Getting Lead-Bottomed Administrators Excited About School Library Media Centers (Building Partnerships Series)

written For The Public School Librarian, This Work Explains The Steps Necessary To Plan, Implement, And Manage Media Center And Library Programs With Administrative Cooperation. Snyder (superintendent, Monte Vista School District, Colorado) Provides Case Studies Of Successful Programs And Offers Advice On How To Build A Good Rapport With Administrators, Students, And Parents. Annotation C. Book News, Inc., Portland, Or voya although The Catchy Title And Engaging Cover Will Draw Readers To This Book, Those Expecting A Witty Read With Fresh Ideas For Promoting The Library Program Will Be Disappointed. Librarians Need To Read The Book To Discover That The Author Is A Former Principal, As There Is No Author Information Provided. He Believes That Lead-bottomed Administrators Can Be Motivated To Support The Library Program When Librarians Develop And Follow A Careful Plan Of Action. The Book Becomes A Guide To The Author's Seven Components Of Successful Planning,'' A Step-by-step Account Of The Planning Process. This Discussion Includes A Useful Description Of Personality Types And Some Activities For Building Support That Will Not Be New To School Librarians Running Creditable Programs. Rather Than Providing New Ideas Or Building Enthusiasm For Action, The Book Leaves Readers With The Impression That Change Comes As A Result Of A Fairly Dull Process And That Administrators Often Are Clueless When It Comes To The Library Program. For Librarians Interested In Building Support For Their Programs, Carol Kearney's Discussion Of Leading From The Middle In Curriculum Planner (greenwood, 2000) Provides A Much Fresher Approach To Building Administrative Support. For Educating Administrators About The Exciting Role The Library Plays In The School Community, David V. Loertscher's Reinvent Your School's Library In The Age Of Technology (hi Willow, 1998) Is A Guide Written Expressly For Principals And Superintendents. Index. 2000, Libraries Unlimited, 184p, $27 Pb. Ages Adult. Reviewer: Chris Carlson Source: Voya, August 2001 (vol. 24, No. 3) The purpose of this book is to help professional librarians gain administrator support for the library media center. The book is divided into three sections. Part 1, "Setting the Stage," explores the challenge and aspects of accountability that can be lost in the pressures of daily accomplishment. It details the personality characteristics found in those associated with school libraries and administration. Examples of extraordinary library media specialists from around the country are given. Part 2, "Planning for Success," highlights various themes of success and instructs in each component of planning. Preliminary objectives, intelligence gathering, resource analysis and development, finalizing objectives, developing strategies and timelines, and plan implementation and evaluation are all covered in depth. Numerous examples and anecdotes are presented throughout the section. Part 3, "Strategic Ideas," provides specific ideas to consider in building better relationships with administrators, teachers, parents, and students. Tips provide ideas for gaining credibility and for understanding how to achieve greater personal satisfaction. Checklists and instruments are provided at the end of many of the chapters. Contains an index. (AEF) Gain the administrative support you need for your media center and library programs with this practical and enlightening guide. Snyder shows you how differences in background, learning styles, thought processes, leadership styles, and outlooks between school media specialists and building administrators can undermine the success of the library program. He then gives you step-by-step instructions for bridging the communication gap and leading your media center to success. The real-life examples and winning strategies are both instructive and entertaining. Essential professional reading for all media specialists. Offers advice to professional librarians on how to sell the importance of library media center services to administrators who, by virture of having control over school budgets, hold the key to the future survival of school libraries