LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Part 1
Here's the hit for the new collection question I asked a few weeks ago.
My schedule has been extremely hectic and I finally got to the hit
today. Thanks to everyone who helped!
My original question was asking about what to ask for in a new
collection for a High School Library.
Ten years ago, we built a new facility which brought two separate
collections into one physical space; two separate print collections were
maintained, with a single integrated
(Winnebago) card catalog, and joint video, CD-ROM and computer
resources. I construct my budget by allocating funds for the reference
collections (print and non-print resources) and the periodical
collections, then adding a sum equal to $20.00/student for current,
circulating fiction and non-fiction. The individual collections had had
decent budget support prior to the new facility, so we weren't
overcoming a lot of dead wood.
*******************************
A local middle school spent $225,000 on their new collection. The HS
should be somewhat more, but there aren't more than $250,000 items you
would want to buy for a HS --- and these figures are for bringing
nothing along from the old school. I have built probably 15 collections
in the past three years - and these seem to be the figures that prevail.
I did several
elementary ones for $50,000 and they were totally inadequate - so sent
along suggested purchases for succeeding years for at least another
$50,000 - $75,000.
Figure how large you want and the average each title at $18; reference average
at $30 per volume.
*******************************
We are in exactly the same boat as you. We are moving into a new high
school in Sept of 2001. I went to my superintendent and asked what he
wanted me to do. He said, walk away!!! Order all new and leave
everything behind for the middle school. I only have 8300 volumes for
our 6-12 middle high school right now!! (560 in our high school, 600
in our middle school). I contacted Follett and they produced a list
based on Frameworks and number of titles. It looks like it is going to
cost about 350k to replace the collection of 8000volumes. I will still
take a few with me that I know the middle school will never use like
bloom's criticisms. These are fairly new and we use them a lot. I may
also encourage some of my high school staff to check out books they use
a lot and then if they are not in the new collection, they will still
have access to them.
*******************************
When I opened a new high school last year I asked how many books per student
the administration wanted and gave them the state standards, 15 to be
acceptable, 18 to be recognized, and 20 to be exemplary. I then multiplied
the number by the projected number of students and multiplied that
number by
$20. Surprisingly enough I got the money for 20 books per student. I also
budgeted for periodicals and other expenses.
*******************************
Back in 1991, with about the same number of students and a new
library to put together, I had a budget of $216,000 for a circ/cat
software and computers, videos, tapes, books, supplies, etc.. Not
furnishings
*******************************
We just opened a new Middle school building with 600 students. In
addition to moving, I also automated the library. I was lucky enough to
have
a very generous building committee. The library was given a lot of money
for
an Opening Day Collection. This money was just for books. I was able to
purchase a number of reference titles that I could not afford otherwise.
Also, we added the sixth grade. Last year our Middle School was
just
7th and 8th. There were a number of planning committees that I had
access
to. I needed information on the 6th grade curriculum so I could add to
the
collection in that area. I sent out a request for books form to all the
teachers who would be teaching in the new middle school. I got a lot of
response.
As for the number of books to add to the collection, our
consultant
said we needed 14,000 volumes to meet some kind of regulation. The
information that I have been able to attain recommend 20 books per
student.
This would be about 12,000 books by my calculation.
I think the number of books per student may be higher for high
school students. I think the SBAB can give you guidelines as well as the
ALA
web site.
I hope this was a bit helpful. You could multiply the number of
books needed by a dollar amount ( $30) to generate a figure for your
building committee.
*******************************
Part 2 will follow.
Kathryn Blair
Library Media Specialist
Littleton Jr/Sr High School
Littleton, MA
kblair@mv.com
A KidsConnect Volunteer
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