ERIC ED389298: Handbook for Alaska K-12 School Libraries.

295 Pages·1995·8.7 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
IR 055 678
ED 389 298
Sitter, Clara L.; Matthis, Della
AUTHOR
Handbook for Alaska K-12 School Libraries.
TITLE
Alaska .State Library, Juneau.
INSTITUTION
PUB DATE
95
295p.
NOTE
Non-Classroom Use (055)
Guides
PUB TYPE
MF01/PC12 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
*Elementary Secondary Education; Library Collections;
DESCRIPTORS
Library Instruction; *Library Science; *Library
Services; Library Standards; Public Schools; *School
Libraries; *User Needs (Information)
*Alaska
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
This guide is a general introduction to school
libraries with specific information for libraries in Alaska. More
than 60% of the nearly 500 public schools in Alaska have fewer than
-ts, and it is not unusual to find school libraries staffed
200 s
with little or no preparation. This guide answers many
by peL,
..
frequently asked questions. The overview provides an introduction to
school librarianship, in general, and Alaska, in particular. The
"Nitty Gritty" section, the real body of the work, takes specific
topics and provides a brief explanation of the subject with practical
how-to suggestions for implementing ideas or following up with
further study. The Nitty Gritty contains 73 topics, designed so that
they can be copied for the library. Topics range from accreditation
standards for Alaska libraries, through bibliographies for age groups
and special interests, to discussions of technology, vendors, and
special resources such as story tellers. The 73 topics are arranged
alphabetically. (SLD)
***********************************************************************
*
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
*
*
*
from the original document.
***********************************************************************
U.S. DEPARTMENT CF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Researc, and Improvement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER (ERIC)
O This document has been reproduced as
received from the person or organization
originating it
O Minor changes have been made to
improve reproduction quality
Points of view or opinions stated in this
document do not necessarily represent
official OERI position or policy
Alaska K-12 School
Clara 1.. Sitter w.a4 Della Matthk
PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS
Department of Education
MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Alaska State 'Library
George V. Smith
BEST COPY AVA11.411
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
4
H44,40
to
)
Clara L. Sitter
University of Alaska Anchorage
wa Della Matthis
Alaska State Library
Alaska Department of Education
Alaska State Library
344 West 3rd Avenue, Suite 125, Anchorage, AK 99501
1995
FAIR USE AND REPRODUCTION
The contents of the manual may be reprinted in whole or in
part, provided credit is given.
Reproduction of this manual in whole or in part for resale is
not authorized.
BRAND NAME DISCLAEMER:
Occasionally, a brand name will be given after referring to a
generic product. The brand names given are those commonly
used and accepted by professionals in the field of librarianship
and are given to assist the novice information provider in
obtaining materials thm: may not be familiar.
Naming a particular product in the handbook does not
constitute an endorsement of that product.
Distributed by the
Alaska State Library
344 W. Third Ave., Suite 125
Anchorage, AK 99501
Sitter Clara
Handbook for Alaska K-12 school libraries / Clara Sitter
and Della Matthis. Juneau, Dept. of Education, 1995-
: 28 cm.
v. (various pagings) : ill.
Includes glossary.
Bibliography: p._
1. School librariesAlaska I. Title II. Matthis, Della
Z675.S3 S
027.812713
This document was prepared on Pagemaker 5.0 (Mac) and on MS Word
5.1 (Mac).Those who would like copies of this document on disk should
contact the School Library/Modia Coordinator (907-269-6558).
4
Acknowledgments
/ v
/ vii
Preface
Alaska School Libraries: An Overview
I. Putting School libraries in Perspective
Link in a Network of Libraries
/ 1
/ 3
Component in the Education System
/ 4
Other Relationships
11. Managing Your School Library
/ 6
Laying the Foundation
/ 7
Assessing Your Resources
Identifying Management Skills
/ 9
DI. Connecting People and Information
Building the Collection
/ 11
/ 14
Managing the Collection
/ 14
Developing Your Library Program
IV. Becoming an Information L.eader
/ 16
Preparing for Leadership
/ 18
Dealing vvith Issues
/ 19
Taking Action
/ 20
Glossary
/ 34
Bibliography
/ 36
Index
iii
Handbook for Alaska K-12 School Libraries
( 0 .
