Library Showcase May 2016

Stephenville High School Library

Librarian: Rachel Kammerer

Computer lab aide: Shelly Tuggle

PROJECTS COMPLETED

  • Weeded the entire fiction wall (all genres)
  • Reworked Classic books genre & purchased updated covers for some titles
  • Reworked AP section to have blue “A” sticker, including books in Spanish
  • Created a Western fiction section of its own
  • Consistent cataloging/call # with Chicken Soup for the ____ books (moved to Story Collection)
  • Created a variety of displays throughout the school year (see library webpage for pictures)
  • Created a PSA to promote librarianship

Continued goals & FUTURE GOALS

  • Serve on the campus site based team
  • Collaborate with more teachers on how the library can assist their teaching goals
  • Create a teen library advisory board
  • Create a monthly student-led book club
  • Attend Prime Digital Learning Experience @ ESC & TLA @ San Antonio
  • Weed 600s (books, reference and videos)
  • Replace 600s with more current and relevant resources
  • Consistent cataloging of cookbooks (i.e., Drummond books are in two spots)
  • Clean up records in Alexandria
  • change policies to reflect updated categories
  • change medium types
  • maintain series
  • have consistent cataloging (fix errors)
  • funding source (delete outdated, consistent names)
  • Reestablish SHS staff and student READ posters around campus
  • Create an updated selection development policy
  • Become a YART (Young Adult Round Table) committee member, eventually serving on the Executive Board
  • Go through poster drawer (filing cabinet)
  • Create copyright lessons for teachers
  • Complete Alexandria University certification (alexu.goalexandria.com)

GENERAL LIBRARY DUTIES

Five roles of the school librarian: leader, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher, program administrator

  • Book/materials/supplies/equipment
  • budgeting
  • researching
  • ordering
  • processing (labels, covers, MARC records, property stamp)
  • inventory
  • circulation
  • maintenance
  • repair
  • weeding (damaged, worn, outdated, format)
  • Collection analysis
  • Collaborating with teachers and students
  • Learning the current resources our library provides
  • Teaching staff and students about library resources
  • Helping staff and students find resources
  • Teach information/media/technological literacy
  • Staff development in using databases efficiently
  • Teach documentation of sources/ethical use of information
  • Promotion of our district ebook collection (Overdrive)
  • Reading books in the collection
  • Writing about the books I read (http:readingjourneys.blogspot.com)
  • Created a variety of displays/makerspaces/programs throughout the school year (see library webpage for pictures)
  • Created story time/activities for the Life Skills class
  • ID machine
  • Scheduling of library and labs
  • Shelving materials
  • General library maintenance & cleaning
  • Laminating
  • Update and enhance library website
  • Overseeing student workers
  • Sending the elevator up and down
  • Collect monthly statistics and create report
  • Daily mail (magazines, solicitations, other correspondence)
  • Strive to meet state library standards
  • Maintained an SHS student spotlight display using newspaper clippings
  • Doing research and scanning pictures using the SHS annuals for staff and community members

CIRCULATION AND USE STATISTICS

Active Patrons in Alexandria: 1947

Number of items (books, equipment, and A/V) in library (per Super Summary report):17154

Items per student: 16.84

Average age of collection: 1996

Total replacement cost for all titles (per item analysis report) is $401,670.64 (This number is based on amount entered in Alexandria. This may not be 100% accurate.)

Total number of checked out items for school year 2015-2016: 9507

Total number of ebooks checked out

  • District wide 3025 (increase of 1335 over last year)
  • high school 185 (increase of 45 over last year)

Total lost items: 121 (5 items to withdrawn students)

  • Total replacement cost $ 2606.24
  • Total collected from patrons $ 584.21

Total discarded items: 1048(due to damaged or weeded)

  • Total cost of items printed $19,184.49

CLASSROOM USE OF LIBRARY FACILITIES

There were 17,098 students that signed in (not with a class) and 33,925 students (with classes) through the library doors using the computers and/or checking out books. I collaborated with teachers on some of these lessons:

  • Using databases/web literacy
  • Book talks
  • Freshmen orientation
  • Research projects

The 204 lab was regularly utilized. The total usage of this lab was 17825 students for the year.

