Library End-of-Year Report

2008/2009

Statistics

Library Materials:

• Titles - 19,854
• Copies - 39,745 (includes equipment and class sets of novels)
• Unpaid Fines - $8,993.38
• Total Circulation (from 9/1/08 - 4/29/09) - 17,480
• Last Year's Circulation (from 9/1/07 - 4/29/08) - 14,634
• Increase in Circulation of 2,846

Textbooks:

• Titles - 922
• Copies - 35,498
• Checked Out - 13,273
• Unpaid Fines - $68,153.90

I. Library Learning Environment

• Flexible Scheduling - I maintain 3 schoolwide calendars (see sidebar on this wiki, http://bestpractices.pbworks.com).  Teachers can view these calendars at any time.  Teachers check with me (in person or by email) when they want to schedule time to use the library or the laptop carts.  In addition, teachers often send small groups of students or individuals to the library as needed to do research, work on projects, or check out books.
• Atmosphere - I want the library to be seen as an ejoyable and safe place.  We are open in the mornings at 7:15.  We usually have between 60 and 100 students.  Students use the computers, complete homework, read, check out books, play board games, and connect with other students.  I display new books and those that I think students will enjoy, I take pictures of students engaging in various activities and display those, I make the effort to let all students know that they are welcome.  Because I want all students to use the library and read as much as possible, I have made the decision to allow students to check out up to 6 items at a time for 3 weeks (then they can renew their books if necessary for another 3 weeks).  While it is nice for students to have have their I.D. cards to check out books, I also allow them to tell me their I.D. number or I can check out the books by their names.  If students are on the library exclusion list, they can still check out books or use the computers for class assignments.  I do not charge fines for overdue books, only lost books.  In addition, to the physical atmosphere of the library, I maintain a web-based influence through the Library Homepage of Destiny, our library program and a library wiki, http://dsmslibrary.pbworks.com.
• School Curriculum - I talk to students and teachers regularly to ensure that I have the materials and resources that they need.  I also add links regularly to Destiny to support the curriculum.  I ensure that my library aides complete activities and projects that increase their academic and technological skills (see http://dsmslibrary.pbworks.com) as well as do typical aide activities.  As a Teacher Librarian, I completed two Short Cycle Assessment activities.  For both, I used OARS to create my pre- and post-tests.  My first activity actually ended up being a long term assessment activity, but was extremely successful.  I chose the following standard:

1. Sentence Structure 1.1 Use simple, compound, and compound-complex sentences; use effective coordination and subordination of ideas to express complete thoughts.

          I then created a Voice Thread and my students responded and participated.

Voice Thread:

           For my second Short Cycle Asssessment, I chose the following the standard:

1. Vocabulary and Concept Development: 1.5 Understand and explain "shades of meaning" in related words (e.g., softly and quietly).

           Students worked on synonyms and learned to use a thesaurus.  Students

           completed a cloze activity, played online synonym games (my personal            favorite is Scholastic's "Synonym Toast"), and created aWordle using synonyms.

Wordle Examples:

II. Curriculum Integration

• Instruction based on multiple resources - I use a variety of print and online resources to plan my lessons.  For example, for the Ramon Academy students, I created a special Science Fair lesson.  I displayed several Science Fair projects from former students and created a special PowerPoint Ant Appetites.ppt. We compared conducting research to making Chex Mix. I also pulled Science Fair books and added links to webpages on Destiny. For many of our research projects, we guide the students through a sequential process so that they are building their knowledge base.  We encourage students to start with an encyclopedia to get fast facts and keywords, then go to library books.  After the students have the basic facts, we encourage them to use Destiny, either using the links I have set up on the Homepage or Webpath Express.  Then, students may search the Internet.  This process is very successful when we have the time.  I also try to appeal to the various learning styles.  We just did a project with 8th graders that we called, "Speed Dating."  Students sat at tables with a variety of books on them.  They selected a book, then "dated" that book for the next 3 minutes (looked at it, read the back cover, read part of the 1st chapter, etc.).  At the end of 3 minutes, the students switched tables and "dated" another book until they found a match.  The students kept moving and alternated talking with silent reading.  In this way, I was able to introduce them to books that they were not aware of.  Additionally, I often have students use a different format than is traditionally used when working on a specific skill.  For example, when we were working on writing sentences, we created PicLits (combining pictures with literature - this is a great format for working on parts of speech). 