Gaiv/ 1-41
Nom,
P-2
D-1
A-1
Accreditation Standards
Processing Materials
Documents for School Libraries
A-2
P-3
Professional Collections for
Alaska 2000 and
E-1
National Education Goals
Equipment Librarians
E-2
P-4
A-3
Alaska Standards
ERIC Public Relations
E-3
A-4
Alaska State Library Ethics
R-1
E-4 Reading Promotion Programs
A-5
Alaskana
Evaluation Guidelines
R-2
Rearranging, Remodeling, and
A-6
E-5
Planning New Libraries
Evaluation of Libruy Media
Associations and Organizations
Specialists
R-3
A-7
Reference Books
Author Visits
R-4
F-1
Research Summaries
Automation Issues
Filing Rules
A-9
Awards, Honors, and Prizes
G-1
S-1
Safety Checklist
Gnosis
G-2
S-2
B-1
Schedules
Battle of the Books
Grants
B-2
S-3
School Districts and Libraries
Bibliographic Format
I-1
Information Power
S-4
B-3
Selection
Bibliographies
1-2
Information Skills
S-5
B-4
Shelving and Reshelving
Book Fairs
1-3
S-6
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
B-5
Signs for the Library
Booktalks
1-4
S-7
Internet
B-6
SLED
Bulletin Boards
1-5
Inventory
S-8
Statistics
C-1
S-9
Caldecott Medal Winners
J-1
Storytelling
Job Descriptions
C-2
S-10
Calendar for Management
Student Aides
C-3
L-1
Calendar for Special Events
Laser Cat and Fast Cat
C-4
L-2
T-1
Talking Book Center
Call Numbers and Classification
Laws and Legislation
T-2
L-3
C-5
Technology in School Libraries
Libraries in Alaska
CD-ROM Searching and CD-
L-4
ROMs
Library Schools
C-6
V-1
Vendors and Distributors
Censorship and Controversial
(ALA Accredited)
V-2
Materials
Vertical Files
C-7
M-1
Certification
Mission Statements
V-3
Volunteers
C-8
M-2
Clip Art
Muskox
W-1
C-9
Weeding
Competencies
N-1
Newbery Medal Winners
C-10
Y-1
Young Readers' Choice Award
Confidentiality
C-11
P- I
Copyright Guidelines
Procedures Manuals
Handbook for Alaska K-12 School Libraries
iv
6
Azi4.44d4
Many thanks to the school librarians in Alaska for their general suggestions
and their written contributions. We have footnoted major contributions by indi-
viduals but many informal comments and suggestions added to the richness of this
document.
Audrey Kolb's Manual for Small Libraries in Alaska was the inspiration for
attempting a companion volume for school libraries. Parts of that text were incorpo-
rated into this manual. Jo Morse, former School Library/Media Coordinator, of-
fered good advice for this effort, as she did for all the library projects undertaken
during her tenure here.
Works from other state libraries and published materials from experts in the
field were consulted. Many of those references are cited throughout the Handbook,
but a list of state library resources is in a separate bibliography. Additional commer-
cial publications are listed in the entry Professional Collections for LibrariansIP-3.
Blanche Woolls was especially helpful with advice and encouragement, as was Linda
Loewen.
Our appreciation to Ruth Jean Shaw, Anchorage School District Library
Resources manager, for indexing the work, to Katy Spangler for contributing her
expertise in Alaskan literature and to Wanda Seamster, who did the graphic design.
Major contributions were made by Mollie Bynum, Linda Masterson, Lynn
Hallquist, Susan Elliott, Mary Jennings, Pat Meek, Judy Monroe, Chrystal Carr
Jeter, Alan McCurry, Mary Hacker, Tiki Levinson, Dona Kubina, Roz Goodman
and the completely indispensable "right hand"
of the Alaska State Library in Anchorage,
JoAnn Berna
Handbook for Alaska K-12 School Libraries
,
7
Tills publication was released by the Department
of Education. It was produced at a cost of $8.75 per copy
to provide school librarians with an updatable source of
information and advice on program management. The
Handbook for Alaska K-I2 School Libraries for the
school year 1995-1996 was printed in Anchorage.
o
8
Putetez
Nitty Gritty. Once you are acquainted with the
The Alaska State Library is pleased to
topics covered you can refer to them as needed.
present each school library in Alaska with a copy
Several special features should facilitate your
of the Handbookfor Alaska K-12 School Librar-
use of the guide: bibliographies where appro-
ies. The guide is a general introduction to school
priate, cross references, a glossary, an index, and
libraries with specific information for school li-
the list for Nifty Gritty on the back cover.
braries in Alaska.
