HIT: AR Startup (Part 4)

[Julie Rosenoff <julier@IEA.COM>]

 These are the hints I got in response to my request for AR startup
information about:
1) how to edit AR book's MARC records
2)how to physically mark the AR books (including grade level) for
   visual reference


Julie Rosenoff
Library Media Specialist
Progress Elementary, Veradale WA
jrosenoff@cvsd.org

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 **                     PART FOUR:                           ***
 **Editing MARC records and physically marking the AR books. ***
 ***************************************************************
=======================================
I found this recent MARC tag note that pertains to Accelerated Reader Books.
The MARC Advisory Committee approved the 526 tag in summer 1998, but it has
not yet been implemented and documented.

http://www.fsc.follett.com/libraries/data/marctags/tag526.html
==========================================
***MARC records:***
For the online catalog (we use Sirsi-Unicorn) I edit each book title by
adding an extra subject heading into the MARC record . I list the subject
heading as Accelerated Reader.  Then when you do a subject search, you can
enter Accelerated Reader, and it will list all the pertinent titles.
==========================================
Subject: ELEM: Re-color coding my AR books LONG

On January 27, Penny McAllister <pmcallis@ces.tusc.k12.al.us> posted a
detailed description of how and why she changed her library AR book markings
from just one color to a separate color for each grade level. She also added
a horizontal line in the colored dot on the spine if the book is in the .5
to .9 range of that grade level. If you're at all interested I'd recommend
you go to the archives and read it!
==========================================
****color-coding books:***
For visual reference, purchase Accelerated Reader lables (I think I got mine
from Demco or Gaylord) and place them on the spine of each book.  You can
purchase them according to general level (for instance... purple is level
6...green is level 5...etc.) However, I have already leveled my books by
color dotting with specific levels as shown in the Accelerated Reader lists
(ex. Amelia Bedilia is 3.2). (I made level 1 Yellow, Level 2 Lite Green,
Level 3 Red, Level 4 Blue, Level 5 Orange, and Level 6 Dark Green) I used
half inch color code dots which are available from most office supply
stores.

==========================================
Cyndi Gates <cgates@mail.columbus.k12.ia.us> shared what she's done in
starting  AR in 2 schools now.
 1.  Print out a book list from the AR reports section of the program.  Go
through your Follett system and identify all the books you already have.
 2.  Put a dot on the spine of each AR book (I choose to keep the books
shelved with everything else, not separated).
 3.  Another thing I do is print out book labels (also from the reports
section of AR), giving the level and point values so that kids can tell at a
glance whether the book is at their level.
 4.  Have the teacher give the kids a list of books available to them in
their reading range.  The kids can use this to choose 2 or 3 books before
they come to the library.  It makes it easier for the kids to look if they
have some focus when they come.

Good luck.  Looking at this, it doesn't sound "easy" to me, but you'll be
glad you did the work when you have classes coming in looking for books.
Also, it gives the program a chance to work if kids feel successful when
they come looking for books!
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As for marking them, anything on the spine will suffice - we use a blue X.
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End of Part 4.

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