Library Collection Enhancement Proposal

Prepared for: Mr. Eric Gomez, Principal

Prepared by: Mrs. Cecelia Hirsch, Library Media Specialist Student Teacher
 THE MEPHAM HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Mrs. Cecelia Hirsch, Library Media Specialist Student Teacher
Where today’s students become tomorrow’s creators!

OVERVIEW
As part of the 11th grade English curriculum, students in Mrs. Lehrerin’s class were asked to
consider the following:
Persistent exposure to discrimination can lead individuals to internalize the prejudice or
stigma that is directed against them, manifesting in shame, low self-esteem, fear, and
stress, as well as poor health. It can cause discouraging and damaging effects regarding
the impacted person’s social, emotional, psychological, physical, and economic well-
being. Consider the marginalization of a specific group of people due to cis gender,
race/ethnicity, immigration, economic status, disabilities/special needs/mental illness,
or sexual orientation/gender identification.
This project will require the students to utilize the library’s resources to make an argument
about the ways in which discrimination has impacted the marginalized group’s opportunities,
well-being, and/or sense of agency. While students are allowed to use fiction books as
supplementary materials, their primary source of information is non-fiction materials. Students
will also be expected to find information using digital resources located in the school’s library
databases. To ensure that the needs of these students are met, an analysis of a portion of the
library’s collection was conducted.

SELECTED NON-FICTION COLLECTION ASSESSMENT

The following table lists the sections of the collection that were deemed relevant to the
research topic and therefore analyzed.

DEWEY - CATEGORY AV. AGE # OF ITEMS ANALYSIS OF SECTION

Biography 2003 620 This is a well-established collection with

many titles. Since biographies are
“timeless”, analysis of this section is based
on the physical condition of the books and
their circulation statistics.

300 Social Sciences 2010 158 Many of these titles are outdated and
irrelevant, with poor circulation.
360 Social Problems & Social Services 2011 191 Additionally, the information and
resources can be found in various school
library databases.

920 Biography, Genealogy, Insignia 2008 54 Some of these titles circulate poorly.

Total # of items in the selected sections: 1,023

LIS 585 • Collection Enhancement Proposal • 1

 THE MEPHAM HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Mrs. Cecelia Hirsch, Library Media Specialist Student Teacher
Where today’s students become tomorrow’s creators!

DESELECTION OF MATERIALS
While I would love to keep every book that has ever existed in our collection, the reality is that
it is simply not possible. The physical space of the library, alone, makes the existence of a
limitless collection impossible. Therefore, with such a limited collection it is vital that it is
considered current and relevant. In addition, we must consider the constant handling of the
print materials by the students, making basic wear and tear inevitable, as well as the potential
for extraneous damages. It is for these reasons that the collection must go through a
deselection process known as weeding, which is essential to maintaining a relevant and
attractive collection. Books are removed from the collection if they meet the MUSTIE criteria:
• Contains misleading or obsolete information
• Has an ugly physical appearance, i.e., worn or damaged
• The information is superseded by duplicate copies or new editions
• The content is trivial and of no discernible merit
• Is irrelevant to the needs of the student population
• The information or book itself can be obtained elsewhere1
Analysis of the selected sections determined that a fair number of books fell within the MUSTIE
criteria. Many of the books selected for weeding were significantly older than the
recommended age of its section, were not circulating, had not been checked out in years, or
showed visible signs of age or damage.

CATEGORY # OF BOOKS REMOVED % OF CATEGORY

Biography 5 1%

300 Social Sciences 11 7%

360 Social Problems & Social Services 11 6%

920 Biography, Genealogy, Insignia 19 35%

Total # of books removed: 46

1 Larson, Jeanette. CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 2012, pp. 52-

53. Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 2021,

www.tsl.texas.gov/sites/default/files/public/tslac/ld/ld/pubs/crew/crewmethod12.pdf.

LIS 585 • Collection Enhancement Proposal • 2

 THE MEPHAM HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Mrs. Cecelia Hirsch, Library Media Specialist Student Teacher
Where today’s students become tomorrow’s creators!

RECOMMENDATION
Based on the analysis of the current collection, it has been determined that, though the library
currently possesses several resources relevant to the research project, they do not adequately
support the needs of all students due to its limitations in scope and differentiation. Therefore, I
am recommending using library funds to purchase additional print and digital materials to
support the diverse needs of these students. Furthermore, adding the additional resources
listed helps support the library’s mission to empower students with the essential skills needed
to be effective creators, critical thinkers, and ethical users of information by providing equitable
access to information and technology.

