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How
did we prove the need for funding?
Step I Clearly identify the problem and the impact
on student achievement. Identify the resources (material and
human) which can assist with resolving the problem.
Step II Do the "homework" and organize
your information for easy access. Gather statistics such as funding
history, collection data, price indices; convert the data into
graphic representations for readability an impact; research school
library standards; read the research regarding the impact school
libraries has on student achievement; promote the library instructional
program; identify and involve the stake holders in the solution;
develop a public information plan; "visualize" the
end result; develop strategies to get there. and stand ready
to answer all questions with "the facts."
Step III Conduct an extensive collection analysis
to prove the need for funding . See
above. Utilize the power of library automated catalogs and
circulation systems to generate collection statistics to illustrate
the need to upgrade library resources. Manipulate the data in
various ways to reveal not only the "size" of
the collection but also the "quality" of the
collection. Quality was determined by examining the copyright
sensitive areas such as astronomy, geography and travel,
politics, economics, health sciences, technology, world cultures,
government, communication, transportation, engineering and allied
operations, commerce, paleontology, social services, education,
medical sciences, earth sciences, etc. Take from the shelves
a few poignant examples of outdated information to have readily
available to show the stake holders. Don't forget to do a physical
examination of books in the history section...perspectives do
change! Sharing the "shelf of shame" proved to be a
most effective strategy...the physical evidence allows persons
to "dig deeper" into the collection analysis. Note:
In the early 90's BCPS libraries did an extensive weeding in
preparation for retrospective conversion of library inventories
to the automated catalog system; however, not all items were
removed because there would be very little on the shelves...the
best of the worst was left. Keep in mind that shelves full of
outdated books is dangerous because it fosters complacency. As
long as the stake holders see books on the library shelves, it
is easy to ignore the fact that many of those books may be worthless,
misinformation resources. There in lies the essential and powerful
strategy to conduct an extensive collection analysis to uncover
the truth about the quality of the collection.
Step IV Compare the collection analysis data
for each school with library state collection standards. See Maryland Standards. Represent the
data in graphic form..a picture is worth a thousand words! Take
another view...what would the collection size be if all worthless
books were removed? How would the library collection measure
up to the state standard for size and IPP? Do the math. Take
the "reduced inventory" (items that are still good
information resources) and subtract from the standard for collection
size and IPP. The answer is the number of items needed to purchase
to meet state standards.
The next math function will be the most shocking....multiply
the items needed by the average cost of a book. NOTE: The average
discounted purchase price of a book for secondary schools is
$25.00; however, this excludes reference books which range from
$49.60 - $150.00 per title. For a more detailed listing of library
materials costs, see 1998 average prices
obtained from the Bowker Annual: Library and Trade Book Almanac,
44th ed. c1999 and information from a book jobber. Not done yet
with the math...add all figures for each of the schools in the
district to find out the total amount needed to upgrade library
collections in the school system. That is how we arrived at the
$10.529 million which was proved, requested, and funded. This
amount will upgrade library collections to 80% of the state standard
for collection size. The remaining 20% needed to reach the state
standard will be funded beginning this year by the local school.
How is the
10.529 million funding allocated to the schools?
The Baltimore County Council
auditors did their homework, also. Using the collection analysis
data the Office of Library Information Services provided, the
auditors determined the exact amount each school will receive
for the 2000-01 school year. The allotments for middle schools
range from $130,000 - $238.000; allotments for high schools range
from $146,000 - $326,000. The Office of Library Information Services
is responsible for dispersing and maintaining a funding accountability
system.
What happens
after the 2000-01 funding period?
A minimum annual per pupil
amount for library materials will established based on current
average book cost indices The MSDE 1996-1998 per pupil expenditure
for library materials is reported in the annual publication,
Facts about Maryland School Libraries. Call
410 767-0451 for this information.
How will quality collections be developed?
Use technology to work smart
and think out of the box! List all the tasks that need to be
done, apply knowledge of selection and collection development
(remember the courses in grad school?), and identify the resources
(information and human) that can assist with the process.
