What is Professionalism? 
| Our Professional Image with Parents |
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by Patsy Divver The following is an email reply from one of our members, and presents another view of our professional behavior: “Faculty and students may see your professional side, but do parents? Show parents the value of a professional librarian on staff by offering an afternoon and/or evening session to highlight library resources. I call the sessions I give "Homework Helpers" as a way to help parents direct their student to quality resources. The library homepage is highlighted as the portal for everything beside Google. Hands-on use of the library catalog and online databases are much appreciated by the parents who do attend. Those same committed parents are more likely to direct their students to the library resources when the woes of a research project are causing tantrums at home. I have found that scheduling an afternoon or evening when there is a sports game has been successful in drawing parents who are already at the school. By showcasing your resources and library, parents get to see and appreciate a true professional--you!” Submitted by Leslie Schoenherr, at the Lexington Christian Academy This suggestion connects to a number of situations where we may overlook the value of parents as ‘library promoters’. Whereas we have numbers of volunteers in elementary school, the middle/high school involvement for parents tends to dwindle. Leslie’s suggestion of inviting parents to review library resources is excellent. If you have Open House events in the fall, offer the library as a meeting place to showcase your products, as well. Although our high school open houses used the ‘library’ slot as a breathing/coffee spot, we had our webpage up on the computers, students available to demonstrate programs, and displays of all curriculum-connected library projects. Don’t forget a sign-in sheet for potential volunteers. With supportive parents, you will get that additional voice at school and town committee meetings. In addition, you may find support in places you never thought to look. One of my strongest volunteers was a Parent Rep for us at Legislative Day. She was so impressed with everything that she invited me to the Democratic Committee meeting, so I could explain the school library to the members. (Keep in mind that some folks still recall days of Nancy Pearl’s action figure librarian!) Once again, it’s a matter of keeping everyone up to date on your library – and you! |
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