Previous by DateNext by Date Date Index
Previous by ThreadNext by Thread Thread Index
LM_NET Archive



I disagree. Inventory is not just about counting books. Doing an
inventory is a way to get to know one's collection. That helps us to be
better media specialists and better at getting books into the right
hands (and here I am talking about matching books to teachers and
curriculum needs.)

Inventory is also about teaching students to be responsible. I have a
collection that has been built with very limited budget funds (and
other funds that I constantly raise myself), so making sure that we
start the school year with everything back from students (and teachers)
is also very important. Then those same materials can be used again
(and again).

Inventory is also a time to be doing some much needed weeding and even
a bit of mending if possible. I certainly don't get to it much
throughout the year.

I am a media specialist with 29 years of service.  I have no clerical
help but I still make time to do an inventory. I once had three schools
(and less interruptions when our jobs were "just about the books") but
did inventory each collection at that time. It took two full weeks. Now
I can inventory about 8,000 items  in about 4 days (with some volunteer
help) and provide limited services to teachers and students with all
kinds of issues, including technology, at the same time.  If I am
needed, I stop to take care of a problem, but I still inventory with
the goal to get it done before the last day so I can participate in our
final awards assembly.

Unless my school is different than others out there, it is typical that
there is not much going on in the way of educational experiences or
achievement during the last week of school. That week is about field
trips and field days and assemblies so it is the perfect time to
inventory.
Deb Hendrickson

Deborah J. Hendrickson, M.S.L.S
Media Specialist/Technology Leader
Westernport Elementary School
172 Church Street
Westernport, MD 21562
DHendrickson@allconet.org (work e-mail)

On Friday, April 1, 2005, at 11:31 AM, Gail K Dickinson wrote:

> Regarding inventory.   Another question is "why do an inventory".
> School
> libraries are about the only type of library inventorying on an annual
> basis, and we tend to have the smallest collections and a (relatively)
> captive patron base.  Surely spending hours and hours to find 10 books
> missing could be spent in user services, rather than counting.   If we
> absolutely must feel like we must honor the past by inventorying, maybe
> every 5 years?   or maybe 1/3 to 1/5 of the collection a year,  so
> that at
> the end of the cycle it would have all been touched.   For those who
> argue
> that they want to know what's missing and update the catalog, I would
> point
> out that it will never be 100% accurate, and even continuous
> inventories
> would probably produce different numbers.
>
> And, if it's because someone else makes us, maybe it's time to point
> out
> that the emperor has no clothes.    Just some thoughts.
> If  you are trying to serve children in 5 different schools, I don't
> know
> that inventory will make an appreciable difference in their educational
> experiences or achievement.
>
> Gail K. Dickinson, PhD
> 249-6 Dept of Educational Curriculum and Instruction
> Darden College of Education
> Old Dominion University
> Norfolk, VA 23529
> gdickins@odu.edu
> 757-683-6683
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> 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://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
> LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

--------------------------------------------------------------------
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://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------

LM_NET Mailing List Home