Library Report: Spring 2012

CLASSROOM TRANSFORMATION

The BVSW Library went through some changes in our teaching space. A 70" interactive television screen with SmartBoard software was installed to help resolve viewing issues for students. Presentations were powered through a laptop and can also be done with the library iPads. A mural of the library logo was painted by library para Lisa Miller, and signage was hung. 

MAKING CONNECTIONS

One goal for the spring was to increase global connections for our students. Skype sessions were set up for classrooms in the social studies, Avid, and special education disciplines. Students read and shared materials with Kansas elementary students. Maryrose Wood, young adult author, met virtually with the Library Breakfast Club to discuss her work and give writing advice to students. 

LIBRARY LAYOUT & ACCESS

With the change in our teaching space, we took the opportunity to rearrange the library slightly to create 3 distinct teaching spaces. In doing so we also incorporated a circulation station to ease student access to search for titles. Student response was very positive. We created a teacher station for teachers whose classes were in the library. Signage was added to the fiction and non-fiction section, as well as the genre areas.

This spring we continued to focus on the following goals:

• Research skills and finding valid resources.
• Note taking, paraphrasing, quoting and summarizing information.
• Citing information correctly.

Teachers from various disciplines collaborated with us. We had an increase in visits from science (200%) and foreign language (500%). 

Featured LibGuides/Units

• Pecha Kucha Presentations Students investigated the Japanese presentation form of Pecha Kucha for their final AP English assignment.
• Chemistry Research Project Students identified scientific questions they were interested in, researched them in academic journals, designed and completed an experiment on one of the major chemistry units.
• Shakespeare Research Freshman CA classes visited us to research the time period and culture surrounding Shakespeare’s life.
• Country Research Asia Studies joined us with a culminating project researching one of the countries they studied that year.

This Year...

729 Classes collaborated with the library

116 Students used the library outside of class each day

20,082 Students used the library before and after school, during Hubs and Late Start, or on a pass during the school day in 2011-12

2,005 Books were added to the collection

6,217 Library materials were circulated

 Summary of Database Usage: 

Database statistics are analyzed by two different categories: Sessions and Searches. A session occurs when a user logs in to the site and begins searching. They may have multiple searches per session. Searches occur when users are logged in and type search terms in to the search box.

*Gale Databases include: Gale Virtual Reference Library, Global Issues, Opposing Viewpoints, & Literature Criticism Online

Summer Projects:

• Romeo and Juliet Set Design Research
• Award Winner/Self Selection Reading
• Marketing Plan
• iPad App Integration
• Book Report Alternatives

Common Core:

We are preparing for the unpacking of the Common Core Standards. To support our staff through this transition we have produced the Common Core LibGuide. 

2012-2013 Marketing Plan:

View our plan for the upcoming year here: Marketing Plan

Goals:

• Increase staff development opportunities.
• Improve the marketing of the library collection.
• Provide students opportunities to connect with global classrooms.