The following are highlights from the complete report. The entire report can be downloaded by clicking HERE. Introduction
For the 2009-2010 school year the South Park High School Library Media Center (LMC) has been staffed by one full-time certified School Librarian. This report will highlight key factors in the day-to-day operations as well as special events and collaborations. The goal of this report is to summarize the use and importance of an accessible and dynamic school library and Information Literacy program.
Circulation In-House
The LMC checked out a total of 1179 books. Of these, 477 were fiction. September and October saw total checkouts over 200 per month. This is mainly due to the Senior Research Paper that was worked on during these months.
Inter-Library Loan
This school year the library requested and received 47 books through the ACCESS PA Inter-Library Loan system. The LMC sent out 17 books to other requesting libraries.
Periodicals
The LMC received 49 print periodicals.
Classroom Use Computer Lab Statistics
A total of 415 class periods were scheduled for use of the library’s computer lab. At an average of 20 students per class, 8,300 students used the lab with classes this year. Of those classes that used the lab 69 received some form of instruction or assistance with resources from the school librarian. A breakdown of use by month is provided below.
Purchases and Acquisitions Books and Periodical Purchases
A total of 301 print books and 49 periodicals were purchased this year.
Supplies Purchases
These monies purchased various supplies necessary for the day-to-day operations of the LMC, promotion of books and LMC events and those supplies necessary for Inter-Library Loan operations.
Database Statistics Power Library Statistics
Statistics regarding searches conducted in the Power Library collection of databases are available from September 2009 through March 2010. During these seven months South Park High School conducted 12,486 searches. A majority of these searches (11,901) were conducted within databases provided through EBSCO. Unfortunately, due to state budget cuts most of the databases provided by EBSCO (and others) were cut from the Power Library at the end of January.
Technology Library Wiki
This year the LMC used WikiSpaces to create a Wiki site for library information. This site is available at the following address http://sparkhslibrary.wikispaces.com/
Use of with Classes
The school librarian collaborated with the 11th grade English teacher to have some classes create a WikiSpaces page as a cumulative portion of research.
Computers and Printers
Senior Research Paper
The library and lab house 33 computers. The library has 7 computers located as kiosk stations. Four of these are Mac computers that are limited to Internet use only. The other three units are PCs that are equipped with all programs necessary for student use. The lab contains 28 computers for student use and one computer for instructor use. The instructor computer is connected to the LCD projector for class instruction.
The LMC has two black and white printers available for student use. One is located at the main desk for those printing from the kiosks in the library as well as those printing from other areas in the school. The other printer is located in the computer lab and is available for students and staff printing from the lab and from the circulation desk.
Teachers and the Library Resources Used by Teachers
Increased collaboration and communication with the teachers has resulted in increased use of resources by teachers. This includes both print and electronic resources. In addition, the school librarian has worked to obtain resources for teachers and students through the public library inter-library loan system to ensure access to appropriate and desired resources.
Collaboration
The school librarian has collaborated with teachers by directly planning research projects together, teaching information literacy skills to curriculum-set research units, suggesting resources to be added to the curriculum and taking teacher suggestions for resources to be added to the library collection.
Classes that received information literacy instruction include:
English
Business & Personal Finance
Study Hall Students
U.S. History
Environmental Science
Use of Facility for School Activities
The LMC provided a meeting space for activities during the school day. The student organization Changes used the LMC and computers to have South Park and visiting students complete an online survey. Also, the LMC provided space for an Academic League competition and a break out session for students during the World Environment Day.
Library & Literacy Advocacy Lit Club
The school librarian is the sponsor of the Lit Club. This club is open to all students. The Lit Club reads approximately one book a month with a cumulative meeting after school to discuss the book and periodical homeroom meetings to check in on students’ progress and ideas for books to read. Students may choose which books they would like to read and which meetings they would like to participate in. Membership in the club does not require any particular readings.
End of the Year Lit Club Party
This year the Lit Club read:
The five people you meet in heaven by Mitch Albom
The Declaration by Gemma Malley
The book thief by Markus Zusak
The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
The lovely bones by Alice Sebold
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
A long way gone: memoirs of a boy soldier by Ishmael Beah
Book Promotion
The school librarian encourages young adult literacy and a life-long love of reading by promoting books for recreational reading. The library’s wiki uses Shelfari to display recommendations from the school librarian as well as book lists and book trailers created by the school librarian.
Students were also encouraged to participate in the Great Scavenger Hunt Contest, a national contest that has students choose books from a list, answer questions on the books and be entered into a prize drawing. http://www.kaycassidy.com/hunt/
Towards the end of each school year the librarian takes recommendations from students and staff for summer reads. This list is available on the library’s wiki.
Displays
Displays are created throughout the year to highlight books depending on theme or other events. Some displays this year included:
Spring Display
New books (Fall and Spring)
Banned books display for Banned Books Week in September
Local (Pennsylvania) interest
“Books with Bite” – cooking books
Books for the Great Scavenger Hunt Contest (see above)
Poetry for National Poetry Month in April
“Best Book I Read” display as part of School Library Month celebration in April
Events
The LMC hosted various activities and contests to promote and celebrate Teen Read Week (October) and School Library Month (April).
