April 30th-May 3rd/ Conclusion

It's my last week at the Dubard school and I am so sad. I have come to love every aspect of this job. This week I really focused on shelving whatever needed to be shelved so the librarian would have less to do. I also tried to see if I had any questions or wanted to learn  anything specific. I also got my first test as a real librarian I came in for my afternoon shift and the librarian had got called out for an emergency meeting. When the teacher walked in with her computer lab students she said the librarian said you can watch them for her. So the teacher and I handled the students in the lab together. The students were so good and worked really hard. I felt like a librarian for the first time that I was in charge. :) I also helped all the other classes and whenever the student needed help I was their to help them. It was very rewarding to help the students and to help the librarian out as well. I turned in my evaluation sheets and did so last minute things and I was out of Dubard and done with my practicum.
As I look back on my pracitcum, I can say I learned more hands on then I did in school. I know felt really capable of any library job. And that I would do well in sticky or rough situations. I know I could handle whatever gets thrown at me from working here. I enjoyed every second of the day while I was their the staff and students made it easy to work there but by far it was not an easy job; it was hard work. I know I was sick and missed quite a bit but consistanly you can see I did work super hard when I was there and even when I was sick I did my absolute best.

April 23rd-April 27th

I finally am able to get back fully into my schedule once again. I was detirmined to soak up as much learing and finishing helping the librarian at Dubard as much as possible these last two weeks. So I completed whatever she wanted me to do to finish up the scrapbooks. I got so many complements on how well I did on the scrapbooks both by the librarian and the worker who scans the scrapbooks. I was so excited to finish inputting all the books and getting some on the shelves. We also started getting in all of our books and materials that were out during the school year so I had tons of shelving to do. It became rather difficult because our library is so small and our shelves are really full most of the time. But I made it work. We finally reopened the computer lab again for the students to start on Rosetta Stone again so I got to observe some classes but also do small other jobs as well.

April 16th-20th

This week I believe we had testing in the mornings so I was not required to be there in the mornings. I worked this week on the little projects that I had left to do. The rest of the time I did whatever was needed around. We also worked on input in the catalog at Dubard. I was shown how she uses the Concourse system but also uses WorldCat. I put all the labels on all the books we inputted. I had so much fun inputting and it was a great learning experience. I really learned shelving and I really have a passion for shelving and cataloging now. We also worked on clearing out the computer lab so we could have it reopen for computer classes. I finally started getting back into the swing of things with work and school. I really started developing a passion for the children I enjoyed there responses during their class visits to the library and their hard work during computer.

April 9th- 13th

As I said in my last blog Dubard was off on Monday April 9th so I did not work that day. But on tuesday April 10th I returned to work but I also got some bad news about my gallbladder. I got the call that it was not functioning at all and that I would need surgery. They got me an immediate appointment with a surgeon that week on April 11th I saw the surgeon; he really wanted to do surgery sooner but I told him I wanted to finish school and that I was working at Dubard so I could not have surgery until it was all over. So he agreed I would reserve the surgery for after graduation. After that I tried to get back into the swing of things at Dubard knowing my time there was short. I have good days and bad days with being sick so it was hard to do everything I was doing but I did the best I could. I got complimented with the work I did on the scrapbooks. I even sorted through a huge stack of all things that were on sorted and needed to be. I really enjoyed checking in the students books and listening to the librarian teach them about the library or computers or just read them a story. Our computer lab was still down with all the new technology coming around so it was chaos in the library for a couple of weeks. But overall I enjoyed working on the scrapbooks and learning how to deal with no only what the students check out but what the teachers check out and use as materials as well.

April 2nd-April 6th

Another work week began at Dubard. There was a lot of excitement and a little stress with the arrival of new computers and Ipads for the students to use in the library. We had boxes all over for about the next two to three weeks. So we worked with ITech trying to get all the computers set up and where they needed to go. I took on a lot of tasks with scrapbooking and inputting of books. We also had to input all of the books from the book fair that we got and some donations that had come in. We also worked on organizing the library and moving some stuff around. This work week was chopped up for me because my hida scan test was april 5th and I had to fast for like 12hours before and try to go to classes to. I also had to get to the test an hour before it started  and then it lasted for 2 hours. But the test was worth it because I later found out I was really sick.  The next day April 6th was Good Friday and we had a holiday. I returned to school on Monday April 9th but DuBard was closed for Easter Holiday still so I did not work that day. But my pain was easing up now and I was looking forward to getting back to work.

