In New on the Job, experts Toor and Weisburg helped newbies make the transition to real-world school librarianship. Being Indispensable is all about staying one: without a proactive approach, school librarians, facing a severe economic downturn and budget cuts, run the risk of becoming an endangered species. In clear, simple, and practical language, this book empowers school librarians by helping them - Understand what other stakeholders in a school need and want - Demonstrate their importance to administrators, teachers, and parents - Plan strategically in both their personal and professional lives - Master important tools like advocacy and marketing Making the case for the vital role school librarians play in learning, this book gives readers all the strategies they need to become the kind of leader their school can't do without.

As if transitioning from library school or a different type of library job into the role of a school librarian wasn’t challenging enough, just factor in today’s straitened funding environment for the position itself. Librarians new on the job need expert advice on what to expect and how thrive, and since its publication in 2006 this guide has served as a wise mentor for the new school librarian. From job search strategies and discovering work philosophy to the nitty-gritty details of creating acceptable use policies, this revised and updated edition, which includes a new foreword from Sarah Kelly Johns, shares the joys and perils of the profession along with a wealth of practical advice from decades of experience in school library programs. With this guide as a roadmap, new school librarians can: Tackle the job search with confidence, with tips on everything from polishing a résumé and acing a job interview to ways of handling any potentially negative Google results and other digital footprints Learn the secrets to successfully collaborate with teachers Navigate new roles and responsibilities through orientation and organization Create dynamic interactions with students to deepen their learning experiences Master the art of communicating with the principal, IT experts, and vendors Become familiar with school library technology, including e-book collections, online databases, and library management systems Receive field-tested guidance on daily matters – from budgeting and purchasing to advocacy and programming The AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and Common Core State Standards are also thoroughly discussed. New school librarians as well as those already in the profession can set the tone for rewarding career with this one-stop, hands-on guide.