Relay Race - Found it!
On the hunt for books
Board Games
Summary
The 2009-2010 school year was busy in the South Park High School Library Media Center. More books were checked out and more classes used the library and its resources than last year. The increase in resource usage proves that students and faculty value an accessible and thorough library and information literacy program.
State of the Library 2009-2010
The following are highlights from the complete report. The entire report can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
Introduction
For the 2009-2010 school year the South Park High School Library Media Center (LMC) has been staffed by one full-time certified School Librarian. This report will highlight key factors in the day-to-day operations as well as special events and collaborations. The goal of this report is to summarize the use and importance of an accessible and dynamic school library and Information Literacy program.
Circulation
In-House
The LMC checked out a total of 1179 books. Of these, 477 were fiction. September and October saw total checkouts over 200 per month. This is mainly due to the Senior Research Paper that was worked on during these months.
Inter-Library Loan
This school year the library requested and received 47 books through the ACCESS PA Inter-Library Loan system. The LMC sent out 17 books to other requesting libraries.
Periodicals
The LMC received 49 print periodicals.
Classroom Use
Computer Lab Statistics
A total of 415 class periods were scheduled for use of the library’s computer lab. At an average of 20 students per class, 8,300 students used the lab with classes this year. Of those classes that used the lab 69 received some form of instruction or assistance with resources from the school librarian. A breakdown of use by month is provided below.
Purchases and Acquisitions
Books and Periodical Purchases
A total of 301 print books and 49 periodicals were purchased this year.
Supplies Purchases
These monies purchased various supplies necessary for the day-to-day operations of the LMC, promotion of books and LMC events and those supplies necessary for Inter-Library Loan operations.
Database Statistics
Power Library Statistics
Statistics regarding searches conducted in the Power Library collection of databases are available from September 2009 through March 2010. During these seven months South Park High School conducted 12,486 searches. A majority of these searches (11,901) were conducted within databases provided through EBSCO. Unfortunately, due to state budget cuts most of the databases provided by EBSCO (and others) were cut from the Power Library at the end of January.
Technology
Library Wiki
This year the LMC used WikiSpaces to create a Wiki site for library information. This site is available at the following address http://sparkhslibrary.wikispaces.com/
Use of with Classes
The school librarian collaborated with the 11th grade English teacher to have some classes create a WikiSpaces page as a cumulative portion of research.
Computers and Printers
The library and lab house 33 computers. The library has 7 computers located as kiosk stations. Four of these are Mac computers that are limited to Internet use only. The other three units are PCs that are equipped with all programs necessary for student use. The lab contains 28 computers for student use and one computer for instructor use. The instructor computer is connected to the LCD projector for class instruction.
The LMC has two black and white printers available for student use. One is located at the main desk for those printing from the kiosks in the library as well as those printing from other areas in the school. The other printer is located in the computer lab and is available for students and staff printing from the lab and from the circulation desk.
Teachers and the Library
Resources Used by Teachers
Increased collaboration and communication with the teachers has resulted in increased use of resources by teachers. This includes both print and electronic resources. In addition, the school librarian has worked to obtain resources for teachers and students through the public library inter-library loan system to ensure access to appropriate and desired resources.
Collaboration
The school librarian has collaborated with teachers by directly planning research projects together, teaching information literacy skills to curriculum-set research units, suggesting resources to be added to the curriculum and taking teacher suggestions for resources to be added to the library collection.
Classes that received information literacy instruction include:
Use of Facility for School Activities
The LMC provided a meeting space for activities during the school day. The student organization Changes used the LMC and computers to have South Park and visiting students complete an online survey. Also, the LMC provided space for an Academic League competition and a break out session for students during the World Environment Day.
Library & Literacy Advocacy
Lit Club
The school librarian is the sponsor of the Lit Club. This club is open to all students. The Lit Club reads approximately one book a month with a cumulative meeting after school to discuss the book and periodical homeroom meetings to check in on students’ progress and ideas for books to read. Students may choose which books they would like to read and which meetings they would like to participate in. Membership in the club does not require any particular readings.
This year the Lit Club read:
Book Promotion
The school librarian encourages young adult literacy and a life-long love of reading by promoting books for recreational reading. The library’s wiki uses Shelfari to display recommendations from the school librarian as well as book lists and book trailers created by the school librarian.
Students were also encouraged to participate in the Great Scavenger Hunt Contest, a national contest that has students choose books from a list, answer questions on the books and be entered into a prize drawing. http://www.kaycassidy.com/hunt/
Towards the end of each school year the librarian takes recommendations from students and staff for summer reads. This list is available on the library’s wiki.
Displays
Displays are created throughout the year to highlight books depending on theme or other events. Some displays this year included:
Events
The LMC hosted various activities and contests to promote and celebrate Teen Read Week (October) and School Library Month (April).
Summary
The 2009-2010 school year was busy in the South Park High School Library Media Center. More books were checked out and more classes used the library and its resources than last year. The increase in resource usage proves that students and faculty value an accessible and thorough library and information literacy program.