A SCHOOL LIBRARY A SCHOOL LIBRARY COLLECTION ANALYSIS COLLECTION ANALYSIS
FOCUSED ON FOCUSED ON RESOURCES AVAILABLE RESOURCES AVAILABLE
FOR FIFTH GRADE FOR FIFTH GRADE RESEARCH TOPICSRESEARCH TOPICS
The problem:The problem:
Will the current collection of Will the current collection of the Lakehurst Elementary the Lakehurst Elementary School library support the School library support the curriculum change toward curriculum change toward
research and research research and research skills?skills?
Research Research QuestionsQuestions
Sources of Sources of InformationInformation Brown, M. D. (2000). Outdated school libraries: Brown, M. D. (2000). Outdated school libraries:
What can you do to update yours? What can you do to update yours? Education Education World.World.
Burgin, R., & Bracy, P. B. (2003). Burgin, R., & Bracy, P. B. (2003). An essential An essential connection: How quality school library media connection: How quality school library media programs improve student achievement in North programs improve student achievement in North Carolina.Carolina.
Rodney, M. J., Lance, K. C., & Hamilton-Pennel, C. Rodney, M. J., Lance, K. C., & Hamilton-Pennel, C. (2002). (2002). Make the connection: Quality school library Make the connection: Quality school library media programs impact academic achievement in media programs impact academic achievement in Iowa.Iowa.
MethodologyMethodology
FirstFirst:: Identify the useful library Identify the useful library
resources already in place to resources already in place to support these five projects. support these five projects.
MethodologyMethodology
Second:Second:
Determine whether additional Determine whether additional resources were needed and, if resources were needed and, if so, what resources could best so, what resources could best satisfy the needs of the fifth satisfy the needs of the fifth grade teachers and students.grade teachers and students.
Population & Population & ContextContextFifth-grade students and teachers Fifth-grade students and teachers
at Lakehurst Elementary Schoolat Lakehurst Elementary SchoolK-8K-8475 students475 students82 staff members82 staff membersTransitory military population Transitory military population
(18%)(18%)
Data CollectionData Collection Identify resources in current collectionIdentify resources in current collection
– Print shelf listPrint shelf list– Manual shelf reviewManual shelf review– Classification of current resources – Classification of current resources –
Usefulness Rating ScaleUsefulness Rating Scale Research and classify possible Research and classify possible
additionsadditions– TitlewaveTitlewave– Amazon.comAmazon.com
Problems Problems EncounteredEncountered
Problems Problems EncounteredEncountered
+ =
Current Collection:Current Collection:
United States ProjectUnited States Project–363 possible resources363 possible resources
182 N/A182 N/A123 rated 0; 27 rated 4123 rated 0; 27 rated 4
–.91 usefulness rating.91 usefulness rating
Action TakenAction Taken
124 resources weeded124 resources weeded 52 resources purchased for 52 resources purchased for
$985.40 (109 total resources)$985.40 (109 total resources) Average usefulness rating Average usefulness rating
increased to from .91 to 3.41increased to from .91 to 3.41
Current Collection:Current Collection:
Ancient Civilizations Ancient Civilizations ProjectProject–55 possible resources55 possible resources
40 N/A40 N/A1 rated 41 rated 4
–1.73 usefulness rating1.73 usefulness rating
Action TakenAction Taken
17 resources purchased for 17 resources purchased for $339.38 (32 total resources)$339.38 (32 total resources)
Average usefulness rating Average usefulness rating increased from 1.73 to 2.72increased from 1.73 to 2.72
Current Collection:Current Collection:
Famous African Famous African AmericansAmericans–86 possible resources86 possible resources
2 rated 0; 4 rated 42 rated 0; 4 rated 4
–2.05 usefulness rating2.05 usefulness rating
Action TakenAction Taken
21 resources weeded21 resources weeded 30 resources purchased for 30 resources purchased for
$524.55 (95 total resources)$524.55 (95 total resources) Average usefulness rating Average usefulness rating
increased from 2.05 to 2.77increased from 2.05 to 2.77
Current Collection:Current Collection:
Planets ProjectPlanets Project–75 possible resources75 possible resources
37 N/A37 N/A3 rated 0; 8 rated 43 rated 0; 8 rated 4
–2.29 usefulness rating2.29 usefulness rating
Action TakenAction Taken
8 resources weeded8 resources weeded 32 resources purchased for 32 resources purchased for
$527.26 (62 total resources)$527.26 (62 total resources) Average usefulness rating Average usefulness rating
increased from 2.29 to 3.16increased from 2.29 to 3.16
Current Collection:Current Collection:
Native Americans Native Americans ProjectProject–40 possible resources40 possible resources
32 N/A32 N/A1 rated 41 rated 4
–2.75 usefulness rating2.75 usefulness rating
Action TakenAction Taken
15 resources purchased for 15 resources purchased for $496.07 (23 total resources)$496.07 (23 total resources)
Average usefulness rating Average usefulness rating increased from 2.75 to 3.17increased from 2.75 to 3.17
Final ResultsFinal Results
153 books weeded153 books weeded 146 books purchased for 146 books purchased for
$2872.66$2872.66 Usefulness rating of all areas Usefulness rating of all areas
increasedincreased Number of useful books Number of useful books
increased in all areas but oneincreased in all areas but one
In the future:In the future:
Grant ApplicationGrant Application