December 1, 2010

Have you had a chance to get a Titlewave account set up?  What features did you especially like that were pointed out during the Follett presentation?  Do you think this tool will help you in your work as a library media specialist?  How, specifically?

• The former librarian walked me through the basics of ordering on Titlewave this past summer.  I knew that it could do way more than I was aware of, but after listening to the Follett presentation, I was amazed.  I really like the reports that could be run.  I went to school on Thursday and looked at the old analysis reports that were done on the collection. I tried to run an analysis of the collection.  I think I did it correctly.  I am very fortunate that the average age of the collection is 1999 and the average amount of books per student is 22.    This tool will help guide my decisions about what to order.  I can run reports and take them to common planning meetings and talk to the teachers about what the library has to offer them and what we still need to work on to supplement their curricular needs.  Titlewave will also make weeding and replacing books an easier process.  After looking at the collection analysis report I can see that I am in pretty good shape in this area.  There doesn't seem to be a lot in any one area that needs to be weeded.

     -  What questions or comments do you have about the Follett presentation or Titlewave as you start to explore it on your own?  The presenters didn't talk a great deal about what's called "full processing".  Do you know what that includes?  (If you don't, don't worry, we'll talk about it in class.)  If you are familiar with this, what is it?  Would you spend your library money on it?  Why?

• I always order full processing.  It saves a lot of time.  I have had to process a book here and there, and it does take time.  When they come with the barcode, the spine label, and covering it is really nice.  I also love that I can download the Marc records into my system from Follett and be done with it.  No messing with computer entries.  I can't imagine how long it would take to process the order of 200 books that I got in last week.   All I had to do was stamp them and download the Marc records and they were ready to go.  Full processing really does allow you to spend your time on other library issues.

     -  How is your Library Web Page progressing?  Any concerns, comments or tips that you have this week?

• With Dan's help I muddled my way through GoogleSites.  But, I think I have determined that I like the ease of SchoolWorld much better.  Now that I have made the decision to stick with SchoolWorld things should go more smoothly.  I am glad that I took a look at GoogleSites and I am still thinking of showing it to the kids when they come to the library as something they could try.

     -  Does your district have a Selection Policy for library materials?  How would you rate it?  Why?

• Yes, my district has a selection policy for library materials.  I would rate it very high.  It is very detailed.  It has a well thought out philosophy that is linked to the ALA and DPI.  Its objectives and criteria for selection are very complete and cover a great many situations.  Overall, it is just a very complete plan in comparison to others that I have looked at. 

     -  Any questions or concerns that you've run into as you start to think about your Needs-Based Three-Year Improvement Plan?

• I am still trying to figure out where to start.  I know that once I do my surveying it might clear things up.  But, with Christmas vacation coming up, I know that I will have to get those done very soon.  I know that I would like to start a section with books written in foreign languages.  The population of ELL students continues to grow at my school.  We don't have very many books in our library that meet the needs of the ELL students.  I am not sure how to write that into the plan because it doesn't necessarily connect to the curriculum.

     -  Please describe 3 things that you found out about at the Milwaukee Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 4.

• It has been ages since I have been at the MPL.  The children's department has definitely changed and expanded since the last time I was there.  I learned that the MPL children's department really tries to get involved in the community.  They work with consultants and day care providers to improve the collections day care providers have, which will hopefully increase literacy.  I learned that they conduct several weekly programs for kids that are aimed at increasing literacy and community involvement.  The one area in the library that disappointed me was the teen section.  MPL has not invested as much time or money in this section.  It was uninviting, unlike the children's section. 

     -  Discuss 2 features of the Stritch Library that you really liked on your December 4th visit.

• The Stritch library definitely changed since I worked there in college.  I like the computer lab they have upstairs.   It makes it very convenient to do research in the library and write papers at the same time.  The collection of children's books was extensive.  The librarian that we talked to (Laurie) was very helpful and encouraged us to call when we needed help.  She also showed us NoodleBib.  A nice site to help you cite sources.  Where was that in my undergrad years?  I also like the interlibrary loan setup and the fact they will ship to you.   It seems that the Stritch library is very user friendly.