I thought I posted this HIT a while ago, but I've had two people request
it, so it may have not gone through as I thought. Here it is (again?):
Original message:
My superintendent called to ask me to give a short library report to our
school board tonight. Other than Usage Statistics, what kinds of things
should I include in the report?
Responses:
I made a PP and included info about month to month things that we've
done in the library. For example, in October, we celebrated
International School Library Day by writing letters to students in
Lebanon. In November, we had a Harry Potter contest to celebrate the
movie premier. In December, we celebrated the movie premier of a local
author's book being made into a movie. In April, our students are
writing to the soldiers in Iraq.
I also included circ statistics, classes taught, and pictures of student
and parent volunteers. And, info about Right-to-Read week.
Any special acquisitions or additions to the collection- any special
projects done by/with teachers involving library resources. Any unusual
new uses of technology.
I would include avg. age of the collection (Check the archives for
formulas), useage of the facility, not just circulation stats,goals for
collection development(ie update Atlases and Almanacs) and a short wish
list.
How about summarizing the things you did with the students during the
past
month - projects, classes, book talks, research , etc. - and/or: what
collaborative classes you did and with what teachers.
Please be sure to include information on how the librarian works with
the teachers and the curriculum to boost student achievement. If you
have state or district standards, it is a good idea to show how they are
supported in the library.
You could also include how you have spent your funds this year as well
as any new strategies/techniques you have employed to increase usage.
Number of books in your collection and how many per student. Number of
classes you've had this year. Sounds like a good time to let them know
what you need.
I did a statistics report from last year and then one for this year to
date.
My last board presentation I showed how libraries support the curriculum
goals of the district. I included average cost of books, etc., but I
downplayed that along with usage statistics and concentrated on
highlighting programs in connection with all the departments and all
levels.
I think you should put in what conferences and workshops you attended in
the past year and what you learned there. I also tell them how many new
books the library received and my inventory statistics. You could also
tell them what you are trying to teach the children in the library.
I would tell them about any "success anecdotes" you might have: e.g., a
student here in the library telling another student, "I hate to read,
but I loved this book - you HAVE to read it." He wouldn't have been
reading if not for the Reading Counts program.
* the number of library orientation or bibliographic instruction you
gave to classes. (weekly, monthly, yearly)
* online database instruction (formal) that you offered to classes.
(weekly, monthly or yearly)
* special programs you offered (author visits, reading programs and
results, other special programs)
* hours that you are open--do you offer any special programs before
or
after school that helps students with their work? Being there is often
the first step...let them know how hard you work.
* the number of students who visited the library throughout the
month--do you keep those statistics?
* the usage numbers of your online databases-- you can get that
information from your online database provider (such as ProQuest or
BigChalk).
* special summer programs that you plan to provide (if any)
* special programs that you presented to the teachers / faculty on
equipment, materials, or databases. (beginning of school, during school,
or planned programs for the future)
* do you provide any outreach programs to parents or after-school
providers? (resources, information, contacts)
* book fairs? Did you have any? What were the results?
* what have you purchased this year that was extremely useful? Let
them know that you appreciate their budget and would like to ask for a
"larger budget" to provide an additional program / service /
resource--whatever you might need, here's the time to "stroke them" for
helping and then let them know what other things you have in mind for
the
future.
* give them some anecdotes about how you see things happening in the
library--what are the kids saying? what are the teachers saying? what
are the parents saying? what do you see as your weaknesses and
strengths? Give them a brief, but positive view of the library and what
it provides.
These are some of the things that I've used in the past. The more they
realize "how much is happening" in the library, the more they want to
continue funding and providing you with the resources you need to do the
"outstanding job" that you're doing!
I would talk about all the research going on in the school and how the
library is involved. I would also talk about programs we have going on
concerning reading or anything else.
I would take a few examples of recent (and popular) acquisitions.
Tell them what you teach, how many students use the library daily, how
much you assist with reading guidance, and how many classes come to the
library to do research.
I keep a month by month calendar of activities that involve the library
such as research for world history, home ec., etc. I always turn in a
narrative report that includes circulation stats, new purchases this
year, special units taught, etc. You might also include the number of
AR books checked out (if you have it), the average reading level of your
students.
talk about the things you teach the students- working with staff to plan
units
Do you have any "success stories" that you can tell -- about a
connection
made with a student, a hard to find professional resource, etc. It
helps
show a "day in the life" of the library in a way that numbers cannot.
Anything that you think is run of the mill / everyday business is new to
them, usually. Number of donations recieved, volunteer hours/work,
projects -- even touching on projects they know about. "Evaluating
collection to determine what materials need to be added," "collection
maintenance,"
any special projects you assisted with, clubs, support teacher
workshops, grants that purchased something special for the library
Well how about including some of the projects you've done this year.
What you've accomplished or added this year. Did you do any major
weeding? An inventory? Any great collaborations? Any new additions to
the collection such as audio books, etc. Anything kids have to say
about the library?
What do you do all day? What do you do all month? What special
activities do you do to promote reading?
How about relating your collection development and literature promotion
activities to literacy outcomes development for students - bring the
resource collection back to the educational aims and vision of the
school/district. In other words let them know why you are VERY important
in terms of education. Your curriculum support is also important - talk
about information literacy skills development, what this means, how/why
technology and the information glut has affected how students learn and
the skills they need to have for lifelong learning. Place yourself up
there as educator first and keeper of the books second. We need to
advertise the importance of libraries and the professionals who run
them. Talk about your collaboration and support of teaching-learning
programs in the school. Usage stats mean nothing in terms of meeting
educational outcomes for students unless you use them to demonstarte how
you have made a difference.
Not only usage stats are important, but what kind of meaningful
activities are the kids engaging in when they come to the LMC?
What skills are they developing by using your resources and what life
long skills are you teaching them? Tell them about the great
collaboration you have with the English, history, etc. teacher that was
special. What are the most valuable resources that you have (a
data base, set of reference books that every class gets great use out
of, etc.) that their tax dollars are used for; that is money well
spent. Be an advocate for your program and make it come alive. What
added value does the LMC provide to the student's day?
This is a great opportunity to let the school committee learn about the
LMC and what it adds to the school.
I would stress how many students and classes you serve and the
instructional work you do. List examples of collaborative projects you
have done with classroom teachers. You really want to emphasize the
teaching part of your job. You also might try to slip in some
references
to studies about how libraries affect student achievement.
These are all of the postings I received. Thanks a million to everyone
who offered suggestions!
Roseann Oden
Seagraves ISD
roden@esc17.net
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archive: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
LM_NET Select/EL-Announce: http://www.cuenet.com/archive/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ven.html
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-
LM_NET
Mailing List Home