On Common Ground. Make the School Principal Your Ally

Everyone needs an ally who can help them be successful. For a school librarian, that person should be the principal. What a principal thinks about you and the school library program will shape the perception for the entire school community. Last month in this column we wrote about relationship building. This month’s column focuses on “tried and true” relationship building tips. For the new school librarian and returning veteran alike, meeting and greeting a new principal opens the door to strategically developing a positive working relationship with your principal.

Many principals are unaware of the purpose of the school library program. It is usually not included in a principal’s course of study. As a teacher or as a principal (or even as a student) they may never have experienced a school library that actively applies the learning commons concept or is evolving as a makerspace, engaging all students. When faced with a student centered school library program and a school librarian who is a teaching partner with the classroom teacher they may be puzzled by all of the school librarian’s “free time” and not understand the why, what, and how. Why is there a school library? What does the school librarian really do? How does the school librarian impact student learning? These are fair questions, and it is part of your role as the school librarian to take steps to educate your principal and answer them.

Tip #1: Discover what keeps your principal awake at night.

As the instructional leader, the principal is responsible for everything that occurs in the school. The principal’s job is a tough one, scrutinized by the superintendent, parents, students, and teachers and constantly in the spotlight. Have a conversation with your principal and find out the burning issues in your school district that the principal will focus on this year.

You have access to helpful information. Offer to research the “hot topics” using databases in your library. When you support the principal as he/she addresses school issues, you will become an important member of the core team and a trusted member of the faculty.

Tip #2: Remember the principal is the most important person in the school building.

Think about what your principal needs to know. Practice and become skilled in delivering short summaries that highlight your library program. Carefully consider what you can communicate about the school library that will leave the principal wanting to know more. Avoid being didactic, and maintain frequent and consistent communication. Be helpful without becoming meddlesome.

Tip #3: Communicate, communicate, communicate!

Suggest a twenty-minute monthly meeting. If the principal doesn’t agree to a monthly meeting, suggest a quarterly meeting. This uninterrupted time can be invaluable in growing a mutual understanding of the school library. Share examples of student work as data to demonstrate student achievement. Be focused. Have an agenda with talking points. Show how you are contributing to teaching and learning in your school. Principals are incredibly busy. Stick to the time limit—stick to the subject. Share the good things that are happening in the library. Be positive.

Tip #4: Make the principal your ally.

A successful school librarian must make the principal an ally and actively seek his or her support. Demonstrate your leadership abilities. Don’t bring problems with the expectation that the principal will solve them for you. Present the issue and suggest two possible solutions. Ask for feedback as to which solution the principal prefers. Principals deal with many unhappy people. Keep this in mind and always be pleasant. Be the positive person the principal is happy to see. Establish an open door policy. Invite the principal to drop by the school library any day, any time.

Tip #5: You are not alone.

You may be the sole librarian in your school. Your membership in professional organizations provides access to a wealth of materials to share with a principal that can promote and explain the value of the school library. Provide your principal with a copy of the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner and AASL school library guidelines, Empowering Learners. Download (or order) advocacy brochures from the ALA Web site: www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/tools/brochures to share with your administrator. Share data from School Libraries Count: www.ala.org/aasl/research/slc. Tell your library’s story with the help of materials developed by ALA at www.ala.org/aasl/slm/2011. Read Pinterest, blog posts, and journal articles on school library advocacy. Network with others. Discover success stories of principals supportive of school libraries. Try replicating strategies that others have used.

With time and consistent effort, you can get the principal on board. The effort to build your relationship with your principal will pay dividends. When principals understand the value of the school library program for students they are more likely to become supporters and allies.

In the meantime, be visible as an involved member of your school. Be the kind of school librarian that the principal is happy to see. One of the authors of this column once had a principal say to her, “I love seeing you. When we meet, I know we are going to talk about curriculum, the library program, and student achievement.” Make this the school year that your principal says those words to you.