Compare Elementary to Secondary Experience

The secondary librarians spend far less time with the students than at the elementary level. Middle and high school students are more independent learners and use the library more as an extension of the core curriculum than a class. With the collections on this level being far greater, up to twice then the elementary, there is far greater library maintenance required. It was good to experience the tasks that my clerk often does and I wonder about. Knowing how to repair books, process books and periodicals and such are helpful.

Ninth graders use the library the most in the high schools but the usage in the middle was pretty shared across the board at the middle and elementary levels. However only elementary had scheduled classes whereas the middle and high had flex scheduling. At times the middle and high libraries will have 5 classes using the space at the same time.

Middle and high school teachers are more likely to send their students to google then elementary. In elementary there is a far great push to use reliable sources for research than google. Since students are expected to know the research skills by middle school far less time is spent teaching them and more emphasis is put on doing the actual research.

Book lists are very important in the high schools as there are never enough computers for all the students using the library. With so many classes in at the same time it makes sense for the students to use hard copy of the online book lists. The librarians at the high school level have worked long and hard with the core teachers to create these book lists that work with the curriculum. By keeping them attached to the lesson plans they have collaborated on students are easily able to gather their required reading materials.

The elementary students require far more attention and hands on assistance. Much of the librarians job has to do with teaching how to use: the library, research tools, technology, and book design.

With far greater size of patrons and teachers it is much more difficult getting to know all the teachers in the middle and high school levels.