The 206 lab had6 class periods of regular use and no additional bookings.

CLOSED DAYS

  • PTO Thanksgiving luncheon (November 20)
  • Career Day (March 4) am only
  • Inventory (May 16-27)
  • Testing: ACT (October 14) am only, STAAR (March 29, 31, May 2, 3, 4, 5), TSI (April 6, 12)

DATABASES

We subscribed to databases through the TexShare program, giving us access to Gale, Britannica School, (added this year) and Adam Mathew Digital (added this year). Additionally, we maintained subscriptions to EBSCO, Maps 101, Teaching Books, Discovery Education, and Country Reports.

NEW PURCHASES/ACQUISITIONS

This year most of the proprietary budget was spent on books, focusing on updating the fiction wall, student and teacher requests, and replacing books that have been damaged.

I purchased a new wireless scanner for the Alexandria circulation system.

I was able to order many posters and bookmarks promoting our databases. These were free of charge.

TEACHERS AND THE LIBRARY

Being part of the library is not an autonomous job. On any regular working day, the library assists students not only with books and technology, but also helping the campus run smoothly by creating IDs, color printing, laminating, managing Extended Day assignments, and calling Technology to reset passwords or help troubleshoot other computer issues.

I try to build relationships with all teachers and students on a daily basis.

The district librarians met monthly to discuss issues and practices related to our libraries, Alexandria and Overdrive. We also discussed new initiatives we’d like to explore and used the time to share what we learned at various workshops, conferences, webinars, etc. with each other. These meetings were a useful time for collaboration and professional growth.

I proofread various documents for staff members during the year.

I often pull books for teachers to facilitate efficiency in the library as well as identify gaps in the collection.

When I get a new book that I think a particular teacher can use in his/her curriculum, I promote it to the teacher. I’ve also created lists that will help both student and teacher find books related to a topic (i.e., Holocaust fiction to supplement the non-fiction titles students use for research).

STUDENTS AND THE LIBRARY

I often promote student projects in the library. This year, I hosted Mrs. Mahan’s Pre-AP English II summer reading projects of Jay Asher’s book Thirteen Reasons Why.

I did library orientation through the MAPS classes. Then, I had them return each month to learn more about our databases. We were able to complete three scavenger hunts using Explora, Literature Resource Center and General One File.

We held an election for students to vote on which manga series I should buy next. (Black Butler won by a landslide!)

Students were encouraged to enter the pumpkin carving contest. The carved pumpkin was supposed to be a favorite book character. (See library website for photos).

We are a source of information, including any school wide programs. For example, we put reminders on each computer for students to register for the Career Day event. Additionally, we hung flyers to promote plays, exhibits and organizational activities.

Not only do we change book displays, we create student interactive displays. For November, we created a “Thankful Tree” that students could write what they were thankful for on leaves and add it to the tree. In April, to celebrate School Library Month, students were asked to share “What do you love about your library?” Some responses:

  • “Crafts,”“games,” and “books”
  • “Lots of books and no obnoxious people”
  • “The library is a sanctuary. It is a place of for friendship.”
  • “Students are allowed to use computers.”
  • “I love the endless choices.”
  • “That they will never stop using real books.”
  • “So many book genres, and they have the books I love.”
  • “Accessible almost 100% of the time.”
  • “The staff,” “the people,” “the lovely people who work in it,” and “my library aide friend”

Promoted ebooks and SYNC Audiobooks through Overdrive

On average, 80 students came to the library when we had Fun Monday activities. They used the computers, checked out books, played games, worked on homework, and “hung out” with friends.

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

I got a MacBook.

I facilitated a Tech Day in the library for teachers to have a Q & A session with staff from the Technology Department for help using their new Mac Books.

Additionally, the library computers required “more memory” for students. The Technology Department worked on clearing out and replacing the hard drives.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Weekly Twitter chats with professional learning network (#txlchat)
  • Texas Library Association conference in Houston
  • Not Just a Teen Demographic workshop at Abilene Public Library
  • Prime Digital Learning at ESC Region XI
  • #NTXLib Professional Learning Network conference