Day 3-Practicum Library

• How do you use the inventory scanner/what exactly does it do?

Once it's charged you simply click the scan button and begin scanning the book barcodes, sort of like you would to check out a book.  It will fill up a few times, then you download the information to the computer and the Follett Destiny system and it tells you what items are missing.

• If some fines and books are never paid or returned, do you ever get the money back from the central office or other funds, or is that money just lost?

It is all just lost.

• When you have to teach lessons for your observations, is it difficult to find a teacher who is willing to let you borrow their students?  Do you ever work with that teacher to create your lesson plans?

Yes.  Students are usually taken from related arts classes.  The teachers will ask for lesson materials.  There are some classes for Booktalks that relate to what ever the kids are learning in their classes, if there is time for their teacher to allow a visit.

Today began with several students paying fines and taking AR tests.  Today was the last day to take AR tests.  The library assistant was not here today, so I had to perform all the tasks without any assistance.  I remembered all the steps for everything and things went well.  There were, however, less students taking AR tests throughout the day than expected.  I began putting all the books in order today and, although it wasn't really difficult, it took a lot of time and sometimes I felt my eyes would go cross trying to read all the Dewey numbers.  Even so, I am glad I had the opportunity to learn about this task and become more familiar with the process and the books in the collection.  Today I also taught my first lesson.  This was the best part of the day because I was able to teach and see most of the students enjoying the book and the activity.  They smiled and laughed a lot, and even though some of them did not appear to be very pleased with me taking their time (they were originally watching a movie in class), they were very well behaved.  I even had majority of the students want to take their writing assignment home to make it more creative!