A STATISTICAL LOOK AT ICHS MEDIA CENTER

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A STATISTICAL LOOK ATICHS MEDIA CENTER

• Mrs. Janis Youngblood
• June 2003

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Circulation 1997-2003
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Observations.

• More books were checked out in 2000-2001.
• However, more books were renewed last year.
• This year,with the addition of a new circulation
  category Used in-library available on our
  library software, our usage went up drastically.

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Observations continued

• With 2000 High Tech High School Grant monies, the
  library was able to purchase more SRC books and
  quizzes. Thus, our circulation and renewal
  numbers show an increase because English teachers
  and library staff encouraged students to take
  advantage of gaining extra credit by reading a
  specific book and passing a quiz.

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Class Use of Library
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Observations.

• With the exception of 2001-2002, the number of
  classes using the Library Media Center has
  continually increased.
• This year, the number of classes using the
  facility has increased due to the American Sign
  Language class which meets daily at the back of
  the library.

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Observations continued

• Over the four-year period, more classes are using
  the library. Some are coming in strictly for
  computer availability and specific software
  applications and not for research. However, by
  increased class use, more students are becoming
  familiar with the library setting.

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Observations continued

• Teachers have been very cooperative in splitting
  up the 85 minute block. For example, a group
  could be using the Library Lab in the front while
  students may be receiving library instruction in
  the back. After 30-40 minutes of instruction,
  the class at the back moves to the front lab,
  while those students go back to their classroom
  for another activity. Block scheduling involves
  planning a series of activities by teachers.
  Library use can definitely fit into that plan.

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Student Use Other than Classes
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Observations.

• B/D/A before, during lunch or resource, or
  after school.
• This statistic has decreased perhaps due to the
  fact that many more teachers have computers
  and/or pods of computers in their rooms
  consequently students have greater opportunities
  for on-line access.
• The pass statistic is an approximation because
  some students take their pass with them before we
  record the statistic. We try to record walk-in
  students as they arrive, but on busy days this
  goal becomes impossible.

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Observations continued

• The number of students taking tests in the
  library is on the rise this year. Test taking is
  a challenge for library staff because many
  students arrive when we are busy and frequently
  sit together before we realize their purpose for
  being there. This last semester several seniors
  took their final exams in the library.

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Observations continued

• With pods of computers housed in individual
  classrooms, students are able to do Internet
  research from those classrooms without coming
  into the library setting. We have tried to
  accommodate this trend by providing a cart of
  books to those rooms with titles pertinent to the
  assignment.

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Observations on Passes

• Students coming to the LMC using a pass may
  frequently use laptop computers as well as other
  materials while other classes are using the
  library for instruction. This allows us to
  better meet the needs of our students.

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Librarian/Teacher Collaboration 1999-2003
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Observations.

• Collaboration is increasing due to teaming with
  Success Skills teachers.
• The English Department promotes Scholastic
  Reading Counts consequently more students are
  coming in for book talks.
• More teachers are teaming with the librarian for
  research assignments.

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Observations continue.

• With the addition of the interactive/distance
  learning system, increased collaboration has
  occurred.
• Collaborative assignments carry over into
  students coming to LMC on passes outside of a
  specific class where the librarian continues to
  give instruction.

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Equipment Usage
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Observations.

• In 2001-2002, the additions of a laptop cart of
  sixteen laptops and two multimedia projectors
  with individual laptops significantly enhanced
  teaching methods and project delivery.
• This year another laptop cart of 16 was added
  which helped to add even more flexibility to our
  services.
• Students may now use our Library Lab, while a
  class meets in the back for instruction with a
  laptop and a multimedia projector, and walk-in
  students may be accommodated with available
  laptops.

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Observations continued

• Even with nearly three labs available,
  scheduling the computer time individual teachers
  need can be a challenge. The laptop carts have
  taken the pressure off the labs and have allowed
  the teachers to be more creative in their use of
  technology.

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Contemplations
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Thoughts

• Monitoring students on passes and test takers
  continue to keep librarians on the alert. Study
  Hall teachers need to be vigilant about not
  sending students to the library from Study Hall
  without a pass for an assigning teacher. Perhaps
  test-takers could wait at the Circulation Desk
  until a librarian is available to seat them.

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Additional Thoughts

• Additional thought needs to be given to the final
  schedule and the number of seniors taking
  mixed-grade classes. As seniors take finals
  before underclassmen, the library is the best
  place for these exams to be taken. More
  conversation needs to occur between teachers and
  the library staff so that the library is alert to
  the type of exam and the expectations of the
  teacher involved.

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Additional Thoughts

• More time needs to be devoted to promoting
  teaming and collaboration for projects in the
  library. Due to larger class sizes, many
  teachers are reluctant to bring classes to a
  less-controlled setting. Perhaps more team
  teaching would help facilitate the teacher.

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Thoughts Continued

• This year, 10th grade students were introduced to
  a lesson on a critical look at the Internet.
  This is a unit that MUST be continued as we have
  students who sincerely believe that everything
  discovered on the net is authentic and reliable
  information.
• More teachers need to encourage their students to
  use a combination of print materials and Internet
  resources.

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JCPL Involvement

• We continue to circulate books from Johnson
  County Public Library.
• The Trafalgar Branch makes a trip over to us
  frequently.
• JCPL promptly fills our requests for additional
  books for class assignments or for individual
  student/staff needs.
• If possible, statistics need to be keep on JCPL
  support to our library, students and staff.

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Lost Materials
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Future Considerations

• With more activities centered in the library,
  materials have a greater chance of walking away.
  These statistics represent items that are lost
  and not checked out, for the most part.
• Security systems for all three doors could cost
  in the vicinity of 23,000.00. This quote does
  not include the Radio Frequency Identification
  tags that are placed in each book. Currently, we
  have over 13,000 books in our library.

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• The cost of such a system is probably prohibitive
  now, but might be a consideration for CPF monies
  in the future.

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2002-2003 Completed Another Year to Plan.