Some school librarians find it helpful to develop calendars for tasks that must be done on a schedule. Separate calendars can be prepared for various positions such as student or volunteer jobs. An annual calendar listing the management tasks may be helpful in scheduling your time so that important deadlines are met.

 

To start an annual calendar, list each month and leave space below it to write the tasks that need to be done. Many of the general items will come up about the same time each year. Once you have the framework of the calendar you can file the master copy and begin tailoring the current one for your school year. Fill in the school and community holidays and special dates including exams, grading periods and parent conferences. Some of the general items for the framework might include the following:

 

August

 

• Plan bulletin boards for the year.
• Sign up for various email list servs availalble, if new sign up for State Library SAYL Mail        
• Prepare a back to school bulletin board.
• Update, print and distribute a teachers' guide to using the library.
• Prepare a students' guide to using the library.
• Update library's website, or send changes to webmaster for immediate posting.
• Check supplies on hand; order any that are needed.
• Talk with teachers to make collaboration plans for the year, use curriculum mapping, interviews, email followup.
• Research professional development opportunities for the coming year and talk to the principal about your attendance.
• Unpack boxes of ordered supplies, books, A/V materials, etc., and organize them for eventual processing as needed.
• Conduct introductory tours of the library during the first weeks of school.

 

September

 

• Interview students for volunteer positions.
• Organize parent volunteers--call those who helped out in the past; get names of new parents from the school secretary. 
• Conduct introductory tours of the library during the first weeks of school.
• Assist teachers with selection of content-area reading materials for students.
• Process new books and set them out on display for circulation.
• Begin Battle of the Books promotion.

 

October

 

• Reading promotion program--discuss collaboration with teachers to complement and support their curriculum.
• Plan for Children’s Book Week or Teen Read Week (3rd week of October).
• Inernational School Library Day - 4th Monday in October.

 

November

 

• Look out for information about travel grants possibilities for spring conferences from AkLA or AkASL (List servs or conference web pages).
• Estimate program needs for next year and talk with your principal for inclusion in planning next year's budget

 

December

 

• Check NEA website for information about next year’s Read Across America, held on Dr. Seuss' birthday, March 3rd.

 

January

 

• Withdraw old or worn magazines--move to a recycling bin or let teacher know they are available. 
• Shelve back issues of magazines from previous year.
• Mail or complete online registration for the AkLA conference.
• Set up local Battle of the Book tournament.
• Check the American Library Association website after the Midwinter meeting for children and young adult books winning annual awards. 
• Inventory and weed the collection (ongoing).  

 

February

 

• Order award-winning children's books.
• Plan National Library Week activities.
• Participate in state tournament for Battle of the Books.
• Inventory and weed the collection (ongoing).
• Begin talking with faculty regarding curriculum needs for next year

 

March

 

• Celebrate Read Across America day in honor of Dr. Seuss (first week of March)
• Attend AkLA Conference.
• Plan and advertise next month’s School Library Media Month activities.
• Inventory and weed the collection (ongoing).
• Begin building book order for late spring or fall ordering.

 

April

 

• Celebrate School Library Media Month sponsored by AASL, a division of ALA.
• Inventory and weed the collection
• Buy books for next year’s ,Battle of the Books if funds are available.
• Contact community public library for information about summer reading opportunities for students.

 

May/June

 

• Find volunteers to help with inventory and weeding.
• Make notes for updating your guide for teachers.
• Finalize fall book order, submit purchase order request with next year's money.
• Discuss with principal needs for purchasing books and materials with available end-of-year money.
• Write annual report for the principal.
• Submit purchase order request and sign up for next year's Battle of the Books or request person in charge of libraries to do this.

 

Annual Tasks to be scheduled

• Magazine order
• Book order
• Plan book fair(s)