The magnitude of rebuilding
library collections is daunting. It must be done effectively,
efficiently and accountability. These are the operative
words that demanded a technological solution and a partnership
with a major book jobber.
Effective in order to develop quality collections
to support the curriculum and interests and ability level of
the students.
Efficient in order for the ordering process
to be completed by library media specialists in a seven-month
time frame.
Accountable in order to demonstrate that funding
is spent responsibly, equitably, and for its intended purpose.
The Office of Library Services
developed Project Specifications of which a technological solution
was a key requirement. Two book jobbers responded to the Project
Specifications. Presentations by both were made to a committee
comprising members of the purchasing, accounting, and library
departments. Follett Library Resources was selected by the committee
because it could meet ALL of our Project Specifications.
What are
the Project Specifications and how will Follett Library Resources
work with the Office of Library Information Services to address
them?
Spec I: May 2000 Baseline
Collection Analysis
School library inventories (MARC records) were exported from
the automated catalog and given to Follett to use to generate
a baseline snapshot of the collection (the collection analysis
done by the Office of Library Information Services was conducted
in Dec. 1999). It is essential that we have a baseline snapshot
of the collections BEFORE the project begin date (August 30,
2000) so that we can evaluate the results of the initiative.
Copies of these reports will be given to library media specialists
on the August 30, 2000 Professional Study Day Meeting. A master
file copy will remain with the Office of Library Information
Services.
Spec II: June 2001 Final
Collection Analysis
Will be used by the Office of Library Information Services and
the Office of Research and Data Analysis to measure the collection
growth. and along with other school system data, the impact that
library media centers have on student achievement.
Spec III:
Online ordering with Password Protection
Since
Follett already had an online ordering system in place (Titlewave
at www.titlewave.com), it was compelling that we use it for our
purposes. This is a definite time-saver for library media specialists..no
typing, photocopying of 5 sets of orders, The online ordering
information must include reading level, title, author, ISBN number,
cost, check box to select, and arranged by Dewey classification.
Spec IV: Specialized Online
Selection Catalogs (5)
The Office of Library Information Services will work closely
with Follett to develop catalogs of quality books for library
media specialists to make selections. Follett will remove from
the catalogs current school library inventories for each school
before posting them online. As library media specialists order
from each of the catalogs and inventories change, Follett will
remove the duplicates from the next catalog in the ordering cycle.
The catalogs are as follows:
(1) Core Collection Catalog
H.W. Wilson's authoritative core selection references used are
Senior High School Catalog, and the Junior and Middle School
Catalog. Phase I Ordering Phase I Cycle: 8/30 - 10/15, 2000
(2) Curriculum Map Catalog
Keywords and descriptors specific to the BCPS Essential Curriculum
indicators were cooperatively generated by all curricular offices
and library media specialists. This information was given to
Follett in order for their collection development department
to search their database of all available publications in order
to produce a catalog specific to BCPS curriculum.
Phase
II Ordering Cycle: 10/15 -1 1/15, 2000)
(3) Consideration File Catalog
School library media specialists will provide Follett with their
local school "wish list" of books recommended by the
educational community, books needed to support unique instructional
programs, initiatives, and special populations, and recommended
books in current review journals.
Phase
IV Ordering Cycle: 11/30 - 3/1/2001 Note: If you have your wish list ready before 11/30, Follett will accept it immediately.
A school can send a wish list only once.
(4) Gale Reference Catalog
Gale Group worked with
Follett to put online their catalog of reference materials for
your ordering convenience and fund tracking process.
Phase
V Ordering Cycle: 11/15 12/20, 2001
(5) Grolier
Online Catalog
Grolier publications, not available through Follett Library Resources,
are now made available to BCPS librarians. This online ordering
site was developed by Grolier to address our project specification
for a "technology solution" to collection development
and online ordering. Use your ID and password to access the system.
(Note: For those outside of Baltimore County who wish to access
the online system, contact Della Curtis for a demo ID and
password.)
