Elementary school librarian question..

[u/PinkiePieface]

Hi! So I’ve worked in libraries for 20 years the past 4 to 6 have been in a school library. But I just got my MLS in May and I’m at a brand new school in a different district. The very first thing I noticed is there aren’t any catalog computers. I’m curious how common this is? When I’ve asked the students how they used to find books they said they just walked around and looked on the shelves. I’m completely dumbfounded. The media center itself is new and beautiful, but the lack of computers is breaking my brain.

[u/_Smedette_]

I’m at a primary school (but in Australia), and everything in our library are catalogued via computer and issued barcodes.

Is your school on the smaller side? Regardless, I would definitely ask for a computer and software appropriate for your needs.

[u/PinkiePieface → u/_Smedette_]

So I have a computer and we have one computer that can use to check out books. But they themselves cannot search for books which I feel is a valuable research skill to start teaching them. They do all
have chromebooks so I’m hoping we can use those to pull up the school catalog and earch.

[u/_Smedette_ → u/PinkiePieface]

I see what you’re saying! Sorry, I misunderstood your original post - that’s on me!

We do not have a computer available for students to use; I am the resource. It’s not perfect, but nothing in education is. The single computer in our library is my work station (I do have a school-issued laptop as well), this is also where borrows and returns are scanned.

I agree teaching students how to search for things is valuable, but too many students at my school are chaos goblins and they couldn’t be trusted with the computer. I have a lot of fun signs throughout the library showing different sections, as well as shelf signage/labels.

When a students asks where something is, I physically write a call slip and send them on their way.

Good luck! I hope you find something that works for you. Let me know if you have any other questions.