Program Administrator

One of the first things you should do as a new school librarian is familiarize yourself with your materials collection. Does it contain a lot of dated materials? Is it very strong in one area and very weak in others? Do a large amount of materials go unread, even if they are recent additions? What do students and teachers actually want from the school library? Once you figure these things out you can begin adding and subtracting from the collection as you see fit.

Forming meaningful partnerships is not limited to just teachers and students, it also means becoming familiar with stakeholders, local business and other school libraries. These include the local government, youth organizations, museums and potential library-focused philanthropists. Many school libraries lack the funding they need to reach their full potential; knowing who to go to for assistance in your community can be a great aid.

Accessing and becoming familiar with the school's budget is another important first step for every school librarian; no two are the same as they are all unique to the school's needs. Whatever your budget is, be it plentiful or sparse, know what you have to work with, and who is in charge of making the budget, so you know directly who to go to with questions and concerns. Outside funding is also an option for increasing your budget, if your school has no room for change.

Although there will be times where funds are low and resources seem scarce, problems can often be solved by taking inventory of what you DO have, and getting creative with it. Do not be afraid to try something new and push boundaries; while tried and true methods are comfortable, even small, incremental changes can long-term positive effects.