LIBRARY –UP DATE
Library Committee
March 11th 2014
LAMB LIBRARY CURRENT CAPACITY
3 libraries: 2 at Missouri (basement and Upper level hallway) 1 at SD (A small room assigned as library)
Formal weekly library program (read aloud and book loan) for primary classrooms in both campuses
Elementary students can check out books for casual reading
Run completely by parent volunteers
GOAL 1 –LIBRARY AUTOMATION
Our libraries (in both locations) are arranged by categories but have no electronic inventories. Also, due to its small size only the broadest of LOC subject headings are used for categories. Library automation would:
1. Provide better inventory and control of the book collection
2. Allow us to see what books are in the library, the # of copies and at which campus
3. Create more efficient check-in/check-out process: will replace index cards as each student will have a LAMB library card that will be scanned at check-in/out
LAMB LIBRARY CATEGORIES ARE:
Picture books
Fine Arts (sub-categories: Music, Drama, and Visual Arts);
Science (7 sub-categories for Elementary: Weather, Human Body, Outer Space, Animals, Ocean Life, Dinosaurs, Environment/Earth Science)
Poetry
Story Collections
Biography (Elementary)
History (Elementary)
Folk Tales
Culture
Basic Concepts (Primary)
Spanish books have orange stickers
GOAL 2—BOOK ACQUISITION
Our book collection does not currently reflect LAMB’s goal for bilingual literacy. We have a much smaller collection of books in Spanish compared to books in English. By looking at our inventory and identifying our greatest needs, we can develop a book acquisition plan that would:
1. Better support bilingual literacy
2. Enhance our current library and create a process for integrating new books that spark student interest
GOAL 3—HIRE A P/T LIBRARIAN
Our libraries are currently run by several parent volunteers with limited central oversight or management. Having a librarian would allow us to:
1. Have one person charged with overseeing and maintaining the library system
2. Designate a point person to manage a library budget and create acquisition plans to continuously improve the libraries
DESCRIPTION OF WHERE WE ARE
We have purchased Alexandria library software to catalog and organize our books
Training on the library software was conducted and included parents from both campuses
We visited the Oyster library and met with the librarian who explained her system and shared lessons learned from a bilingual education perspective
Cristina has started a book wish list
Job description for a P/T Librarian was drafted
Book fairs are being planned to help support our library
NEXT STEPS FOR GOAL 1
Goal 1-Library Automation
We need to scan and create labels for our current books
Oyster librarian recommended we get the book LOC Subject Headings for Children which has been ordered to help refine our categorization system
We need to re-shelf libraries based on a new organization following the recommendations of Oyster librarian and reflecting a more refined system
NEXT STEPS FOR GOALS 2 & 3
Goal 2-Book Acquisition
Set goals for the number of books we need to have in English and Spanish comprehensive collection
Develop a list of books we want to purchase
Develop a budget for books in English and Spanish
Goal 3-Hire a P/T Librarian
Develop a budget for a P/T Librarian
Complete job description
Recruit good candidates
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?1. Sign-up to help with library time for Primary students to read and help
students check-in/out books (both campuses use sign-up genius)
2. Donations of new or gently used books in Spanish and English are always welcome and can be dropped off at the front desk of either campus. We "Donated by..." labels that are put in the books.
3. Scan books
4. Reshelf and weed books
5. Manage library wish list or provide your suggestions
6. Support book fairs/events Politics and Prose book fair, September 20 Chair: Kerri Poore Bookworm Central book fair, Late Nov./early Dec. (date TBD, in coordination with
Oyster Book Fair and LAMB PTO) Literacy Night (TBD)
Q and A