Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Ben Wightman
LIS 524 School Library Field Experience
Fall 2014
October 15, 2014 Module 2
Cazenovia Middle School uses the Alexandria automation system. According to Anne
Hegel, the library media specialist (LMS), it is one of just two districts in the area that still do so.
Neighboring districts generally use the Mandarin automation system, because shared technical
support is available through BOCES. However, the library staff at Cazenovia prefers Alexandria
because it offers more sophisticated reports. Mrs. Hegel mentioned Folletts systems as
another possible alternative, but explained that most school districts cannot afford to use them.
Alexandria can generate a variety of reports on the librarys collection and patrons. For
Mrs. Hegel, the most useful reports are the circulation statistics. She finds them particularly
helpful during the weeding stage of the collection development cycle, because they allow her to
isolate materials that have not been checked out within a certain timeframe, usually three years.
Since my analysis was primarily focused on the acquisition aspect of collection development, I
made use of a different report called the super summary.
The super summary provided aggregate information about the call numbers, mediums,
ages, and usage of materials in the collection. It was especially good at highlighting outdated
areas, because it provided an average publication year and five age brackets for each Dewey
range it analyzed. The major drawback of the super summary was that the Dewey ranges on the
output side were inflexible. Materials were automatically sorted into groups based on the
hundreds digit of their Dewey numbers, and that division could not be modified or narrowed.
This made it difficult to analyze the broader Dewey areas, like the 500s and 900s, because it was
never clear from the collection-wide summary what subareas were well-developed and what ones
were not. Limited ranges could be specified on the input side, but no record of such limits was
preserved in the final report. For example, when I ordered a super summary on the Dewey range
330 to 399, the result page still accurately, but unhelpfully reported all findings as being in the
300-399 range. To get around this obstacle, Mrs. Hegel suggested analyzing the collection
through the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). Searching for all materials older than the
desired cut-off date within a certain Dewey range or subject area would generate a list of
potentially outdated resources, and this list, unlike the aggregate super summary report, included
specific titles. While this was a significant advantage, the OPAC method was ultimately
hampered by the same weakness as the super summary method. Neither could survey the whole
collection and proactively alert me to topical areas of weakness. They could only confirm
misgivings about areas already suspected of being weak.
For Mrs. Hegel, the limitations of the available analysis methods are somewhat mitigated
by the fact that she knows her collection and its underdeveloped topics. She suggested that I
explore two areas with known issues, folklore (the 398 range) and environmental topics (a
combination of Dewey areas 333, 363.7, 551.6, and 631). To these suggestions I added a third
area, the 400-499 range. The 400s are one of the narrowest Dewey areas, and thus one of the few
ranges in which the super summary was able to return relatively topic-specific results. I ran a
super summary and an OPAC search on all three ranges. The results are summarized in Table 1.
Wightman 2
Topic
Dewey Range
Language
400-499
Folklore
398
Environment 333/363.7/551.6/631
Table 1
No.
Titles
31
178
22
Avg.
Pub.
Yr.
1998
1999
2009
<2
yrs.
old
5
0
2
3-5
yrs.
old
0
2
12
6-10
yrs.
old
8
23
5
10-20
yrs.
old
17
91
3
20+
yrs.
old
16
79
0
Of the three sections, folklore seemed least likely to benefit from additional acquisitions
because it already contained a large number of titles. Although these titles tended to be relatively
old, the contents were not as time-sensitive as materials in areas like sports and the sciences
would be. While the section could undoubtedly be improved with an infusion of new resources,
the need did not seem particularly urgent compared to the other areas under consideration.
Weeding would be a more important priority when it came to improving the 398s.
Both the language and environment sections were in need of new acquisitions, but for
different reasons. The language section was modestly sized, but even older than the folklore
section. On the flip side, the environmental sources were all relatively recent, but few in number.
The underdevelopment of the environmental section was especially apparent in comparison to
nearby topics like space (Dewey area 523 121 titles) and natural disasters (3631 39 titles).
The energy production section (333) contained just twelve titles. Environmental pollution
(363.7) included an additional eight titles and climate change (551.6) a mere two titles. The
collection had no resources on environmentally-friendly agriculture (651). Thus, I had several
potential areas in which to explore new materials. I ultimately decided to focus my search on
agriculture. I did so for three reasons. First, I thought environment was a more pressing need
than language because environment is more likely to be the subject of a research project. Second,
I thought agriculture was the neediest aspect of the environmental area because the existing
collection was nonexistent. Third, Mrs. Hegel had expressed an interest in acquiring materials
about green farming, so I thought it would be the area in which my research would have the
greatest practical value.