March 26th-30th

I was in still in a lot of pain at this time with my gallbladder but I had to wait it out for the hida scan test. So I had no choice to go to school and my practicum in pain. But while this was really difficult I knew I must press on and do well. The Dubard school was really supportive at this time. I did shelving and watched her input books. At this time in my practicum I was shown mostly everything the librarian their does so we were tying up any lose ends or any questions I may have. I was also still working on the scrapbooking for the archives. I also finished up some computer work that she had me do. It was really difficult going to 3 really tough classes and working, but also walking everywhere in pain but I managed to do it. It was in these next couple of weeks I really learned the most at Dubard even though I felt terrible all the time.

March 12-16th, and the week after through March 23rd.

It was spring break time! It was almost halfway through my time at Dubard we had some testing and things coming up to where I would have to not come on testing mornings but also learn to start inputting books when I returned from spring break. On Saturday March 17th early morning I woke up screaming in pain. I went straight to the emergency room they did tons of testing the pain in my upper right side was unbearable. They decided that I needed medications so they gave me some and told me to come in later that week for a gallbladder ultrasound. I was in so much pain I could even lay down  to go to  bed so my mom rushed my to another emergency room to see if they would help me. The emergency room did not so I had to miss classes and my practicum all that week because I could hardly move. I got the gallbladder ultrasound. My ultrasound was March 22. It all came back fine. But the gallbladder is hard to detect and I had to get back to my practicum and school. So I went to my family doctor he ordered a hida scan test of my gallbladder the soonest he could get it was April 5th. I really hated missing school in Dubard all this time but when I was not at the doctor or could make it I tried to be there as much as possible.

Week 8 book fair in full swing! March 5th-9th

The book fair was in full swing this week and boy was it fun. I really enjoyed the aspect of selling and helping customers. It was neat how the school helps the children with the book fair and trys to get the parents involved. Since the children have learning problem we let them all make a wish list and we helped them write down what they wanted. So the first few days classes visited the library and created a wishlist for each student. The teachers also created wishlists. Then they  sent the lists home for the parents to discuss cost and what their child would want. Then the lasts days the students came back with money and purchased what was on their lists. We had some problems with books selling out, sometimes what we thought would sell did not and vice versa. But it was fun seeing the joy on all the children's faces. Parents also came to the book fair as well as after school therapy children. Everyone looked like they enjoyed themselves. We also had this really awesome machine that took cash, credit, debit, check and we just sat back. No calculator needed. It was very tempting sitting their waiting for people to come buy stuff the first couple of days because business was slow. So I ended up buying a lot of stuff but it finally picked up on the last two days.  The library made not an excellent profit but some every little bit helps. I also got schlastic working dollars so I got to pick two books with that which was awesome because I was eyeing the Grimm legacy book all  week. While it was fun, it was boring at times just waiting for someone to come anyone. I really did get a new spin on how to run a book store but also incoporate these methods into the library. The book fair was certainly a challenge. But next week is spring break but after this break we get to input all the books that the library purchased at the book fair and I am a little scared about that.

Weeks 6 and 7

Week 6
My boss was out due to the loss of her father it was also Mardi Gras break. I was still very ill with a virus. I went to the doctor 3 times from valentines day to this point so I did not work that week partly because my boss did not have stuff for me to do and because I did not want to infect the children.

Week 7
February 27-March 2nd
I really got some hours in this time because we were in full preperation for our book fair. But monday through wednesday were pretty typical I shelved and helped with different small projects the librarian gave me. I got to check out lots of books to the students. I also helped cut out different things for the book fair and help with the signs. I really enjoy doing typical things like shelving way more then I ever thought. But on Thursday and Friday the real work began I stay from nearly lunch to near in the evening both days helping prepare for the bookfair.
We had to unpack all the books scholastic send us and set everything up like a store. We really had fun with set up even though it was tons of work.  The librarian explained to me how the book fair works for their school and how they get the profits. It was really great to be apart of the book fair set up, because I remember going to the book fair at my elementary school. I really appreciate all the work that goes into it now more then ever. But the fun part was yet to come. :)

