Stephenville High School Library Librarian: Rachel Kammerer Computer Lab aide: Kendal Bracy SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS Created the Kindness Matters wall in library to coincide with district library initiative of Jacqueline Woodson s Kindness Matters book Weeded the 500s section (books, reference and videos) Continued E-book integration to the library collection Promotion of e-book access at Open House and throughout the school year Attended Texas Library Association (TLA) conference and returned with many new books and ideas for the library Weeded AV materials (VHS tapes) from 500s, 800s and Fiction Staff development in using databases efficiently Created a variety of displays throughout the school year (see library webpage for pictures) Updated and enhanced library website on a regular basis Updated and enhanced my book blog on a regular basis (ReadingJourneys.blogspot.com) Maintained an SHS student spotlight display using newspaper clippings Encouraged the voting for SHS students in various contests Cleaned up Alexandria data records (deleted vendors, teachers no longer employed with SISD, updated books with no copyright date, copy location) Created makerspaces for teens Sent out notices that included a picture of the book cover to parents at each semester to try and reclaim lost books. In December, two books returned. In May, I sent notices home for 48 items. Of these, 19 books returned ($335.74) and two were paid for ($34.46). Used Library TV more efficiently for book trailers, announcements, student produced videos, to promote programs (i.e., Robotics competition) Was interviewed for the Impero commercial Encouraged a campus wide literacy campaign by making Mr./Mrs. X is Reading signs for all adults Created story time/activities for the Life Skills class to attend regularly Held a Name the Zombie contest during October Encouraged students to read with turkey display, 2015 Reading Challenge
GENERAL LIBRARY DUTIES Book/materials/supplies/equipment o budgeting o researching o ordering o processing (labels, covers, MARC records) o inventory o circulation o maintenance o repair o weeding (damaged, worn, outdated, format) Collection analysis Collaborating with teachers and students Learning the current resources our library provides Teaching staff and students about library resources Helping staff and students find resources Teach information/media/technological literacy Teach documentation of sources Reading books in the collection Writing book reviews Created a variety of displays throughout the school year (see library webpage for pictures) ID machine Scheduling of library and labs Shelving materials General library maintenance & cleaning Laminating Website maintenance Overseeing student workers Sending the elevator up and down Collect monthly statistics and create report Daily mail (magazines, solicitations, other correspondence) Meet standards for library programs
CIRCULATION AND USE STATISTICS Patrons in database: 1770 Number of items (books, equipment, and A/V) in library (per Super Summary report):16846 (increase of 665 over last year) Average age of collection: 1995 Items per student: 16.53 Total replacement cost for all titles (per item analysis report) is $413,973.06 (This number is based on amount entered in Alexandria. This may not be 100% accurate.) Total number of checked out items for school year 2013-14: 10318 (increase of 165 over last year) Total number of ebooks checked out District wide 1690 (increase of 369 over last year) high school 140 (increase of 44 over last year) Total lost items: 72 Total replacement cost $ 1415.47 Total collected from patrons $ 325.57 Total discarded items: 420 Total cost of items printed $9781.38 CLASSROOM USE OF LIBRARY FACILITIES There were 12,232 students that signed in (not with a class) and 30,450 students (with classes) through the library doors using the computers and/or checking out books. I collaborated with teachers on some of these lessons: Using databases/web literacy Book talks Freshmen orientation Research projects The 204 lab was regularly utilized. The total usage of this lab was 19, 275 students for the year. The 206 lab had 21950 students using this space, including 5 class periods of regular use.
CLOSED DAYS PTO Thanksgiving luncheon (November 17, 2014) Testing March 18 (1/2 day), March 30 (TSI), April 1 (STAAR), May 5 (1/2 day), May 7 (1/2 day), May 18 (TSI), May 22 (TSI) Inventory (May 18-29) DATABASES This year, we subscribed to databases through the TexShare program. This saved substantial money and gave us access to Gale. Additionally, we maintained subscriptions to EBSCO, Maps 101, Teaching Books, Discovery Education, World and I School, and Country Reports. NEW PURCHASES/ACQUISITIONS This year most of the proprietary budget was spent on books, focusing on ordering non-fiction books for Pre-AP/AP English classes, student requests, and replacing books that have been damaged. Students made requests mostly for fiction and manga books. Teachers requested titles as well, both for curriculum support and recreational reading. TEACHERS AND THE LIBRARY Being part of the library is not an autonomous job. On any regular working day, the library assists students not only with books and technology, but also helping the campus run smoothly by creating IDs, color printing, laminating, managing Extended Day assignments, and calling Technology to reset passwords or help troubleshoot other computer issues. I hosted hot chocolate & s mores days in the library to build relationships with the staff. All of the district librarians met monthly to discuss issues and practices related to our libraries, Alexandria and Overdrive. We also discussed new initiatives we d like to explore and used the time to share what we learned at various workshops, conferences, webinars, etc. with each other. These meetings were a useful time for collaboration. I proofread various documents for staff members during the year. I often pull books for teachers to facilitate efficiency in the library as well as identify gaps in the collection. When I get a new book that I think a particular teacher can use in his/her curriculum, I promote it to the teacher.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATES This year the wireless scanner had to be replaced (with a rebuilt one from Companion Corp). My external hard drive crashed, so I had to recreate numerous files. Other files are just lost data. My desktop librarian computer had to be replaced (CPU only). The library & all lab computers were checked for working CD ROM/DVD drives. Additionally, the library computers required more memory for students. The Technology Department worked on clearing out the hard drives and adding the needed space. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES I presented a book review to Delta Kappa Gamma as a fundraiser for their organization. The book I reviewed was Kay Bailey Hutchison s Unflinching Courage. I served on the selection committee for the Robert J. Elliott Memorial Award at Tarleton. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES In the spring, I attended Texas Library Association Conference held in Austin. I was able to hear and meet authors discuss their books. I had many titles autographed. I visited with current and potential vendors regarding their products and our needs. I participated in sessions for librarianship, including getting ideas for makerspaces for next year. Additionally, I was able to bring four teens and an adult chaperones to the conference for TT4L Day. It was a great experience for them and me. Not only did the teens meet and visit authors, collect free books and visit the exhibition hall, they got to see what a professional conference looks like. Continued goals & FUTURE GOALS Serve on the campus site based team Collaborate with more teachers on how the library can assist their teaching goals Create a teen library advisory board Create a monthly student-led book club Attend Library Harvest & TLA Weed 600s (books, reference and videos) Replace 600s with more current and relevant resources Consistant cataloging of cookbooks (i.e., Drummond books are in two spots) Consistant cataloging/call # with Chicken Soup for the books (move to SC) Rework Classic books to other genres and update covers through purchase of new books Rework AP section to have silver sticker Clean up records in Alexandria o change policies to reflect updated categories
o change medium types o maintain series o have consistent cataloging (fix errors) Reestablish READ posters around campus Create an updated selection development policy Become a YART (Young Adult Round Table) committee member, eventually serving on the Executive Board Go through poster drawer (filing cabinet) Create copyright lessons for teachers