I tried a few of the tools available at www.sldirectory.com, but was disappointed with all
of them. None could offer a selection broad enough to highlight ten good resources in the area I
was searching. In the end I borrowed a strategy from the sample write-up and visited Folletts
TitleWave website. Since Cazenovia is not a Follett client, I was not able to log on preexisting
credentials or take advantage of the collection analysis service. However, I was able to create a
free account that enabled me to browse the products Follett offers for sale. That was good
enough for my purposes. Due to its consistently available reviews, and more extensive previews,
TitleWave was the best searchable selection resource I found, and only other commercial
resources like Amazon and Google Books came close. Nevertheless, green agriculture was a
narrow enough area that it was difficult to find ten age-appropriate books, much less ten ageappropriate books I would recommend. My list of eleven2 possible titles is more of a survey than
an endorsement list. Although I would be interested in exploring all eleven titles further, I would
currently buy just four based on the information presently available. The eleven titles are listed in
1
2
Wightman 3
the tables below. Each table includes bibliographic information, published reviews, citations for
the reviews, and my assessment of the resource based on the available previews.
Although searching for resources on TitleWave was a good experience, I could not help
but feel as though I was doing something a little out of the ordinary, because while I was
working on this module a jobber stopped by, and I was able to observe Mrs. Hegels selection
process firsthand. The jobber brought three cases of printed books for her to browse, and she
spent a few seconds paging through each one before deciding whether to buy the volume, buy
the series, or pass. It was not an impulsive process, but it was a fluid one. She did not have a
specific number or set of titles to target, but she was aiming to address certain needs, including
curricular emphases and student interests. Her knowledge and prior analysis of the collection,
curriculum, and students was applied to a rapid evaluation, rather than a prolonged search. When
I asked her about that distinction afterward, she said also engages title-specific selection and
acquisition, but what I observed was by no means unusual. Reflecting on my experience with
this module, I think it makes sense to outsource some parts of the work. It took me the better part
of a day to compile the list of resources and then evaluate it. It would have been convenient to
allow someone like a jobber to compile the list for me. That step required little prior knowledge
of the collection (the only pitfall would be duplicating existing resources), and outsourcing it
would have freed me to work on other tasks. If there is one thing I have learned from my
experience so far, it is that library media specialists are pulled in many different directions. Any
tools that can streamline the job, like the automation system and Titlewave, are much
appreciated.
Wightman 4
Review 1
Rev. of Food and
Farming, by Jen
Green. Booklist 15
Feb 2013. Web.
Review 2
Rev. of Food and
Farming, by Jen
Green. Horn Book
2013: fall edition.
Web.
Review 3
Geck, Carolyn. Rev.
of Food and Farming,
by Jen Green. School
Library Journal 1 Feb
2013. Web.
Comments/Rationale
Fair Fit
The reading level of this book may be a little ambitious for a 5-7
library, but it could be useful for a 7th grade research project. It
includes many concrete facts that could easily be incorporated into an
essay, and the graphics have an informative purpose. They are not just
filler. Unfortunately, it is probably too dense and dry for students to
read as a choice book.
Wightman 5
2. Food, by Helen Whittaker
Bibliographic Info.
Preview
Dewey Number
Review 1
Northrup, Mary. Rev.
of Food, by Helen
Whittaker. Library
Media Connection
2013: May/June
edition. Web.
Review 2
Rev. of Food, by
Helen Whittaker.
School Library
Journal 1 Nov 2013.
Web.
This book probably has a narrow appeal, but I think students to whom it
does appeal would be strongly attracted to it. It includes seven handson, projects students can try at home. About half the projects relate to
home gardening, and the rest are applications for using locallyComments/Rationale
Fair Fit
produced food. Students who enjoy trying project ideas from books
would enjoy it. The background is a little too general to make it useful
as a research source, but teachers looking for class project ideas may
find it useful.
Wightman 6
3. Eating Green, by Apte Sunita
Bibliographic Info.
Preview
Dewey Number
Review 1
MacKay, Jennifer.
Rev. of Eating Green,
by Sunita Apte.
