How fortunate I am to be the recipient of over $900 for my library! My school's PTO just presented me with funds that were generated at our school's "Movie Nights." John Burke's Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion offers a step-by-step guide to writing a technology plan. I will use that information to revisit the three-year plan that I wrote last year so I can get started securing the resources that the library desperately needs.
Burke talks about how important it is to take an inventory (Step 1) of what your library already has. Three years ago, a laptop, projector and projection screen were purchased. There are also about a dozen desktop computers and two CD/tape players in the library. In an ideal situation, I would purchase at least six new desktop computers to replace the slow-running ones that are currently housed there. I would also buy about a dozen iPads for my students to use in pairs. Even close to $1000 is not enough for those items, so purchasing high-interest, well-read books, a few video recorders and (little) kid-friendly furniture would serve a great and immediate need, (Step 2).
In Step 3, which I call "The Ops"--The Options & The Opportunities--we are to weigh and seize those two very things. In the past, our computer teacher purchased video cameras for classroom teachers to use upon request. I will talk with the current computer teacher and the school clerk (who puts through and oversees purchases) to determine the highest quality, most economical brands. Granted, technological equipment, like most things, if bought with school funds, has to be purchased through particular vendors. That could limit what I can buy. Often times, however, librarians upgrade their resources. I will contact my area Department of Libraries liaison to see if anyone is willing to donate gently used books, furniture or technological equipment.
It is important to follow step 4: look at the school and the library's priorities. With that in mind, the excitement about reading and attitudes about Library itself tends to increase dramatically whenever new materials of any sort are introduced. A new poster featuring Jeff Kinney's character "Greg" from his Diary of A Wimpy Kid collection or one showing the three Bone cousins from Jeff Smith's Bone series has already sparked my students' interest. I have actually ordered some of the books that they are requesting, and they are sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation of their arrival. I plan to use the video cameras to record some of the 1st and 2nd grade students reading their favorite Mo Willems' books. What a great resource to share with their peers, teachers and parents! Levels of confidence and enthusiasm are sure to grow. My students in 3rd grade and below will be happy to sit in chairs made just for them.
Step 5 deals with funds, and I am fortunate to have even more now. Currently, there is slightly over $3200 in the Library fund that can be allocated for books and supplies. An additional $1200, received as payments for lost items, can be used to replace those materials. I can, however, spend the newly-received PTO funds anyway I see fit.
In the final step, number six, Burke suggests that we create a timeline to carry out our plan. For me, the time is now. I am so glad that I can begin to purchase materials right away. I have saved money over the years and with the recent additional monies, there is no need to hesitate. I just spent $855 to acquire 5 books a month over the next month as part of the Junior Library Guild's Book of the Month Club. Three hundred dollars ($300) has been spent on books (including almanacs, holiday books and popular series like Percy Jackson) from Scholastic Books Club. Some time this week, I will shop around for the video recorders; I have already priced the furniture. I know how important it is to proceed with caution and reason when making purchases of any kind. I also know how important revivals are, and my library definitely needs to be awakened and renewed!
Burke talks about how important it is to take an inventory (Step 1) of what your library already has. Three years ago, a laptop, projector and projection screen were purchased. There are also about a dozen desktop computers and two CD/tape players in the library. In an ideal situation, I would purchase at least six new desktop computers to replace the slow-running ones that are currently housed there. I would also buy about a dozen iPads for my students to use in pairs. Even close to $1000 is not enough for those items, so purchasing high-interest, well-read books, a few video recorders and (little) kid-friendly furniture would serve a great and immediate need, (Step 2).
In Step 3, which I call "The Ops"--The Options & The Opportunities--we are to weigh and seize those two very things. In the past, our computer teacher purchased video cameras for classroom teachers to use upon request. I will talk with the current computer teacher and the school clerk (who puts through and oversees purchases) to determine the highest quality, most economical brands. Granted, technological equipment, like most things, if bought with school funds, has to be purchased through particular vendors. That could limit what I can buy. Often times, however, librarians upgrade their resources. I will contact my area Department of Libraries liaison to see if anyone is willing to donate gently used books, furniture or technological equipment.
It is important to follow step 4: look at the school and the library's priorities. With that in mind, the excitement about reading and attitudes about Library itself tends to increase dramatically whenever new materials of any sort are introduced. A new poster featuring Jeff Kinney's character "Greg" from his Diary of A Wimpy Kid collection or one showing the three Bone cousins from Jeff Smith's Bone series has already sparked my students' interest. I have actually ordered some of the books that they are requesting, and they are sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation of their arrival. I plan to use the video cameras to record some of the 1st and 2nd grade students reading their favorite Mo Willems' books. What a great resource to share with their peers, teachers and parents! Levels of confidence and enthusiasm are sure to grow. My students in 3rd grade and below will be happy to sit in chairs made just for them.
Step 5 deals with funds, and I am fortunate to have even more now. Currently, there is slightly over $3200 in the Library fund that can be allocated for books and supplies. An additional $1200, received as payments for lost items, can be used to replace those materials. I can, however, spend the newly-received PTO funds anyway I see fit.
In the final step, number six, Burke suggests that we create a timeline to carry out our plan. For me, the time is now. I am so glad that I can begin to purchase materials right away. I have saved money over the years and with the recent additional monies, there is no need to hesitate. I just spent $855 to acquire 5 books a month over the next month as part of the Junior Library Guild's Book of the Month Club. Three hundred dollars ($300) has been spent on books (including almanacs, holiday books and popular series like Percy Jackson) from Scholastic Books Club. Some time this week, I will shop around for the video recorders; I have already priced the furniture. I know how important it is to proceed with caution and reason when making purchases of any kind. I also know how important revivals are, and my library definitely needs to be awakened and renewed!
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