See the full PicLit at PicLits.com

See the full PicLit at PicLits.com

          Instead of a traditional book report, my students made books using ToonDoo.

• Collaborative Planning and Teaching - One of the reasons teachers must talk to me to sign up for library time is that this gives us an opportunity to discuss collaborating on the project or assignment.  The classroom teacher is the content expert and I offer to support that in any way possible.  Several years ago, members of the 6th grade Social Studies team and I collaborated to create the Ancient Egyptian Scavenger Hunt Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.doc.  The lesson plan we developed is Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt Lesson Plan.doc.  This is an incredibly successful project and we do this every year.  Students learn facts about Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt while learning to use encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases, and Destiny, our library program.  The students are actively involved and learn tons.  This year, some 6th grade ELA teachers approached me to help them come up with an activity that would address the standard on electronic text that is not covered in Prentice Hall.  This standard needed to be addressed right before winter break so we wanted the activity to not only cover the standard, but also be motivating and fun.  We decided on the Google Game.  I created a PowerPoint to teach the skills, then we let the students compete.  Google Game.ppt  Google Game.doc  Another recent collaboration was to share the Greek myth, King Midas and compare it to the modern book, The Chocolate Touch.  The students then read the book.  I created a Voice Thread for King Midas.   I have also collaborated with 7th & 8th grade Social Studies and Science teachers.  In addition, I create PowerPoint Book Talks tailored to a specific group of students based on what a teacher requests.  8th Grade Book Recommendations.ppt Literature%2BCircles[2].ppt Book Talk - Verse.ppt
• Stimulates Students to be Active and Independent Learners - One of my goals this year has been to provide activities that are fun and encourage reading.  Our ELA classes are very structured, so the library can help by providing motivating activities.  Some of the activities that the library has sponsored this year are: Talk Like a Pirate Day, 3 Book Clubs, 2 Book Fairs, a Writing Contest, and an Author Visit.  I look for free educational games.  For our synonym activity, the students played "Synonym Toast" http://www.scholastic.com/wordgirl/synonym_toast.htm which was a lot of fun.  The collaborative projects that we do with the whole class also encourage active participation by all students.  It is also important to help the students become independent users of the library.  I do a 6th grade orientation with all interested teachers that show the students how the library is set up, explain what services we provide, show the students how the library is organized, and introduce Destiny.  I have created a Dewey Decimal PowerPoint Dewey Decimal PowerPoint.ppt.  This project then leads into the Ancient Egyptian Scavenger Hunt where the students use these skills.  I also have created an activity that teaches the students about Destiny http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfrm4t9q_343pssjw.  Furthermore, I encourage students to use the Homepage of Destiny for research and other activites.
• Education, Training, and Guidance to Students and Staff in the Use of Information Technology Resources - Technology is a huge part of today's libraries.  I work daily with students, helping them with whatever technology needs that they have.  While I frequently work one-on-one with students, I also teach technology skills to classes (examples: PowerPoint, SmartSound, using Word to create a timeline, how to use Word Art and insert pictures).  I try to stay up with current programs and often practice these new skills with my library aides.  This year, we have used Voice Thread, PicLits, ToonDoo, and Wordle.  Students communicated online with each other through required Discussion Questions.  The classwork for my library aides is maintained on a wiki, http://dsmslibrary.pbworks.com/FrontPage.  One of the new programs that we are having fun with is Voki.  Students are required to make a Voki and record their voice making a book recommendation.  (Vokis are great attention getters.)  I also work with teachers regularly on technology.  A few teachers ask me for help with specific issues.  This year for the District Inservice Day, I conducted an inservice for Librarians and Library Techs on Web2.0.  In addition, I am supporting our site teachers and library staff who are interested in improving their Web2.0 skills using the program Classroom 2.0 http://ctapcl2.blogspot.com/ which is an online learning program sponsored by the California School Library Association and CTAP.  I have set up a PSUSD blog for this program:  http://psusdbooklovers.blogspot.com/.  
•  
• Works with Individuals and Groups as Determined by Student Need - One of the advantages that I have as a librarian is flexibility.  I may teach a lesson to a whole class.  After the lesson, the teacher and I both go around work with the students individually or in small groups (it is definititely advantageous to have another adult in the room).  Before school, I walk around and help students who need it.  During the day, teachers will sometimes send small groups of students or individuals to the library and I work with them as needed.  I have a class this week that is working in small groups on research.  The students were allowed to select their topic so every group is working on something different.  The teacher and I walk around and help the students find information and answer questions that they may have.  In addition, I work with my library aides on their technology and research skills.

