MLS Partners with Chicago Public Schools for School Librarian for a Day
Over fifty individuals from Chicago Public School libraries and Metropolitan Library System member libraries contributed to the success of the first School Library for a Day (SLFAD) event, which took place April 23, 2007. Funded by a LSTA grant, this event brought together CPS librarians and MLS librarians in the hopes of creating long-term partnerships. The day included a shadowing opportunity for MLS librarians at their partner school followed by an afternoon program to meet and recognize participants and discuss ways to continue the partnership.
Both MLS member libraries and MLS staff took place in this first ever day of job shadowing. Just one example of the success of the day was Josephine Kujawa’s visit to Mitchell Elementary. Kujawa, librarian at Lexington College (http://www.lexingtoncollege.edu) a women’s college offering Associate and Bachelor degrees in Hospitality Management, said she was blown away by the librarian and students at Mitchell Elementary.
Half-time librarian Ms. Anne Marie Strom, who also serves as librarian for another school, impressed Kujawa with her collaborative work with teachers on the school’s reading program. Welcomed with a banner and breakfast, Kujawa not only shadowed the librarian, but met with the principal and teachers, and had the opportunity to speak with students in several classrooms. She even sat in on a student council meeting and library club meeting. During her visit with 7th and 8th grade girls, she talked about opportunities that await them in the field of hospitality. The students even came prepared to ask questions.
The day ended with talk about continuing the relationship between the schools with future student visits to Lexington. “I was very pleased with the entire School Librarian for a Day Program,” said Kujawa. She even had the SLFAD afternoon event participants laughing when she mentioned that after her day with these students, they all wanted future careers as wedding planners!
"The experience was both rewarding and eye-opening. The dedication to the profession and the students that I witnessed my CPS librarian demonstrate in just half a day of job shadowing was remarkable.” - Christina Stoll, MLS Consultant
For more information about this multitype cooperative event see the MLS newsletter or contact Christina Stoll.