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CKLS School Librarians: New? Start here!

The Central Kansas Library System has a commitment to school districts that have joined CKLS as system members. We provide consulting, continuing education, and a number of library services for member school librarians and paraprofessionals.

New School Librarian First Year Kickstart

If this is your first year working in a school library, this page has lots of good information to get you started. I suggest you get a binder or digital notebook and set up the following sections. As you print off/download and read an article, file it in the corresponding section. Jot down notes, how tos, and insights and file that as well. Over the course of time, you will be creating a How To Manual. Think how handy this would have been when you started. The librarian that follows you will be full of praise for your thoughtfulness!

  • Collection Management
  • Policy and Law
  • Setting Up and Organizing the Library
  • Procedures
  • Library Operations
  • Literacy Celebrations 
  • Tips

Setting Up and Organizing the School Library

Collection Management: Selection, Processing, and Deselection

Literacy Celebrations and Print Outs

Call Numbers and Classification

Policy and Law

School Library Policy is ultimately approved by the school board. The school librarian will work with the building administrator to craft the necessary policy and together, they will present it to the school board.

Policies establish a standard for services that can be understood by users of the service and providers. Policies ensure equitable treatment for all, and polices provide a framework for delivery of services.

Procedure, Rules, Handbooks

Procedures are how you do things. 

Rules are for behavior

A Handbook is usually one document that contains all the policies and procedures, plus an explanation on how the library runs.