III. Resources

• Balanced Selection of Print, Multimedia, and Electronic Resources - We provide library books, reference books, audio books, WebPath Express, and World Book Online.  I provide appropriate Internet links on the Homepage of Destiny.  There are other links on http://dsmslibrary.pbworks.com/.  We provide videos and DVD's to teachers that support the curriculum.
• Balanced Collections Based on Curriculum and User Needs - I continually monitor what projects teachers assign so that I ensure that we have resources to supplement those topics.  For instance, some of our 6th grade teachers do a small assignment on early man.  Our early man books were looking old and tired so this year, that was one of my focuses.  One of our teachers requested books on global warming and some of our books were so old that they no longer had correct information so I weeded those and purchased new up-to-date books.  I purchased books to ensure that our planet section is up-to-date.  When we elected a new President, I made sure that I ordered a book.  Our 900 (History and Geography) section is quite large because all 3 grade levels use it for research and projects.  When we get a new textbook adoption, I check to make sure that our library reflects this (so, since we adopted Math this year, not only did I make sure that we have some interesting math books in our 500 section, I also ordered some fiction books that deal with math).  For our fiction section, I take requests from students, I read reviews, I get recommendations from my list-servs, I check award lists, and I visit book stores.  I try to keep up with the various series as the newer books come out.
• Access to technology - I maintain the calendars for the school-wide laptop carts and the math laptop carts.  In addition, I keep a laptop cart in the library in addition to the 20 other computers that we have. (I discovered that many teachers preferred to bring their students to the library instead of dealing with the issues of the laptop cart in their classrooms so this has worked very well for us.  This also allows more students to have access to computers before school.)  I have a station set up with a laptop and microphone because we have done a lot of recording this year.  If students or teachers have a need, they just check with me and we try to accomodate what they need (camera, headphones, color printer, etc.)
• Reflects a Diverse Community - Our library is a welcome place for all.  We have books on all reading levels (picture books, easy chapter books, middle school novels, and some high school books for our more mature readers).  We have a variety of books and try to provide for all interests.  I have worked to provide books that reflect the make-up of our community so that students can read books about students who are like them.  We have a balance of fiction and nonfiction books.  We have books in all genres. We have books in Spanish.  World Book Online provides resources in Spanish.  We provide a small professional library for teachers.  We have class sets for teachers.  I encourage requests from students and teachers.

 IV. Library Program Managaement

• Informs the School  about Library Programs, Resources, and Services - I regularly make morning announcements so that all students and teachers know about our special activities.  I put signs on the library doors with special announcements.  On the Destiny Homepage, I put key announcements as well as the Book of the Week.  I periodically put out a newsletter for staff members (3 or 4 times a year).  I also give them memos for specific events (textbook check-in, end of year procedures, etc.)
• Collaborates with Other School and Public Librarians - The PSUSD librarians meet regularly (aproximately once a month, often with Dr. Murray).  We also email regularly to discuss issues, ask questions and share ideas.  I talk to the public librarian in DHS occasionally.  In the past, all the librarians (city, county, and school) have met together.  We did a One Book, One Community project with Touching Spirit Bear and had the author, Ben Mikaelsen visit.  This was a huge project and one that we have discussed doing every few years.
• Manages and Appropriately Spends Yearly Library Budget - I do a lot of research and read a lot of reviews so that I spend the library money wisely.  My focus is to support the curriculum and to provide interesting books so that the students will choose to read.  Some of the budget goes to supplies to keep the library functioning and organized.  I supplement the district budget with book fair profits.  I always take the profit in books not money (I get twice as much that way).  This is how we were able to have enough books to run our 3 book clubs this year.
• Provides Updated Materials and Appropriately Discards Out-Dated Materials - This is an ongoing process.  When we find books with out-dated information or that are damaged beyond repair, we weed them.  Last year, I decided that I would focus each year on one section of the library to weed thoroughly and purchase new books.  Last year I focused on the 300 section, and this year I focused on the 100 section.  When we discard textbooks, we follow the district protocol and obtain board approval.