A SCHOOL LIBRARY COLLECTION ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR FIFTH GRADE RESEARCH TOPICS

The problem: Will the current collection of the Lakehurst Elementary School library support the curriculum change toward research and research skills?

Research Questions

Sources of Information Brown, M. D. (2000). Outdated school libraries: What can you do to update yours? Education World. Brown, M. D. (2000). Outdated school libraries: What can you do to update yours? Education World. Burgin, R., & Bracy, P. B. (2003). An essential connection: How quality school library media programs improve student achievement in North Carolina. Burgin, R., & Bracy, P. B. (2003). An essential connection: How quality school library media programs improve student achievement in North Carolina. Rodney, M. J., Lance, K. C., & Hamilton-Pennel, C. (2002). Make the connection: Quality school library media programs impact academic achievement in Iowa. Rodney, M. J., Lance, K. C., & Hamilton-Pennel, C. (2002). Make the connection: Quality school library media programs impact academic achievement in Iowa.

Methodology First : First : Identify the useful library resources already in place to support these five projects. Identify the useful library resources already in place to support these five projects.

Methodology Second: Second: Determine whether additional resources were needed and, if so, what resources could best satisfy the needs of the fifth grade teachers and students. Determine whether additional resources were needed and, if so, what resources could best satisfy the needs of the fifth grade teachers and students.

Population & Context Fifth-grade students and teachers at Lakehurst Elementary School  K-8  475 students  82 staff members  Transitory military population (18%)

Data Collection Identify resources in current collection Identify resources in current collection –Print shelf list –Manual shelf review –Classification of current resources – Usefulness Rating Scale Research and classify possible additions Research and classify possible additions –Titlewave –Amazon.com

Problems Encountered

+=

Current Collection: United States Project United States Project –363 possible resources 182 N/A 182 N/A 123 rated 0; 27 rated rated 0; 27 rated 4 –.91 usefulness rating

Action Taken 124 resources weeded 124 resources weeded 52 resources purchased for $ (109 total resources) 52 resources purchased for $ (109 total resources) Average usefulness rating increased to from.91 to 3.41 Average usefulness rating increased to from.91 to 3.41

Current Collection: Ancient Civilizations Project Ancient Civilizations Project –55 possible resources 40 N/A 40 N/A 1 rated 4 1 rated 4 –1.73 usefulness rating

Action Taken 17 resources purchased for $ (32 total resources) 17 resources purchased for $ (32 total resources) Average usefulness rating increased from 1.73 to 2.72 Average usefulness rating increased from 1.73 to 2.72

Current Collection: Famous African Americans Famous African Americans –86 possible resources 2 rated 0; 4 rated 4 2 rated 0; 4 rated 4 –2.05 usefulness rating

Action Taken 21 resources weeded 21 resources weeded 30 resources purchased for $ (95 total resources) 30 resources purchased for $ (95 total resources) Average usefulness rating increased from 2.05 to 2.77 Average usefulness rating increased from 2.05 to 2.77

Current Collection: Planets Project Planets Project –75 possible resources 37 N/A 37 N/A 3 rated 0; 8 rated 4 3 rated 0; 8 rated 4 –2.29 usefulness rating

Action Taken 8 resources weeded 8 resources weeded 32 resources purchased for $ (62 total resources) 32 resources purchased for $ (62 total resources) Average usefulness rating increased from 2.29 to 3.16 Average usefulness rating increased from 2.29 to 3.16

Current Collection: Native Americans Project Native Americans Project –40 possible resources 32 N/A 32 N/A 1 rated 4 1 rated 4 –2.75 usefulness rating

Action Taken 15 resources purchased for $ (23 total resources) 15 resources purchased for $ (23 total resources) Average usefulness rating increased from 2.75 to 3.17 Average usefulness rating increased from 2.75 to 3.17

Final Results 153 books weeded 153 books weeded 146 books purchased for $ books purchased for $ Usefulness rating of all areas increased Usefulness rating of all areas increased Number of useful books increased in all areas but one Number of useful books increased in all areas but one

In the future:

Grant Application