End of Year Library Report
2008-2009
Lyman Library at South Hadley High School

Teaching and Learning

• 941 classes visited the library this year.
• Library users borrowed 2,145 materials.
• 1,092 fiction books were checked out.
• At least 100 students learned how to use the databases available online from the Boston Public Library.
• All 9th graders participated in a hands-on library orientation.
• English students used the library to find outside reading books, research author biographies, find literary criticism from online and print sources, learn about etymologies, create and deliver original narrations to wordless picture books, research the history of censorship in America, learn about MLA style, and write theses and topic sentences.
• Social studies students used the library to research military battles, American decades, colonization and imperialism, landmark legal cases, the holocaust, Asian history, and current events.
• Art students used the library to research artists, art forms, and movements.
• Music students used the library to perform biographical research about famous American musicians.
• World language students used the library to look up the cultures and history of South American Cultures, to find literature by Spanish-speaking authors, research Hispanic artists, and record messages to peers in France.
• Students in Science classes used the library to research anatomy, molecules, chemistry, topics in biology, forensics, and renewable energy.
• Two major author of young adult fiction, Laurie Halse Anderson and Steve Kluger, spoke in the library.
• I collaborated with teachers to introduce new instructional technologies to projects, including wikis, blogs, glogsters, and voicethreads.
• New library/co-taught lessons this year included researching colonialism in 19th Century Africa, writing “wordless” picture book, using parenthetical references and quotes in research papers, finding primary source documents online, and more.

Access and Delivery of Information

• This year, 685 books were added to our collection:
• Purchases were based on the curricular needs of our program of studies, as well as recommendations from faculty and students.

• Created new mystery section and new graphic book section.
• A large donation from the South Hadley Public Library added dozens of books of literary criticism to our collection (exact numbers will be available later in the year when all the books are cataloged).

Program Administration

• I maintained our participation in the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS), which provides us with free access to Infortrac, NewsBank, Net Library, and several other online subscription databases.
• I developed online research pathfinders for various research projects and added them to the library web page.
• Managed library budget and resources to maximize book purchases and minimize supply purchases.
• I attended TEP meeting to investigate the feasibility of introducing Koha software to the district’s libraries, and researched alternatives.
• I set up a test library on LibraryWorld software in order to make a recommendation to the central office about purchasing a license.
• I created a survey to gauge the effectiveness of the summer reading program.
• I collaborated with the Odyssey Bookshop to create a summer reading book fair and pre-ordering opportunity.

Professional Development

• I completed my Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science at Simmons College
• I was appointed to the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) President’s Commission and the Preconference Planning Task Force.
• I attended the MSLA’s annual conference in October.
• I observed Sue Crowther at Chicopee Comprehensive High School
• I spoke to graduate students at Springfield College about collaboration between guidance counselors and librarians, and about how school libraries can help guidance staff support LGBTQ students.

Goals for 2009-2010

• Create long range plan for submission to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

• Phase out Winnebago and begin using LibraryWorld as our OPAC.
• Create and implement school-wide style sheet based on MLA 7th edition.
• Improve catalog records, especially for our large collection of literary anthologies and our reference section.
• Collaborate with new middle school librarian to start creating a more codified district-wide information literacy curriculum.
• Observe the library at Granby High School during one of our professional development days.
• Attend an ALA national meeting
• Improve library signage, especially in the non fiction areas
• Create a table tent program for the cafeterias to advertise new books
• Expand DVD/electronic media section
• Begin an audio book/playaway section
• Increase collaboration with teachers in the science and social studies departments