Library Media
Connection 2013:
Jan/Feb edition. Web.
Review 2
Rev. of Eating Green,
by Sunita Apte.
School Library
Journal 1 Mar 2012.
Web.
Comments/Rationale
Fair Fit
Gr 4-7-Apte considers how buying food grown locally, purchasing fewer packaged
and processed foods, and eating less meat can reduce energy consumption. She
explains terms such as "Fair Trade," "free range," and "organic" that readers might
encounter when shopping or dining. The attractive format features large photos.
The large photos are a very attractive element of this book, although
they are already beginning to look somewhat dated. Each chapter is
limited to about two paragraphs of text, so it is basically an
introductory book best suited for younger students. It may be useful in
classrooms where a quick exposition method is needed.
Wightman 7
4. Local Farms and Sustainable Foods, by Julia Vogel
Bibliographic Info.
Preview
Dewey Number
Review 1
Boatwright, Susan.
Rev. of Local Farms
and Sustainable
Foods, by Julia
Vogel. Library Media
Connection 2013:
Aug/Sept edition.
Web.
Review 2
Rev. of Local Farms
and Sustainable
Foods, by Julia
Vogel. School Library
Journal 1 Apr 2010.
Web.
Comments/Rationale
Uncertain Fit
Vogel, Julia. Local Farms and Sustainable Foods. Cherry Lake Pub.,
2010.
None available
630
5.4
Reading Level
In each book, students are encouraged to read the short passages and use creative
thinking and problem- solving to find the facts necessary to complete their quest.
Information, including applying national social studies and science standards, is
presented as a travel log with interactive scenarios. The strength of this series is that
children do research for a purpose with text written in a different format. Glossary.
Websites. Index. Recommended.
Gr 2-5-This series focuses on how children can become actively involved in protecting
the environment. At the beginning of each book, readers are given a mission and
advised to be alert to the facts provided so that they can successfully answer the
questions at the end. Next comes a neatly organized list of "What You Know"-facts to
keep in mind while reading-and then kids are off on an imaginary trip. In Compost It,
they visit a gardener who walks a reporter through building his own compost heap. In
Growing Your Own Garden, a class visits a school in Pennsylvania that is doing
exactly that. Reduce provides numerous easy ways in which children can step up to
the plate and recognize their responsibility to the planet. Other titles transport them to
China so they can understand the plight of pandas, or to Africa where elephants'
endangered status is explored. No matter which scenario is presented, children are
made to feel part of the process; suggestions for how they can become involved
abound. The books include "Further Missions" sections that describe such projects as
creating a greenhouse in a jar and designing an animal friendly backyard.
Wightman 8
5. From Farm to Table, by Richard Spilsbury
Bibliographic Info.
Preview
Dewey Number
Review 1
Younce, Eldon. Rev.
of From Farm to
Table, by Richard
Spilsbury. School
Library Journal 1 Feb
2011. Web.
Comments/Rationale
Uncertain Fit
Wightman 9
6. Dairy: From the Farm to Your Table, by Brian Hanson-Harding
Bibliographic Info.
Preview
Dewey Number
Review 1
Rev. of Dairy: From
the Farm to Your
Table, by Brian
Hanson-Harding.
Midwest Book
Review, 2013. Web.
Comments/Rationale
Good Fit
This book has the potential to hook students, particularly boys, with a
graphic narrative introduction and photographs of crowded cattle
barns and overflowing manure lagoons. The effect may not last
through the first two chapters, which get wordy quickly, but the final
three chapters may be interesting and controversial for students who
grew up on dairy farms. There are not illustrations on every page, but
the ones that are present are effective. Overall I think this is a versatile
book that could fit for choice reading, informative research, or
persuasive research. I would recommend it, along with several others
from the series.
Wightman 10
7. Meat: From the Farm to Your Table, by Heather Hasan
Bibliographic Info.
Preview
Dewey Number
Review 1
Carmenates, Cecelia.
Rev. of Meat: From
the Farm to Your
Table, by Heather
Hasan. Library Media
Connection 2013,
Aug/Sept edition.
Web.
Comments/Rationale
Good Fit
Hasan, Heather. Meat: From the Farm to Your Table. Rosen Central.,
2013.
Google Books
641.3
8.6
Reading Level
Each volume tackles a complex topic and breaks it down into manageable segments.
