Patsy Divver is the Library Teacher at Millis Middle/High School in Millis, MA
and the recipient of the 2022 Judi Paradis Action Grant
and the recipient of the 2022 Judi Paradis Action Grant
At the end of June, I will be retiring from a role that I’ve held for over 33 years. This “library person” identity began back in 1988 when I officially was ‘the library mom’ for my oldest daughter’s kindergarten class. What fun going in and digging through those many picture books, introducing the art of reading to young minds! From the beginning, I was hooked on books, and I have enjoyed my role as school library teacher over the past 25 years.
With retirement comes the idea of slowing down…but not before the school year ends. Keeping the library in the limelight, presenting effective lessons and invigorating programs is a priority for all of us, and retiring should not be stopping this. Don’t stop believing in all you can do or what you can offer to your successor.
When I returned to school last fall, it was following a year of my being fully remote teaching. The shelves needed weeding and the collection needed books and everything needed a ‘restart’. So after starting the catch-up of following lost books, reviewing new titles and planning for improving the circulation, the gap was graphics. Students love them, manga was a major focus, and our collection required a real re-do: where does one begin?
First problem— space. Our sad biography section was dull, boring and not well-used. Solution: move, weed, and redefine the space. We transformed it into the graphic novel section to bring fresh perspective to the area. Housing the most desirable parts of the collection in a new spot brings in renewed interest. However, funds were limited, budgets frozen barely two months after the start of this project, so a DIY approach was mandatory.
This brings us to the second problem— money. Grants, pleads, donations…that’s how this metamorphosis began. My first small grant was from the local teachers’ association, which allowed for ‘decorations,’ but not books. We secured the grant and the changes began— decorative changes— shifting shelves, adding posters and stickers, creating signage and programming for fun: a special space to draw-your-own anime.
When I returned to school last fall, it was following a year of my being fully remote teaching. The shelves needed weeding and the collection needed books and everything needed a ‘restart’. So after starting the catch-up of following lost books, reviewing new titles and planning for improving the circulation, the gap was graphics. Students love them, manga was a major focus, and our collection required a real re-do: where does one begin?
First problem— space. Our sad biography section was dull, boring and not well-used. Solution: move, weed, and redefine the space. We transformed it into the graphic novel section to bring fresh perspective to the area. Housing the most desirable parts of the collection in a new spot brings in renewed interest. However, funds were limited, budgets frozen barely two months after the start of this project, so a DIY approach was mandatory.
This brings us to the second problem— money. Grants, pleads, donations…that’s how this metamorphosis began. My first small grant was from the local teachers’ association, which allowed for ‘decorations,’ but not books. We secured the grant and the changes began— decorative changes— shifting shelves, adding posters and stickers, creating signage and programming for fun: a special space to draw-your-own anime.
Donation suggestions came from the MSLA listserv. One fruitful one was writing for the ‘Youth Services Book Review’, which allows you to ‘review and keep’ a book for your library (thanks to Susan Harhari and Stephanie Tournas!) Getting involved with reviewing the books gives me deeper understanding to the collection. Next, my friendly public librarian gave us a ‘like new’ set of the manga series Fruits Basket to expand this popular subsection of graphic novels. Finally, I applied for my shining star: the MSLA Judi Paradis Grant Award. At last, my book funding!
Wth the tireless help of local bookstores, I curated a list of 45 titles to jumpstart the graphic novel section. My district elementary school helped by bringing over extra chairs for the updated library space. To showcase the area, I held a “May the 4th be With You/Grab a Graphic & Go” Day! Dressed like an ‘older’ Super Woman, I welcomed the students with stickers, buttons, bookmarks and, of course, books.
This year-long project might have been a stretch to do do during my last year of working, but it was so worth it. You don’t stop when you decide to retire, you can always reinvent yourself and your space. For me, it helps in remembering why I started, all those years ago. As school library teachers, we are providing the best for our patrons and passing on the best school library we can for the next colleague. That’s what we do as school library teachers.
This year-long project might have been a stretch to do do during my last year of working, but it was so worth it. You don’t stop when you decide to retire, you can always reinvent yourself and your space. For me, it helps in remembering why I started, all those years ago. As school library teachers, we are providing the best for our patrons and passing on the best school library we can for the next colleague. That’s what we do as school library teachers.
