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Teaching Librarian 15.indd 28 Ontario School Library Association Wendy D'Angelo There are many benefits to inviting guests into the school library. Foremost, it allows teacher-librarians to create innovative collaborative partnerships with teachers focusing on the curriculum. It also gives teacher-librarians a unique forum to promote the library program. Inviting an author, illustrator, musician, dancer, actor/actress, artist, or historian into the library provides an authentic learning opportunity for students, which may not be available elsewhere. The following six steps will help you create a successful guest visit to your school library. STEP 1: BrainstormingTeachers and administrators need to be involved in the planning process in order to feel a sense of ownership. A brainstorming session focusing on funding, school initiatives, classroom themes, or divisional units should take place. This initial discussion will give the teacher-librarian a variety of guest options to pursue. STEP 2: Book GuestTeacher-librarians are usually bombarded by promotional program flyers. Word of warning: you should book a library guest through a professional organization such as Prologue to the Performing Arts, Arts Jam, Mariposa in the Schools, Canadian Children's Book Centre, or the Children's Book Council, or get a reference before booking someone relatively unknown. Guests must be booked months in advance to avoid disappointment. Enquire about special arrangements for a larger audience or special themes geared towards your school's needs. Set the date and time of visit, the size and grade levels of the target audience, ask for permission to record and photograph the visit, arrange payment, and give precise directions for getting to your school. STEP 3: Teacher and Teacher-Librarian Collaboration Collaboration with teachers is essential to ensure students are prepared for the event. Preparation may be as simple as having the teacher share a read aloud novel with his or her class before the author visit, or having the teacher-librarian giving an introductory lesson on the life and works of the upcoming guest. A simple introductory lesson will insure students are focused during the presentation and ask thoughtful questions. STEP 4: PromotionThe guest visit to the library must be promoted within the school and outside the school. Internal promotion includes bulletin board and book displays in the library, posters in the hallways, morning announcements, and school assemblies. Creative promotion ideas can help build excitement for the special event. The local community newspaper can also be a great tool for promoting an event. "Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand." --Chinese Proverb Inviti ng Guests into the Library