Readers learn about the history and development of our food industry, including safety
issues and environmental impact. The disturbing practices of factory farming and
frightening stories of tainted food are balanced by the details of precautions taken by
the food industry. Photographs, charts, and text boxes make for an attractive layout.
While perhaps difficult to tie directly to curriculum, these are insightful books will be
useful for environmental collections. Bibliography. Glossary. Index.
Despite the high reading level, I still think this book would be a good fit
for a 5-7 library. The vocabulary of the sections I previewed did not
appear to be too difficult for middle school students, and I think the
subject matter would interest them, (again boys in particular). Based on
the cover and table of contents, it looks like it could potentially make
some contentious claims. I was not able to preview the most
provocative-sounding chapters to check, but the reviewer seems to
believe it presented the facts fairly.
Each volume tackles a complex topic and breaks it down into manageable segments.
Carmenates, Cecelia.
Readers
learn about the history and development of our food industry, including safety
Rev. of Poultry: From
issues and environmental impact. The disturbing practices of factory farming and
the Farm to Your
frightening stories of tainted food are balanced by the details of precautions taken by
Table, by Daniel E.
the food industry. Photographs, charts, and text boxes make for an attractive layout.
Harmon. Library
While perhaps difficult to tie directly to curriculum, these are insightful books will be
useful for environmental collections. Bibliography. Glossary. Index.
Media Connection
2013, Aug/Sept
edition. Web.
My comments about the book above generally apply to this book as
well.
Its unclear from the previews how graphic either book gets when
Comments/Rationale
Good Fit
actually describing slaughter, but some discretion may be advisable.
Students could potentially be upset by what they read.
Wightman 11
9. Fish: From the Catch to Your Table, by Paula Johanson
Bibliographic Info.
Preview
Dewey Number
Review 1
Johanson, Paula. Fish: From the Catch to Your Table. Rosen Central.,
2013.
Google Books
338.4
8.2
Reading Level
Each volume tackles a complex topic and breaks it down into manageable segments.
Carmenates, Cecelia.
Readers
learn about the history and development of our food industry, including safety
Rev. of Poultry: From
issues and environmental impact. The disturbing practices of factory farming and
the Farm to Your
frightening stories of tainted food are balanced by the details of precautions taken by
Table, by Daniel E.
the food industry. Photographs, charts, and text boxes make for an attractive layout.
Harmon. Library
While perhaps difficult to tie directly to curriculum, these are insightful books will be
useful for environmental collections. Bibliography. Glossary. Index.
Media Connection
2013, Aug/Sept
edition. Web.
My comments about the book above generally apply to this book as
Comments/Rationale
well. It is not strictly related to farming, but I think it would still be a
Good Fit
good fit for the collection.
10. Fruits and Vegetables: From the Garden to Your Table, by Ann Byers.
Bibliographic Info.
Preview
Dewey Number
Review 1
Byers, Ann. Fruits and Vegetables: From the Garden to Your Table.
Rosen Central., 2013.
Google Books
363.19
7.7
Reading Level
Carmenates, Cecelia.
Each volume tackles a complex topic and breaks it down into manageable segments.
Rev. of Fruits and
Readers learn about the history and development of our food industry, including safety
Vegetables: From the
issues and environmental impact. The disturbing practices of factory farming and
Garden to Your Table, frightening stories of tainted food are balanced by the details of precautions taken by
the food industry. Photographs, charts, and text boxes make for an attractive layout.
by Ann Byers.
While perhaps difficult to tie directly to curriculum, these are insightful books will be
Library Media
useful for environmental collections. Bibliography. Glossary. Index.
Connection 2013,
Aug/Sept edition.
Web.
This is the vegetable counterpart to the books above. Although its not
as exciting, it has the same format and narrative structure. It does not
Comments/Rationale
sugarcoat fruits and vegetables. Like its companions on meat, it
Good Fit
presents a fair overview of the advantages and potential dangers (like
E. coli) of vegetable cultivation.
Wightman 12
11. Sustainable Farming, by Carol Ballard
Bibliographic Info.
Preview
Dewey Number
Review 1
Monahan, Jo. Rev. of
Sustainable Farming,
by Carol Ballard.
Library Media
Connection 2013:
March/April edition.
Web.
Comments/Rationale
Fair Fit
Based on the review this book seems to be a possible fit, despite the fact
that its not a particularly recent one.