PROPOSED BUDGET
Total Requested Budget: $684.78
The vendor we use for printed books is Follett Titlewave; many of the below titles are available
as an e-book or audiobook. However, purchasing digital versions of a book comes at a higher
cost, with limited access, therefore if an audio or e-book is needed it would be best to try an
Interlibrary Loan or contact the local libraries before considering purchase.

TOTAL REQUESTED BUDGET FOR ACQUISITION OF RESOURCES

Printed Books $633.30
Non-Printed Resources $51.48
Grand Total $684.78

The tables in the next section provide a breakdown of requested resources and their costs.

LIS 585 • Collection Enhancement Proposal • 3

 THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Mrs. Cecelia Hirsch, Library Media Specialist
Where today’s students become tomorrow’s creators!

BUDGET PROPOSAL BREAK DOWN

PRINTED BOOKS
TITLE, AUTHOR, YEAR DESCRIPTION, JUSTIFICATION, REVIEWS COST
Sorted: Growing Up, LGBTQ+ advocate Jackson Bird’s memoir about coming out as a transgender man growing up in Texas. $22.50
Coming Out, and Finding Jackson uses life spanning journal entries to chronicle the ups and downs of growing up gender
My Place confused, highlighting the challenges and the loneliness of his situation.
Jackson Bird, 2020 Justification: There is a robust and diverse memoir collection in the library, however currently it is
Int. Level: AD limited in transgender titles. I believe this book fits well in the above research project, as well as being a
strong LGBTQ title to add to the collection.
Reviews: Publishers Weekly Annex, 09/09/19
We Are Here to Stay: The Stories of nine undocumented young adults from Colombia, Mexico, Ghana, Independent Samoa, and $18.10
Voices of Undocumented Korea, living in America. They all have heartbreaking, yet hopeful, stories about leaving their homes and
Young Adults starting new lives in America.
Susan Kuklin, 2020 Justification: Although this was specifically requested by the teacher, I believe this is a good resource to
Int. Level: YA have for future point-counterpoint projects regarding immigration. This is a High-Low title that will
Lexile: HL630 appeal to those students reading at a lower level.
Reviews: Booklist, 2/15/18 • Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, 12/01/18 • Horn Book
Magazine, 05/01/19 • Kirkus Reviews, 11/01/18 • Publishers Weekly Annex, 02/25/19 • School Library
Connection Starred, 05/01/19 • School Library Journal, 01/01/19
Disability Visibility Seventeen essays written by disabled people provide insight into their experiences while examining $16.34
(Adapted for Young ableism, inequality, challenges, wisdom, and passion.
Adults): 17 First-Person Justification: The library collection lacks this type of first-person accounts, or memoirs from individuals
Stories for Today with disabilities. This specific title was chosen because of its favorable and multiple starred reviews.
Alice Wong, 2021
Reviews: Booklist starred, 10/15/21 • Kirkus Reviews starred, 09/15/21 • School Library Journal starred,
Int. Level: YA
11/01/21
Lexile: 1050L

LIS 585 • Collection Enhancement Proposal • 4

 THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Mrs. Cecelia Hirsch, Library Media Specialist
Where today’s students become tomorrow’s creators!

The Black Friend: On Being The author uses race-related anecdotes from his past, reflecting on why they were hurtful and how he $16.34
a Better White Person might handle things differently now. The book discusses cultural appropriation, "reverse racism", white
Fredrick Joseph, 2020 privilege, microaggressions, and the tragic results of overt racism.
Int. Level: YA Justification: This book is a good fit regarding the topic of the research project, with each story
Lexile: 980L highlighting how the actions of a white person, whether intentional or not, have left a lasting impact on
the author and contributors. I believe the humorous and friendly tone used in the book will go over well
with students, and it may find itself in heavy rotation.
Reviews: Booklist starred, 12/01/20 • Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred, 12/01/20 •
Kirkus Reviews, 10/15/20 • Publishers Weekly Annex starred, 11/09/20 • School Library Journal starred,
12/01/20
Well-Read Black Girl: A collection of essays by Black women writers highlighting the need for more diverse characters in $25.95
Finding Our Stories, books and the importance of recognizing oneself in literature.
Discovering Ourselves Justification: This book provides a different perspective on race, identity, and its effects on a person. I
Glory Edim, 2018 think it fits well in this specific research project but can also be useful in issue papers regarding book
Int. Level: AD banning and the need for books to be reflective of the student population.
Reviews: Booklist, 10/01/18 • Kirkus Reviews, 08/15/18 • Library Journal starred, 10/15/18 • Publishers
Weekly Annex, 10/22/18 • School Library Journal starred, 11/01/18
Understanding Gender Succinctly explains what gender identity means and clarifies relevant vocabulary. Discusses assumptions $32.05
Identity and expectations about gender and the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation.
Don Nardo, 2021 Justification: This book fits with my goal of bringing in more titles related to Transgender issues and
Int. Level: YA gender identity.
Reviews: School Library Connection starred, 11/01/21 • School Library Journal Xpress, 12/10/21
Finding Refuge: Real Life Features a collection of essays about the experiences of teenage refugees from around the world, $37.32
Immigration Stories from providing background information about the countries the refugees are from and why they had to leave.
Young People Justification: This will be very useful for any student who chooses to do their project on immigrants or
Victorya Rouse, 2021 refugees. The book tells multiple true stories directly from the source, using their own words. It is great
Int. Level: YA for this project and other projects involving immigration, e.g., argumentative papers.
Lexile: 780L
Reviews: Kirkus Reviews, 8/1/21 • School Library Journal Xpress, 10/1/21

