What great librarians do

I was given a book to read by the literacy coach at my school. Even though not all members of this class will choose school librarianship I believe this book has some valuable strategies. We are in a profession that is based on our interaction with the public. The book What Great Teachers Do Differently has fourteen things Dr. Whitaker considers best practices when dealing with parents and students. I believe these same techniques could be readily applied to library patrons.

The book What Great Teachers (librarians) Do Differently is a book of exploration of what author Todd Whitaker considers best practices in several areas. The book explores the importance teacher ( librarian) attitude in every aspect of teaching( serving patrons) The book points out the importance people over programs. There are no magic programs that will fix all the ills in any classroom (library). Dr. Whitaker reminds us as educators it is our choice how we interact with students, parents (patrons)and fellow teachers(librarians). It is imperative that we make those we interact with feel valued and important. Great teachers (librarians) are proactive not reactive. They set high expectations for their students (patrons) but more important they set high expectation for themselves. The most effective teachers (librarians) are quiet agents of change. Great teachers (librarians)realize the perceptions of the school (library) depends not on test scores (programs) but teachers (librarian) interactions with students and parents(patrons). The most effective teachers (librarians)maintain a positive attitude all the time with all the students(patrons). Great teachers(librarians) exist in every school(library). The message that resounded throughout this book the key to being a great teacher (librarian) lies solely with the teacher (librarian).