New Tech:
Today the two donated Apple computers were installed along with the scanner. A printer and a second scanner are on order. The computers will access Follet Destiny, the cloud-based cataloging system. Bruce K. from the Friends of Nebinger School Library sucessfully accessed and downloaded the previous catalog of Nebinger Library holdings. Part of the cataloging project will be to verify if those holdings still exist.
I also met with Debbie S. (also of Friends of Nebinger School Library), she shared with me the notes from her meeting yesterday with Nadine, the principal. Debbie gave me a clearer picture of the plans for the library layout and decor, based on proposed library usage. The initial thrust will be to introduce the older students to the library, then gradually build in the younger grades.
Storage:
1. Debbie showed me the two closets for storage, one has some classroom sets in it, one has a variety of items, some items for donation, some additional non-fiction holdings and some office supplies. There is also an enclosed metal shelving cabinet that also houses some classroom sets. The criteria for a complete classroom set of a particular title is approximately 25-30 copies of a title. The classroom sets are not being used at this time, teachers indicate that they have sufficient supplies on hand in their classrooms. Abby, a member of the Home and School Association has indicated that her husband is a carpenter. Debbie S. is going to ask if he will make shelves in the two closets for housing the classroom sets.
2. There are two long storage closets at either end of the library space. They hold classroom supplies for the teachers.This will continue to be the way they are used.
3. There is a small closet used for refreshment supplies for the various meetings that are held in the space.
4. Two small bookcarts are on order for book returns. A determination wsa made that the book return bin leads to damaged books, so that will be re-purposed for other needs, perhaps housing donation books awaiting cataloging, perhaps makerspace supplies.
Layout:
1. Meeting space/Non-Fiction/Reference holdings: The non-fiction shelving runs the perimeter of one-half of the space. The space has three white boards and a video projection unit on one wall. The main portion of the floor space is taken up by two rows of three tables with seating. This will continue to be the way the space is set up as these tables and seating are used regularly for a variety of functions: staff meetings, open houses, conferences, etc. It is acceptable that the reference and non-fiction shelving be on the perimeter of this area. The one change is that the photocopier will be moved from the Early Reader section to a corner of the perimeter of the non-fiction section.
2. The other half of the library space is divided into three sections: Early, Middle and Older (Teen/YA) fiction collections.
A. Early Readers (Grades K-2): Debbie S. has ordered a carpet and seating for the Early Reader section. The rule of thumb is that it should be able to house a maximum of 30 small students (one full class) for a story time. She has also ordered a display case (dimensions to follow). There are also two chairs on order for the Circulation desk, both swivel and are height-adjustable. This section is defined on two sides by 3-shelf bookcases flanking a set of 2 two-shelf bookcases.
B. Middle Readers (Grades 3-5): This space will be 6 feet wide to accomodate the carpet and seating that has been ordered. This section is ringed on three sides by 7 three-shelf bookcases: 2 parallel rows of four bookcases flanking a row of three bookcases.
C. Older Readers (Grades 6-8): This section is the narrowest. No seating has been ordered as yet. There is an expectation that these students will most likely bring their reading selections over to the tables and seating already available on the other side of the room, for their reading time.This section has four three-shelf bookcases at this time.
Collection:
Non-fiction: The non-fiction collection is acceptable at this time. (See previous entries for greater detail.)
Fiction: The fiction assessment will occur as the shelf-reading and cataloging progress. But at this time it is already clear that the area that needs the most attention is the Grades 6-8 section. The six shelving units in that section primarily housed classroom reading sets as well as two bookcases of non-fiction (the 398s) and two bookcases of other non-fiction (400-900s). These books have been moved out to their respective sections.Two bookshelves were moved into non-fiction to accomodate space needs in that section. The entire Grade 6-8 reading collection takes up approximately two shelves at this time. Since this is the group that is targeted for intial introduction to the re-opened library, it is in dire need of appropriate reading material. It may be possible to move some books over from the Middle Reader section - a brief scan saw some potential titles for re-location.
Future Plans:
1. Some teachers have indicated a willingness to staff an afterschool library club, once the library is re-opened. Some potential activites for that club may include re-shelving books, reading time, perhaps even makerspace activities.
2. There is a plan for purchasing 6 chromebooks for student use. There needs to be a plan for securing them, when not in use. Bruce K. is researching which Chromebook models are compatible with the Follett Destiny system.
3. The third PC at the circulation desk is Windows based. It is active. Nadine, the principal, is looking into getting the password to gain access. It could potentially be a public/student-use PC for searching the catalog.