LIS 585 • Collection Enhancement Proposal • 5

 THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Mrs. Cecelia Hirsch, Library Media Specialist
Where today’s students become tomorrow’s creators!

Living While Black: Using This book highlights psychologist Guilaine Kinouani’s research on how racism affects both physical and $22.47
Joy, Beauty, and mental health. Based on her findings, Kinouani highlights the deteriorating mental health of those facing
Connection to Heal Racial prejudice, discrimination, and the lasting effects of the violence of white supremacy.
Trauma Justification: This book directly relates to the project’s topic from a research perspective.
Guilaine Kinouani, 2022
Int. Level: AD
Being LGBTQ in America This series explores what life is like for adolescents in the LGBTQ community, including topics like $162.00
Book Set coming out, bullying and discrimination in school, and mental health.
Duchess Harris, 2020 Books in Series: Being Transgender • Growing up LGBTQ • LGBTQ Discrimination • LGBTQ Rights and
Int. Level: YA Law • LGBTQ Service in the Armed Forces • LGBTQ Social Movements in America
Lexile: Range 1070L-1160L
Justification: This series of books align with Common Core and State Standards and are a good addition
to expanding the LGBTQ non-fictions titles.
Reviews: School Library Connection, 01/01/20 • School Library Journal, 11/01/19
Discrimination in Society This book examines the many types of discrimination and their effects on real people. It includes $192.30
Book Set personal accounts and quotes from experts in various fields providing insight into the topics.
Multiple Authors, 2019 Books in Series: Age Discrimination by Carla Mooney • Disability Discrimination by James Roland • LGBT
Int. Level: YA Discrimination by Heidi Carolyn Feldman • Racial Discrimination by Peggy Parks • Religious
Discrimination by Peggy Parks • Sex Discrimination by Peggy Parks
Justification: This series directly address the research topic and is a good series to have on hand as the
teacher has mentioned that she will continue to explore this topic in the future.
Reviews: School Library Connection, 03/01/19
Riding the Bus with My A memoir that chronicles the experiences the author had and the lessons she learned during the year $16.34
Sister: A True Journey she spent riding the bus daily with her mentally handicapped sister.
(updated edition) Justification: This replaces an older version of the book that is being weeded. The book circulates well
Rachel Simon, 2013 and needed to be replaced.
Int. Level: AD
Reviews: School Library Journal, 02/01/2003 • Booklist, 08/01/2002 • Publishers Weekly, 06/17/2002 •
Kirkus Review, 06/01/2002

LIS 585 • Collection Enhancement Proposal • 6


Homeless: Youth Living in
the Streets
Gail Sydner, 2022
Int. Level: YA
The Talk: Conversations
About Race, Love & Truth
Wade Hudson & Cheryl
Hudson, 2020
Int. Level: 5th – 8th
Lexile: 780L
“Why Are All the Black Kids
Sitting Together in the
Cafeteria?”: And Other
Conversation About Race
Beverly Daniel Tatum, 2017
Int Level: AD
THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Mrs. Cecelia Hirsch, Library Media Specialist
Where today’s students become tomorrow’s creators!
Explores the causes and consequences of youth homelessness and features the personal stories of the $32.05
youth affected by it.
Justification: Currently there is a dearth of sources reflecting homelessness in the collection. This is a
recent book on the topic that is favorably reviewed by School Library Journal.
Reviews: School Library Journal, 01/01/22
Thirty diverse authors and illustrators discuss the conversations they have with their children about race $15.46
in America today and its affect on identity, and self-esteem.
Justification: This book is in a lower reading level making it accessible to a wider range of students. In
addition, it does not focus on one racial group but discusses race in a broader term encompassing
different groups. I think this book provides an interesting perspective on the topic as it highlights how
parents discuss the effects of racial identity with their children.
Reviews: Booklist starred, 08/01/20 • Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred, 09/01/20 •
Horn Book Magazine, 09/01/20 • Kirkus Reviews starred, 07/15/20 • Publishers Weekly Annex starred,
10/05/20 • School Library Journal Xpress, 08/28/20
Updated version of the 2003 book on the psychology of racism. Beverly Daniel Tatum argues that $17.22
straight talk about our racial identities is essential if we are serious about enabling communication
across racial and ethnic divides.
Justification: This replaces the older version that is being weeded. Many teachers have diversity
projects, and this book heavily circulates.
Automated book processing for 14 books at $ .49/book $6.86
Total for Printed Books $633.30
LIS 585 • Collection Enhancement Proposal • 7

