Oct 13 2006
Collection Assessment and Manangement for School Libraries
Kachel, Debra E. Collection Assessment and Managment for School Libraries. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1997.
I borrowed this book through interlibrary loan and found many familiar forms that I used when I first started teaching. I student taught under Deb at Ephrata in 1992. Many of the forms we used while I did my field experience there I took with me to my first (unautomated) school, including forms to document ILL and magazine circulation. It was somewhat strange to read the book as I could hear Deb’s voice as I was reading.
As I skimmed the book last night, I found a great suggestion to examine the collections of the other schools in my district. I am certain that my collection falls far behind the other two middle schools and being able to visually demonstrate that to the principal and other administrators. Today I sent them an email asking them to send me their MARC export so that I can use Follett’s collection analysis tool to get my initial reports. I included directions on how to do an export to make things as easy as possible for them. Wanda has already agreed to send me her export file today, so hopefully Suzanne will as well and I’ll be underway!
I’ve also ordered another book to help me with forms and letters for teachers and gotten some good ideas from Deb’s book on assigning need levels to different courses to prioritize where spending should be focused as you work to improve the collection and meet the needs of your users.
