Amherst Regional High School Library
AMHERSTREGIONALHIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY BUDGET OVERVIEW
5-YEAR PLAN
YEAR 3 – 2000/2001
In the past three years, the use of the library has skyrocketed. This is in part due to the trimester block schedule. The longer periods allow enough time for the library staff to teach students about the research process, how to use specific resources, and still have substantial time for the students to pursue in-depth research. I believe that the teachers using the library would concur that the quality of student research has improved significantly and that we are seeing students become more information literate as they proceed from 9th through 12th grade.
This year (1999-00) the library is averaging 12 classes a day, 22 study hall students per period, and 50 students between the end of school and our 6PM closing. That conservatively comes to 424 students – just under one-third of the student body each day.
The library collection is still in need of updating and expansion. The inclusion of the 9th grade curriculum is ongoing and many more resources are still needed especially in the areas of science and social studies. As the frameworks continue to change at all grade levels, and the curriculum continues to include new units to match them, the library collection must not only be updated, but must also expand in depth and breadth to meet the new demands.
Since opening the new library, a determined effort has been made to update the collection and to make it more diverse multiculturally and academically. In 1997 a 5-year budget plan was proposed to accomplish our goal of creating a library that truly meets the needs of our students and teachers. The proposal included an additional expenditure of $10,000 per year for five years to upgrade the print collection.. The first installment was received in 1998/99. For the 1999/00 year the school committee deferred the expenditure. We need to reinstate this funding for the 2000/01 - 2003/04 budget years in order to reach an acceptable level of quality and quantity for our school. After that we would have a collection that could be sustained on a maintenance budget.
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
We have entered an era when electronic materials are as necessary to the collection as print resources. One of the benefits of electronic resources is currency. While some resources are purchased as subscriptions, which are frequently updated as part of the service, others must be periodically and systematically updated on a rotating basis just as we do the print collection.
Currency, increased accessibility, and a multi-modal approach are important reasons for using our computer network to its fullest capability to provide library resources that can be accessed throughout the school. On a rotating basis, these materials should be updated.
PROFESSIONAL
This year’s professional budget requests an additional $1,000.00 to build a collection. It is essential that we develop a significant, vibrant body of professional literature if we are to grow professionally to meet the needs of our students in the coming years. A good professional library in the school could help to promote study groups, mentoring, new curriculum initiatives, etc. As noted in the past, the high school did not have a professional library until 3 years ago. To build a quality collection, a minimum of $1,000.00 per year is requested for the next 3-5 years in addition to the regular budget for this line item.
TECHNOLOGY
Last year’s request and plan for upgrading and increasing the number of computers in the library was deferred. The library computers will be 4 years old and will have received constant daily use by the time the 2000/01-budget plan can be implemented. In consultation with Information Systems, it is agreed that the best way to proceed now would be to replace all of the library’s student and staff computers with new ones, and add 8 new stations. (6 student and 2 staff) During peak times in the library, students also use staff stations to provide greater access. This would result in a total of 35 stations and would better accommodate the times (which often happen) when there are over 100 students using the library at once.
STAFFING
We are at a crucial juncture in the library media program at the High School. In order to continue to expand our program, we will need another full-time professional librarian to share both the teaching and business duties of the library. The formal budget request document details the reasons for this.
The library paraprofessionals should be moved to the level of instructional assistants. Their daily responsibilities exceed the competencies described in that job description, yet they are still classified as instructional paraprofessionals. The success of the library program depends on their work with students. We are having a more difficult time finding and keeping qualified staff. Please seriously consider this proposal.