Simply Indispensable:An Action Guide for School Librarians

Keeping a library program vital requires regular reflection about current practices and a willingness to implement changes that will position the library and library staff should they be threatened with elimination. Simply Indispensable: An Action Guide for School Librarians helps librarians do just that. The book begins with an explanation of the need to act and then offers a systematic approach to taking action. Each chapter is devoted to an active path: attracting patrons; interacting with teachers, parents, administrators, and the community; communicating; reacting to "situations"; working for reinstatement if the worst happens; and more.

The book covers advocacy—from the subtle exercise of developing excellent programs to the overt outreach of legislative days. Additionally, there is specific information about what to do when the RIF notice or pink slip arrives or if cuts are made, including how to properly close a library. After putting these actions into effect, school librarians will have a cadre of supporters ready to speak for them should the need arise.

Janice Gilmore-See is district librarian for La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, La Mesa, CA, overseeing 21 school-site libraries and the district instructional media center. She holds a bachelor's degree in business information systems from the University of Phoenix and an MLIS from San Jose State University. She has written articles for School Library Media Activities Monthly, now School Library Monthly.