made sure the rest of my team knew who is coming when and what they'll be doing.
On the whole I've been really really happy with the students that've been in this week. I was expecting seven: one was a no show, one was late so I'll see if she's late again next week. All the rest of the students came with a great attitude, happy for the opportunity and wanting to do extra hours which I might take them up on!
Writing the training notes and training the students in person was interesting. Usually working in libraries your colleagues know the terminology (strict shelf checking, shelf mark, spine label etc) even though there are local differences between libraries or sectors. In this situation I've got to consider that they are 16-19, possibly have never had a job before never mind a library job and there are ESOL factors to take into account. Interestingly, I had anticipated that the easiest task to give them would be doing a book move (very straightforward, we're just moving all our stock round because we've got a free bay) but this is the task that without fail the students have not understood! I thought it was me explaining it badly, but on Thursday my manager trained the volunteer as I was elsewhere and she said the same thing.
I've been careful to emphasise with the students that they need to be aware of health and safety (manual lifting, being aware of people using the space while they are doing tasks) and that if at any point they don't feel safe or comfortable doing a task or in the space to speak to me straight away.
So far the project has been time consuming, but I'm sure it'll pay off once the student assistants are confident with their tasks and can just come in and get on with it. On the plus side it looks like the student volunteers will be able to strict shelf tidy our entire collection each week which is fantastic, as we are so busy that we rarely get the chance to do any of it.
Next week we've got Ofsted in for 24 hours including our open evening, so that should be another exciting week! The whole college is busy putting up displays and getting the students (and staff!) on their best behaviour.
On the whole I've been really really happy with the students that've been in this week. I was expecting seven: one was a no show, one was late so I'll see if she's late again next week. All the rest of the students came with a great attitude, happy for the opportunity and wanting to do extra hours which I might take them up on!
Writing the training notes and training the students in person was interesting. Usually working in libraries your colleagues know the terminology (strict shelf checking, shelf mark, spine label etc) even though there are local differences between libraries or sectors. In this situation I've got to consider that they are 16-19, possibly have never had a job before never mind a library job and there are ESOL factors to take into account. Interestingly, I had anticipated that the easiest task to give them would be doing a book move (very straightforward, we're just moving all our stock round because we've got a free bay) but this is the task that without fail the students have not understood! I thought it was me explaining it badly, but on Thursday my manager trained the volunteer as I was elsewhere and she said the same thing.
I've been careful to emphasise with the students that they need to be aware of health and safety (manual lifting, being aware of people using the space while they are doing tasks) and that if at any point they don't feel safe or comfortable doing a task or in the space to speak to me straight away.
So far the project has been time consuming, but I'm sure it'll pay off once the student assistants are confident with their tasks and can just come in and get on with it. On the plus side it looks like the student volunteers will be able to strict shelf tidy our entire collection each week which is fantastic, as we are so busy that we rarely get the chance to do any of it.
Next week we've got Ofsted in for 24 hours including our open evening, so that should be another exciting week! The whole college is busy putting up displays and getting the students (and staff!) on their best behaviour.
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