What a pleasure it was to have my last full day of high school observations with the very first person who got me truly interested in Library and Information Studies! I felt privileged to spend the entire day at Jones College Preparatory High School with Mr. Fran Feeley learning from such a seasoned librarian. In the past, I have only been lucky to attend a few of his brief workshops at CPS's Department of Libraries professional development events.
I arrived a few minutes before 8 am, so I was able to meet one of the 13 parent volunteers who either open the library in the morning or help at any given time throughout the day. It was so nice to see that the library is such a busy and sought-out place; students started visiting right away. Fran keeps a record of how many students visit throughout the day by requiring them to sign in in the enormous log book before they can fully enter to begin their work for the day.
Teachers come early seeking Fran's assistance as well. One of Jones' history teachers, Mr. K., was collaborating with Fran on what I am sure will be a very interesting examination of landmark buildings in the city. The main areas that Fran planned to focus on in his presentation to the students included resources/websites, production applications and presentation formats (slide show, iMovie, etc.) I could tell how excited he was about this assignment. He could not help sharing that there is a building in his neighborhood that he is looking forward to researching to use as a model to help students complete their projects.
Shortly after Mr. K. left, Ms. S. and her freshman English students came into the library, headed for the computer lab in back. After she outlined the requirements of the group projects for the assignment titled Politics: Place, People and Perceptions, Fran spent time showing the students how they could conduct well-focused meaningful research by using credible, relevant resources. Among many resources presented to the students, he identified a University of North Carolina-based website on how to evaluate websites and RealClearPolitics, a well-trusted, non-partisan Chicago-based political website known for its original reporting and comprehensive media coverage. We barely had time to each lunch before another of Ms. S.'s English classes was brought to the library to learn from Fran.
After things slowed down, I enjoyed exploring the shelves where a wide collection of books awaited students to discover them. As was the case at my previous observation site, I was glad to recognize popular and/or award-winning titles. Obviously, there were many that I did not recognize as I am primarily familiar with children's literature. Unfamiliar titles also included those that dealt with sexual identity issues with which teens often have a tough time dealing. Those books were clearly the "best of the best" as they have received Stonewall Books Awards, an honor given to books that have been exceptional in relating the GLBT experience. In retrospect, such titles were absent at last week's site as it was a religious-based (Catholic) school.
One of the most noteworthy things about the yesterday's observation was Fran's impressive record-keeping practices. In addition to having the sign-in sheets available throughout the day, he has students sign in during Ac(ademic) Lab. Freshman and Seniors get priority one day; Sophomores and Juniors, the next. All students are welcome after an hour or so after the lab starts. I was asked to tally the Monday and Wednesday visiting patterns of the four years from the beginning of the month until yesterday. Fran keeps those records to present to the Local School Council and other interested parties demonstrating how important the library is to students (and teachers) of all classes. (The new, beautiful and comfortable furniture as well as the fully-equipped computer labs in the library are a reflection of that.) He further proves that Ac Lab is a place of serious learning by making students aware of a code of conduct that must be adhered to in order to retain visiting privileges.
If the full schedule with his fellow teachers or frequent stops by students to chat with him about what is going on is not enough to attest to the overwhelming positive presence Fran Feeley is as school librarian, his principal confirmed it in a brief conversation with me. About a half hour before I left, Dr. Powers asked me how my day had gone. I explained to him in true "Lori Martin fashion" to which he responded, "Yes! When our former librarian left, I wasn't sure how we'd find someone to take her place. Boy, we really got lucky when we got Fran!" Those are my sentiments exactly. I hope that I can perfect my craft just as well, too.
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