Phase V Ordering Cycle: 11/1 - 12/20, 2000.
(6) Award Winning Books
Catalog
Phase III
Ordering Cycle: 3/1 - 3/15, 2001
(7) Spring Books Catalog
Newly published books as of March 2001.
Phase
VI Ordering Cycle: 3/15 - 3/30, 2001
(8) World
Book Online Catalog
World Book publications,
not available through Follett Library Resources, are now made
available via World Book's new online catalog developed specifically
for the Baltimore County library upgrade project. We are extremely
pleased that World Book answered our request to streamline collection
development and fund tracking using online technology. Use your
ID and password to access the system. (Note: For those outside
of Baltimore County who wish to access the online system, contact
Della
Curtis
for a demo ID and password.)
Phase
VI Ordering Cycle: 3/15 - 4/30, 2001
(9) Professional
Collection Catalog
Due
to many requests from library media specialists to develop the
Professional Collections in school libraries, a special catalog
is now available on the Titlewave website.
Phase VI Ordering Cycle: 3/15 - 4/30, 2001
Spec V: Online Fund Tracking
Since the stake holders were involved in helping to obtain the
10.529 million, it is important to keep everyone informed to
the completion of the project. Therefore, Follett will include
in the online ordering system a fund tracking component. This
component will be made available to schools and stake holders
in order to monitor each school's legislative district, order
status, number of items delivered, amount encumbered, actual
dollar spent, and a running balance of the school's allotment.
Spec VI: Cataloging and
Processing
Follett will use the catalog and processing specifications on
file at Follett Library Resources to catalog and process all
book orders. Books will arrive at the school "shelf ready"
and be immediately available to students and teachers. MARC records
to be uploaded in the school's automated catalog will be made
available via the Internet and/or on disk.
Spec VII: Shipment of Materials
All orders will be filled by Follett within 30 days of receipt
of the school's order. All shipping costs are the responsibility
of Follett.
How will
librarians order materials not included in the Follett Online
Acquisitions system?
- Select books according to
the Selection Policies established by BCPS. Items must have professional
reviews in standard reviewing sources, e.g., School Library Journal,
Booklist, Library Journal, etc. Items listed in publisher's catalogs
are not considered a reviewed resource.
- Send Purchase Requisitions
for materials not available through Follett to the Office of
Library Information Services for review and signature by Della
Curtis, the account manager. These materials include:
Marshall Cavendish- Follett
carries the trade line only, no reference is
available.
Salem Press - limited titles
(Call for availability.)
M.E. Sharpe - limited titles
(Call for availability)
- Grolier publications will
be available online for ordering by October 1, 2000. The online
catalog will include the same features as the Follett online
ordering system.
How are
library media specialists held accountable for library expenditures
and collection statistics?
Library media specialists are
required by the Maryland State Department of Education to submit
the Annual School Library Media Center Report. providing
information such as collection statistics, scope of information
services and materials, staffing statistics, budget data and
library technology inventories. The data is compiled by the Maryland
State Department of Education, Division of Library Development
and Services, School Library Media Services Branch and is published
in Facts About Maryland's School Library Media Programs.
Call 410 767-0451 for information.
How will
library media specialists integrate the use of new books with
the curriculum and motivate students to read?
Everyone will
be involved with the process from the beginning to the end. The
arrival of new books will be a time of celebration and excitement.
Library media specialists are experts in integrating the use
of information resources with the curriculum, providing reading
guidance, and motivating students to read. Now the students will
have books they want to read and the books will be sufficient
to support all instruction! Library media specialists are required
to develop reading promotional programs for students.  A website, The
Reading Page,
developed by Della Curtis, Coordinator of the Office of Library
Information Services during the 2000 Summer Curriculum Workshop,
provides excellent information about reading motivation, research,
instructional strategies, and MSDE reading indicators. The
website will be updated as the year unfolds to include information
about the successful reading promotional programs in each of
the schools.
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Study
Shows Rise in Test Scores 