Evaluating School Libraries Collections at the Site and District Level as a Tool for Advocacy

Christina Young

Takeda, J. (2019). Evaluating School Library Collections at the Site and District Level as a     Tool  for Advocacy. Knowledge Quest, 47(3), 14–21. Retrieved from     http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?   direct=true&db=lls&AN=133682940&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Summary - In this article three school librarians in the Beaverton, Oregon School District use data to affect “transformational change” in the way libraries are perceived and budgeted for in their district. They begin by creating a matrix to show how their work is aligned to district goals and national standards. Because in their district library budgets are determined at a building level by principals, they then presented collection and circulation data along with mission statements and their standards matrices with elementary principals. In framing their work with principals, they focused on three main themes: choice reading, diverse books, and access for all. They were encouraged by a menor to provide a twenty-seven word, nine second, three part message and presented:

Our libraries support student growth as learners. We encourage students to explore their own interests and provide access for all to carefully selected resources that are current and diverse. 

Because the district had recently invested in classroom libraries for language arts classrooms the librarians pointed out the differences between classroom libraries and school libraries and the importance of funding and maintaining the school library. The article goes into detail about the types of reports they used and provides templates for users of Follett’s Destiny.  In their final reports to the principals  the librarians advocated for budget recommendations across the district: $2,000 per elementary school library, $3,000 per middle school library, and $5,000 per high school. As of the writing of the article, the budgets had not been determined. 

Evaluation - As I am creating my vision of my future library in project four it is interesting to read about how librarians in another district  are using data similar to the data I collected for projects three and four and presenting it to their districts to advocate for funds. One important take-away was how they framed library books as “consumables” in their presentation to principals. Library books are not meant to last forever and need money to be replaced. Other interesting take away was about how to introduce teachers and parents to diverse books as “mirrors and windows”.  A final take-away was report templates they provided in the additional resources section of the article. Finally, one sad reality check: their district serves 41,000 students in 53 schools. All of the elementary and middle schools are served by paraprofessionals. High Schools are served by paraprofessionals and a library and instructional technology teacher (LITT), although it was unclear if the LITTs were one per school or three for the entire district. 

Collection Development & Budgeting

Rebecca Perkins

Martin, M. (1995). Collection development and finance: A guide to strategic library-materials budgeting. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Summary: According to Amazon, “This text covers topics such as how collection budgets are planned, built and defended, and implemented, in straightforward language.” It provides a number of budget samples and includes a chapter on access verses ownership and the budget implications of digital materials. It also covers setting up an annual budget and making adjustments to it as needed. The focus is on academic and public libraries but could be used for other types as well.

Evaluation: Although this book is a decade old, the general principles remain relevant and the budget samples provide a good starting point for those new to managing a collection development budget. The area of most interest for public library staff handling collection development is the base budget example for a public library (pg. 9) which breaks down a $250,000 total budget allocation for each material audience type: adult, young adult, and children and further within each by fiction, nonfiction, and audiovisual subsections. Of specific relevance in this sample is the percentage of the total budget listed for each of these break downs. However, the cost of materials has changed drastically since the book was written and specific price breakdowns should factor that in. Additionally, modern breakdowns would further define digital media rather than lump it all into audiovisual. Another aspect of the book that shows its age is a statement saying, “Public libraries, other than the central libraries in large systems, seldom invest a large portion of their budget in serials” (pg. 46). With the availability of digital newsstand and serials services like Zinio, this may no longer be the case. Despite its age, overall this is a really good resource for creating strategic materials budgeting.

Collection Development and Management: An Overview of the Literature, 2011-12.

Bailey, Rachel

Lehman, K.A. (2014). Collection development and management: An overview of the literature, 2011-12. LRTS, 58(3), 169-177.

Summary: This article explores collection development literature from 2011-2012. Much of the literature discussed limited budgets as well as space saving issues. Also addressed were e-books as well as open access availability, demand driven acquisitions, print on demand and weeding.

Evaluation: This article reminded me that collection development is a big topic and there are a lot of subjects under this heading. After reading the overview of the literature, I was particularly intrigued by the process of demand driven acquisitions. There’s no better way to find out what patrons want than going straight to the source. This should be done in addition to the other methods that are already in place.