Our Libraries in School program runs through the school year with little or no breaks, and plans change and evolve as each week draws by. This year, we decided to focus our direct intervention with a fixed and focussed number of schools, widening our outreach through a simultaneous teacher training program. As such, the school team is just large enough to hold the agreed on schools and just small enough to support, and strengthen each other.
Thus, when a key person and coordinator of this program abruptly withdrew due to unexpected circumstances, we floundered a bit, before our feet touched base again. Schools were reshuffled, dropped tasks rescued and everyone drew together to support and fill the gaps where needed. As the wave receded, the team emerged, flag in hand, that said, yet again ‘We are Hiring!’
All positive spirits were summoned and the notice sent out into the minds and phones of all good supporters. Two weeks later, we had 3 applications. Phone interviews, face interviews, team interviews later, we emerged, with little change and no addition to this very hopeful team. Bewildered and nonplussed, we continued to interview and talk and interact, as we wondered and reasoned about this perceived resistance to library work.
As the new year edged closer and time hastened, a decision was soon resolved on. We now have a coordinator, selected, nominated and supported, from within the team itself. As our new coordinator quietly finds her place within this milieu, we glance briefly through the minds of some of the other team members, as they respond to these changes..
Stephie: “It has been a struggle that the LiS coordinator left, because of her own struggles. Trying to keep our school work going whilst at the same time trying to think and keep track of what a coordinator should be thinking about, brought some nervousness and stress. However, I’m currently feeling hopeful about things. I hope the new coordinator takes this up and I feel she will be open to learning and supportive, and that is giving us the confidence to go forward. “
Melcom: ‘I was feeling the pressure when things were not going on track and there was this big change suddenly, but somehow we managed, although some things fell through.I think it is a struggle to find a new coordinator because often people keep the money and the work in mind, and not the vision.”
Jewel: “I was frustrated and stressed during the interview periods, because it seemed like we put in effort to explain and openly tell everything, but I don’t know what happens. Feeling a little less stressed now, and hoping it will work with our new coordinator.”
Sujata: “ I have been handicapped to help the team as any good leader should do because I have been struggling myself with feelings of being betrayed and let down. All my own making. Having said this, the team that works at Bookworm are superlative in their ability to empathise and accommodate and have put one foot before the other, keeping our vision in mind. The miracle of a substitute for now fills me with hope that is eternal in library work.”
Vandana and Sakshi: “Now we are feeling a little relaxed, running after Shifa. Before we were handicapped, and were rushing half the time, with all pending work getting collected.”
The mike passes to Shifa, our new coordinator as she takes her place within the team.
Shifa: “I am a bit overwhelmed and nervous, but also excited, to join the LiS team as their new coordinator. I haven’t worked with most of them closely before, but I am sure it will be a pleasant experience.”
As we worm our way into the first month of 2020, we are hoping for lots more pleasant surprises, much less unpleasant ones, and more outreach as we continue on, alongside our vision and together.