Week 5

                                                                    February 13-17th

This week I really got thrown into the world of the library and upheld many responsibilities even though there were some mishaps. Monday was a pretty typical day in the library; I shelved, did computer work, and watched the kids work. But then the librarian gave me a new job. It was flannel book and fairy tale puppets, I basically had to inventory the items and put them in alphabetical order. It took a really long time to get them all in order and figure out what went with what but I eventually finished the librarian was pleased. Next I had to type a list so the teachers could find the items they may want more quickly. The librarian said this is closer to something I might be doing in a public library. I also started scrapbooking not only in the recent school year but I also got to start a book on their 50th anniversary. Tuesday which was Valentine's Day was really fun, I got to see the kids at their Valentine's Day party. I got to meet and mingle with a lot of the teachers. I also got to see the librarian read a Valentine's story to her class that day. It was so much fun! Wednesday I was very sick and I got a doctor's excuse to miss work. So the librarian gave me permission to miss as long as I needed. I also did not know if I was contagious or not. I still was very sick on Thursday when I returned to work but I got a new responsibility and I did it well even though I was sick. My new job on Thursday was to scan the pages of the future story so they could be projected onto PowerPoint. I even got to use a program called snag it and then used PowerPoint to insert the pictures I scanned into a slideshow. I really enjoyed this and I hope it turned out good. I really love all the work I'm getting to do. I will make up my hours but not next week due to Mardi Gras break. But I will be ready to take on the book fair soon enough. I hope I feel better next week.

Week 4

                                                                February 6-10th, 2012

I really took a leap into the world of library and the world of the school I work at. I really do so many things at my practicum, sometimes it gets repetitive weekly but I really enjoy it. This week was a very interesting and intense, the weeks are sure flying by as we prepare for our book fair. I have been doing a lot of paper work for the book fair. This week I got to check out books to the students. It was quite an experience getting used to the computer system that the librarian uses. I also finished the huge computer project I had been working on updated and tested internet access on fifteen laptops. The librarian decided to keep five of them due to the face they are about to get some new equipment in the library. Every two weeks the children get to check out books so not too often are their books to shelve. I probably only do that once a week or so. The librarian really has trusted me with more tasks a day lately and more difficult ones. This week the librarian asked me to start working on the scrapbooking for the current school year which is how they archive the events and pictures of the school. They have a student who is in charge of the archiving currently who was making copies of those current articles and scrapbooking them. The librarian told me she did not like it that way and that she wanted the original articles in there and wanted the scrapbook more presentable. So after I finished a few pages she took a look at the scrapbook and said much better. She said that I would now be in charge of the current school year scrapbook. The librarian also gives me lots of compliments and I really take pride in what I do. My favorite part of the week is when I get to witness the students one on one reading time and I get to hear them read. I really enjoy working with the students and watching them learn.

Weeks 2 and 3

January 26-February 3, 2012
I decided to combine these weeks since I started on a Thursday. I couldn't wait to start my practicum. I was so anxious because I had never worked in a library before and this library is special. I could wait to work with the kids who had learning problems and see how smart they were. My first day, I learned to shelve books which I really did not fully understand until this amazing librarian showed me hands on. I had been in college so long I was used to the Library of Congress way of shelving but I learned. Once I was shelving and shelving, I put away 50 books rather quickly. I loved how the librarian also taught the kids the Dewy Decimal System as well. My second day, I learned about the computer lab which the librarian also runs. The kids come in a do the program Rosetta stone to improve their English language skills. My job was to turn the computers on and off every day for the most part and monitor the kids. My first Monday I learned about the scrap booking project the school is working on to preserve their legacy. I also stamped books and put stickers into them to let them know it belonged to our library now. Then the really interesting parts happened, I got to witness the librarian having her classes. The librarian told me she scans all the books into her computer and then types the words in PowerPoint so the kids can see it and understand it better. I watched the kids answer her questions for her lesson and watch them as she read them the story. I also started a big computer project. The librarian asked me to take out 15 old laptops and update them in antivirus and see if they connected to the Internet. It took one computer an hour and 15 minutes to update. They were really slow. I wrote down which ones were good and bad laptops. Later down on the road the librarian will decide if she wants to keep them or not. On Thursday, I cleaned the entire computer lab and dusted everywhere and also worked on the computer project. Friday I went in earlier then my normal time, because they were having a special Cat and the Hat program. The Cat in the Hat even came to visit the kids. It was really great to see the kids with the cat. I also cleaned and worked on the computer project. I really did not know how my first full week would go but it went great and I absolutely love working there.

Week 1

I did not start my practicum until a few weeks after school started, so week one I spend getting ready for my internship. Since my internship is at a special school I had to go to many meetings before they allowed me to start. I also have a lot of classes this semester because I am a double major in library and religion so I had to figure out how to fit 10hrs of working at the library into my busy schedule.It took days to get all of my hours straight and them to agree to them. But eventually we settled it and I got a date to start my practicum on Thursday, January 26, 2012. I was so excited!