Library Monthly Report May 2011

TECHNOLOGY:

Hillcrest High School Library now has a total of fifty-three computers for student usage; forty-two in the computer lab and eleven in the main area. Each student must have his/her own password log-in to use the computers.

One front desk computer has the Spectrum OPAC (online catalog). The library website ---www.hillcrestlibrary.org---- further serves to facilitate library lesson collaborations. Teachers submit web links to Ms. Spoljaric, the library web site master, and the links are made available to students through the library web site.

CIRCULATION

A total of 164 items were checked out of the library. Fiction was the dominant genre, totaling 106 items checked out. The next largest category of check-outs was the DVD category with eleven rentals. This was followed by biographies with eight check-outs.

Only five 700’s (graphic novel books) were borrowed in the month of May. This might be attributed to the numerous days of library closings due to testing.

OPEN ACCESS USE OF LIBRARY/VISITS

Teachers continued to make use of the library computer lab which now has forty-two computers. Students are instructed to use the online databases for research.

The English Department continued to meet once a week in the library to discuss its strategies in supporting the “top three/bottom three” students in each class.

The library was closed for three events in May 2011: (1) five days of NYS Component Retesting; (2) Public Service and Law Institute’s Town Hall Meeting and (3) an honor roll awards ceremony.

For the last two weeks of May, during periods 1-7, the librarians collaborated with the Assistant Principal of Data Analysis to register students onto Pupilpath---a website designed to give students and parents access to student’s grades, attendance, exam tracking and other aspects of academic performance. The registration of these students coincided with the use of the library computer lab for online testing with www.castlelearning.com. Castelearning.com is designed to enhance student knowledge and preparedness for the New York State Regents exams. Teachers from the Foreign Language Department brought their classes down to use the computer lab during various periods of the day for the last two weeks of May.

Periods 4, 5, 6 and 7 were very busy periods. During these busy periods---which includes lunch students, study hall students and students who were sent down to the library with passes----there was heavy usage of computers and printing. There was also continual activity of students working on projects, studying, reading, playing chess/checkers, and sitting in the “chill zone” area with friends. The normal count for these periods is 85-100 students each period. When classes were scheduled during these lunch periods, the library remained open for “Open Access.” The library count at those times went up to 120-150 students.

In May 2011, the library had 11,120 students, staff and faculty visit.

CONCERNS:

The printing in the library is of much concern. To discourage abuse of the printer and also to ensure that students are citing and evaluating their sources of information, the librarians instructed students to ask before printing and continually inspected documents before permitting printing.

The library Smartboard mounted on the wall is out of service.

When classes are scheduled in the library and only one librarian is on duty, the library must limit its open access.

The clutter, disorder and congested air problem in the storage room remain issues that need to be addressed.

Library Monthly Report April 2011

TECHNOLOGY:

New computers were added to the library computer lab, making a total of forty-two computers in that room. There are also eleven other computers available for students in the main area of the library. One front desk computer has the Spectrum OPAC (online catalog). The library website ---www.hillcrestlibrary.org---- further serves to facilitate library lesson collaborations. Teachers submit web links to Ms. Spoljaric, the library web site master, and the links are made available to students through the library web site.

The older model computers which were moved out to the main area and placed on elevated pods have been replaced with flat screen newer models sans towers. There are now two computers per pod. Each student must have his/her own password log-in to use the computers.

CIRCULATION

A total of 171 items were checked out of the library. Fiction was the dominant genre, totaling 118 items checked out. The next largest category was the 700’s totaling eleven items. This is a result of many graphic novel titles in our collection having the Dewey Decimal call number of “741.5”.

OPEN ACCESS/LIBRARYVISITS/LESSONS

The Smartboard technology that is prominently displayed in the main area is out of order. As a result, some teachers have made use of Smartboards in other classrooms.

The Hillcrest High School Technology team is working on a solution to the library Smartboard problem.

More and more teachers are making appointments to use the library computer lab, which now has forty-two computers. Students are instructed to use the online databases for research. The librarians collaborated with four Social Studies teachers, two English teachers, three Instructional Support teachers and two science teachers, and two Health Careers teachers to co-create lessons in the library. These lessons integrated technology, taught research skills and increased book circulation. Sample lessons included plagiarism, STDs, terrorism and Vietnam.

At the end of April, The English Department began meeting once a week in the library in accordance with Hillcrest’s mission to support the “top three/bottom three in each class,

Periods 4, 5, 6 and 7 remain very busy periods. During these busy lunch periods, students read, study, play chess/checkers, and sit in the “chill zone” area with friends. The normal count for these periods is 85-100 students each period. When classes are scheduled during these lunch periods, the library remains open for “Open Access”. The library count climbs up to 120-150 students.

In the month of April 2011, The NYC Department of Education had an eleven day Spring Recess. The library count for the month was 7425 students, staff and faculty.

CONCERNS:

When classes are scheduled in the library and only one librarian is on duty, the library must limit its open access.

The clutter and disorder and congested air problem in the library storage room remain issues that need to be addressed.