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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 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-