a school library collection analysis focused on resources available for fifth grade research topics

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 Outdated school libraries: Brown, M. D. (2000). Outdated school libraries: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