The guide was planned and drafted by
Alaska has 53 school districts with
Clara Sitter during 1994 but printing was de-
nearly 500 schools. More than 60% of public
layed until the new School Library/Media Co-
schools in Alaska have fewer than 200 students;
ordinator could be hired. During the spring and
30% have fewer than 50 students. In small
summer of 1995, Clara and Della Matthis, the
schools it is expected that people fill multiple
new Coordinator, worked together to amend
roles. It is not unusual to find school libraries
chang-
some of the topics and to update rapidly
staffed by individuals who are assigned to the
ing library information. The result is a collabo-
library (often only a few hours a day) with little
rative effort from these two former school li-
of the
or no preparation. Regardless of the size
brarians with a combined library work experi-
school, running a school library is a big job. It
ence totaling nearly 50 years.
is important to make every minute in the library
Clara Sitter has been a librarian for thirty
productive.
years with seventeen years experience as a sec-
This guide has been written to help li-
ondary school librarian. She received her M.L.S.
brary staff maximize their work by providing
from the University of Texas in Austin in Janu-
information and references to many of the "fre-
Certificate from
ary, 1966, an Advanced Studies
quently asked questions." Alaska school librar-
the University of Denver in 1981, and a Ph.D.
ians told us early in the project that what they
in Education from the University of Colorado
really wanted was the "Nifty Gritty" of running
Boulder in 1982. She is currently a library fac-
that
a school library. We have tried to address
ulty member at the University of Alaska Anchor-
request in this "user-friendly" guide. There are
with responsi-
age (UAA) Consortium Library
two parts to the manualthe Overview and the
bility for the K-12 Curriculum Collection and
Nitty Gritty section. The Overview is an intro-
of Education.
serves as liaison to the School
duction to school librarianship in general, but
During the winter of 1994, an arrangement be-
particularly in Alaska. The "Nifty Gritty" sec-
tween UAA and the Alaska State Library pro-
tion, the real body of the work, takes specific
vided an opportunity for a spring semester as-
topics and provides a brief explanation of the
signment to the Alaska State Library filling the
subject with practical "how to" suggestions for
Media
long vacant position of School Library
implementing ideas or following up with fur-
Coordinator. During the five month period, the
ther study. Sections of the Nitty Gritty are de-
Office of the School Library Media Coordina-
signed to be copied for use in the library. The
schools in
tor was reestablished, consulting to
best way to familiarize yourself with this manual
Alaska was provided, and this manual for school
is to (1) Glance through the Table of Contents;
libraries was started. In August 1994, the au-
(2) Read the Overview; (3) Skim through the
vii
Handbook for Alaska K-12 School Libraries
9
.
thor returned to the University as Library In-
No manual can answer all of your ques-
struction Coordinator, maintaining a strong link
tions. The Alaska State Library is committed to
to the Alaska State Library as well as the UAA
providing consulting assistance to Alaska
School of Education.
Schools throt. zh the Office of the School Li-
Della Matthis began her appointment
bra! y/Media Coordinator for help when it is
as Alaska's School Library/Media Coordinator
needed. In the meantime, read on....
in April, 1995. She was a school librarian in the
Anchorage School District for sixteen years,
Clara L. Sitter and Della Matthis
eight in elementary libraries and eight in
sec-
for the Alaska State Library,
ondary. She served as a Computer Teacher Ex-
September, 1995
pert for the Anchorage district for three years.
She has an undergraduate degree in elementary
education from Eastern Kentucky University and
an MAT with a school library emphasis from
Alaska Methodist University.
It is our hope that you will find this guide
helpful whether you are new to the job or a "sea-
soned" achool librarian. The manual is ad-
dressed to the novice library staff but because it
includes so much information in one source, it
should also be useful to experienced librarians.
This first edition may prompt suggestions for
additional information. Your comments can be
sent to either of us at the following addresses:
Della Matthis,
School Library/Media Coordinator
Alaska State Library
344 W. Third Avenue, Suite 125
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907-269-6568)
Clara L. Sitter, Consortium Library
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage AK 99508
(907-786-1844)
viii
Handbook for Alaska K-12 School Libraries
10