1. Have you had a chance to get a Titlewave account set up? What features did you especially like that were pointed out during the Follett presentation? Do you think this tool will help you in your work as a library media specialist? How, specifically?
I do have a Titlewave account which was set up shortly after I started my job. Some of the features that I thought were really neat were finding out the date of each of the books. I also like that it had showed what percentage each section took up in your library and compared it to ideas of what should be in a library. I think that will allow me to easily see what areas I need to work on. Titlewave also makes it really easy to purchase items that a school needs and ones that fit in with the curriculum. I think this tool will help me in an amazing why in the library. The tools that Titlewave has will allow me to weed better, to purchase better, and to analyze my collection with a different viewpoint. I also think that by using information from Titlewave I will be better able to show administration and other teachers what is available to students and themselves.
2. What questions or comments do you have about the Follett presentation or Titlewave as you start to explore it on your own? The presenters didn't talk a great deal about what's called "full processing". Do you know what that includes? (If you don't, don't worry, we'll talk about it in class.) If you are familiar with this, what is it? Would you spend your library money on it? Why?
I don’t have any question besides the full processing. I know that I can get full processing through Follett, which I think is when they barcode, put on the call number, and cover the book. However, I’m not sure if they do the tattle tape or the school marking inside the book. I would also be curious to find out how much the full processing is. I do think that I will spend money on the full processing due to the fact that processing takes a ton of time and I think it is more valuable for me to spend my time with the students, working on lessons and staff in-service, keeping the website up-to-date, finding new tools to be used online, etc.
3. How is your Library Web Page progressing? Any concerns, comments or tips that you have this week?
My Library Media Web Page is progressing fine. I’m working on it a little bit at a time. I feel like I have a lot done, but at the same time I feel like there is so much yet to complete for it to be called finished.
4. Does your district have a Selection Policy for library materials? How would you rate it? Why?
My district does have a Selection Policy. I reviewed it for last week and rated it a 27. I thought that it was well done in general, but there I thought that the philosophy could have been clearer. I do feel that a great deal of time and effort went in to the selection policy.
5. Any questions or concerns that you've run into as you start to think about your Needs-Based Three-Year Improvement Plan?
I think that you clarified the Needs-Based-Three Year Improvement Plan well in class. Understanding that I should focus on three areas makes it seem much more manageable. I don’t think that I have any questions regarding what needs to be done.
6. Please describe 3 things that you found out about at the Milwaukee Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 4th.
Three things I found out about the Milwaukee Public Library…
1. They have a program for loaning books to patrons who have visual needs. They will ship the books to the homes of those individuals and teachers can request loans for students.
2. The Childrens sections is separate from the rest of the library which makes it more conducive to allowing children to be children and not disturb other patrons.
3. There is a section for teenagers, but it is minimal and lacking. This really surprised me.
7. Discuss 2 features of the Stritch Library that you really liked on your December 4th visit.
One thing I really liked about the Stritch Library is that it looked like a place where college age students would want to go. The furniture was up-to-date, computer table were funky, etc. I think the library definitely is trying to keep up with the age of population that it focuses on. I also like the feature of the library website. I think t here was a great deal of information on the website and the lay out was easy to use.
I agree that the teen section was minimal and lacking. What are some ideas that you would do to make it more appealing? With you being in a middle school do you find that it's difficult to engage the students in reading or is is pretty simple? What display styles do you use to engage the student's interest?
ReplyDeleteTp piggyback on Katelyn's comment, how do you display...um...displays? How decorative is your library? I ask because one of my libraries is pretty spartan, and I have to decorate. Plus the school is trying to go IB, and I have no idea what the IB people are looking for. Anyone looking to help decorate?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you are using Titlewave. I believe that as you continue using it you will depend on it for more and more information and assistance. It is a very valuable tool. We will talk about full processing more in class and I have an email in to FLR to give a breakdown of types of processing and cost that I will share in class, too.
ReplyDeleteRegarding displays, it is a really important part of the library. Just one more way to get patrons to look at what you have. For ideas for displays, I think a really good place to look is at local bookstores. They have experts in display working in their stores. Borrow ideas from them. Visit a Barnes and Noble, Borders, etc. and specifically check out how they have things set out, signage and specific displays for different age groups and subjects. You'll get all sorts of new ideas. Visiting your local public libraries can be helpful, along with checking other school libraries in your district. Finally, ask the people in your online PLN. You'll get loads of ideas. Instead of being a chore, displays and decorating will become fun.
Katelyn - I have found that by encouraging students to "decorate" the library with their works of art it really helps make the library appeal more to them.
ReplyDeleteI think that reluctant readers are the same in the middle school as they are at other levels. You just really have to work at finding something they are interested in. I have one student who was my student in class last year and I couldn't get her to pick up a book. I think she read one all of last year. This year, as the librarian, I was able to spend more time with her in the library going through what might interest her. She has read five books so far. It is a real victory!!
For those who asked about displays in my library here are some examples of what I've done.
ReplyDeleteI use student art work to decorate the top of the shelves. They love to see their artwork. Most recently, I worked in collaboration with the special ed/art/reading departments and students made new covers for the Battle of the Book titles.
I have a display case that I change every 3-4 weeks. Currently it holds many books related to frogs, as the 7th grade class is going to the MPM to view the frog exhibit.
Lastly, the newest books are located in the front of the library so that students can see them when they walk in the door.
I also usually try to decorate to the season. I think it's important to make the library a warm and inviting space. A place where the students and staff want to come.