TITLE
65 Thigs Not to Say to Your
Black Friend: An Anti-
Racist’s Guide to
Microaggressions & How
They Really Impact Black
People
TJ Forrester, 2021
Int Level: YA
Vendor: Follet Titlewave
Tell Me Who You Are:
Sharing Our Stories of Race,
Culture, and Identity
Winona Guo, 2019
Vendor: Follet Titlewave
Gale OneFile: Diversity
Studies
THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Mrs. Cecelia Hirsch, Library Media Specialist
Where today’s students become tomorrow’s creators!
NON-PRINT RESOURCES
DESCRIPTION & JUSTIFICATION FORMAT COST
Microaggressions seem like such small things, but they often have a huge and negative Audiobook $15.99
impact emotionally and psychologically, even if that is not the intention of the speaker…
Some of these careless statements still linger and sting even after years. That's why we E-book $7.99
created this handbook for anti-racists… So many young people experience people saying (single-user
or doing things that seem harmless on the surface, but that stuck with them for days, access)
months, even years later! This book explains just what you are going through and how to
deal” – Publisher.
Justification: This is an important book to have in the collection and fits into the research
topic presented above. However, it is only available as an audio book and e-book. Since
the e-book is single-user access, meaning only 1 person can use it at a time, I wanted to
include an audiobook as well.
Features interviews with over 150 Americans accompanied by their photographs, the E-book $27.50
authors recount their experiences talking to people from all walks of life about race and (12 months)
identity on a cross-country tour of America. (single-user
Justification: Because it features a range of people from all over the US, it gives a very access)
diverse perspective on the topic and could provide the students different point of views
from which to look at. Since it is only available as an e-book, I propose purchasing the
single-user access for 12 months, then revisit this title when it expires.
Online database that explores cultural differences, contributions and influences in the Online $0.00
global community. This collection includes more than 2.7 million articles from 150 database
journals, updated daily.
Justification: Great research tool for this project and many others, especially as the
school is starting to integrate more DEI focused material into the curriculum. Provides
articles within a range or reading levels.
Access to this database is available free through NOVELNY.
LIS 585 • Collection Enhancement Proposal • 8
 THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Mrs. Cecelia Hirsch, Library Media Specialist
Where today’s students become tomorrow’s creators!

Gale OneFile: Psychology Online database that provides access to authoritative periodical content supporting Online $0.00
research in all fields of psychology. database
Justification: There are very few books that relate to the effects of discrimination and
prejudices on a person’s well-being. The students would benefit from access to a
psychology focused database that would feature relevant and reliable articles on this
topic. Provides articles within a range or reading levels.
Access to this database is available free through NOVELNY.
Learning for Justice From the website: Learning for Justice seeks to uphold the mission of the Southern Website $0.00
learningforjustice.org Poverty Law Center: to be a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in
partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional
movements and advance the human rights of all people.
Justification: Provides free access to articles, guides, lesson, videos, etc. that focus on
culture and climate, leadership, curriculum and instruction, and family and community
engagement. Their materials are only for educational use.
Requires a free membership to access all the materials available.
Bookshare Bookshare is an e-book library that makes reading easier for people with impairments like Website $0.00
bookshare.org dyslexia, blindness, and physical disabilities. It offers an extensive collection of titles in
audio, audio + highlighted text, braille, and other formats.
Justification: Bookshare helps support struggling readers with learning differences by
making books more accessible to them in a variety of formats. Many of the above books
can be found on this site and therefore supports differentiation in resources.
Bookshare requires a membership to access the book, however it is free for U.S. schools
that support students with qualifying disabilities.
Total for Non-Printed Resources $51.48

LIS 585 • Collection Enhancement Proposal • 9