Annual Report

Of the Learning Center

June 2011

Submitted by

Kathy Lawrence

CCSU Library Mission Think Create Share Grow

The mission of CCSU libraries is to create inviting learning environments that inspire and honor curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. In partnership with students and staff, we support and recognize reading as the foundation for

students to become skilled in multiple literacies. We strive to ensure that students become successful lifelong learners.

Vision

Given our stated mission, we envision:

That weekly whole-class visits are used to expand upon

classroom instruction and learn about and through books of many kinds.

That students have access to a diverse collection of

information and literature in both print and online environments.

That students can explore technology tools to create

digital products that reflect their learning.

That the library program is fully integrated with the curriculum and that there is ongoing dialogue between classroom teachers and the librarian.

That the library offers a supportive environment for

readers of all ages.

Our Staff

Fast facts The Learning Center services over 225 students and 45 staff members

13 classes per week come to the Learning Center

An average of 45 students a week visit the library outside of their

scheduled class time.

There are approximately 10,000 volumes in our collection

Circulation of materials averages about 15,000 items per year

7 public computer workstations are available to students, staff, and

community members

Monthly reports can be accessed in this livebinder using the key: LC

#of visits to library webpage: 293

Facility Use

During the school year the library space is used for many

purposes, including:

Small group work with teaching assistants

Big/little program time Small group work with kindergarteners for reading

Assessments Team meetings After-school workshops

and trainings PTO meeting childcare space

Volunteers

Jeanne and Linda were a tremendous help to us this year.

We rely on them for help with shelving, copying, bulletin boards, preparing for inventory, and other small but necessary tasks that keep the library functioning smoothly.

Partnerships and Connections

This year I have met twice a month before

school with the Summit Street librarian to work on a

curriculum map for library classes and to plan more collaborative projects

for next year.

The Learning Center maintains a strong

connection with the PTO. PTO members have assisted with the book fair and have pledged their support for an emergent

reader program next year.

Connections with our parents are

critical. The Learning Center communicates

through our webpage, our parent blog, and

our monthly Third Thursday meetings.

Program Highlights

September “Tech Tuesdays” were begun to provide professional

development to staff members around technology integration Brownies and browsing held for staff to preview new books for

2010-11 October

Began working with a small group of kindergarteners for extra

support two days a week (this continued all year) November

Weekly library “job” established for child in need of positive behavioral support (continued throughout school

year) Guided research with one third grade class

December Guided research for Native Americans unit of study

with all three third grade classes Scholastic Book Fair held

January “Reading is an Investment” pilot program (grade 2) begun on

financial literacy Assisted with mini-lessons in one second grade class

Recorded narration for two classroom projects (grade 2 and

grade 3) February

A record high (67 families) registered for our tenth annual Family Reading Night

March Author visit with Lita Judge

Data and photos collected for Vermont Library Snapshot Day Integrated Arts Sharing Night (grade 2)

April

Integrated Arts Sharing Night (grade 3)

Subscription to Tumblebooks (ebooks) begun; Total full book views to date: 1054

May

“Guys Read” book group organized and implemented Presentation at PTO for emergent reader program

June 10th annual book swap

scheduled/held Presentation of summer reading

opportunities at Brownell Library by Mary Graf

Inventory scheduled to be completed by June 21, 2011

Service and Publications

Co-representative for Northwest II region for Vermont School

Librarians Association

Board member Vermont School Librarians Association

Co-coordinator of the PATH to Wellness program

Member of the MAPELCWL Hiawatha team

Member of the Kindergarten team 2010-11

Member of Hiawatha’s technology team

Author of library blog for parents:

www.heslc.wordpress.com (831 views as of 6/12/11)

Author of professional blog for fellow librarians:

www.buchlady.wordpress.com

(2411 views as of 6/12/11)

Quoted in December issue of Library Sparks in article about book swaps

Committee member for planning of the Dynamic Landscapes conference

Committee member for the planning of Vermont’s first Library Snapshot Day

Professional Development

This past year I shared representation of the

CCSU librarians with Philip Crawford in the

CVEDC digital storytelling series with Bernajean

Porter.

I participated in three online webinars in the

evening sponsored by edmodo.com and

TeachersFirst.com.

I made one half-day visitation to

Chamberlin School to observe the

librarian there.

I attended one day of the two day Dynamic

Landscapes conference in May.

I attended monthly meetings with the CCSU

district librarians. This year we worked with

Judy Kaplan, UVM coordinator of the Library

Media Studies sequence on two occasions. Judy

helped us to frame our efforts to assess our

programs and develop a vision and goals for the

future.

I continue to grow professionally by reading and

following a number of blogs on a daily basis, 33

in all. (12 for ed tech, 7 for children’s literature,

10 for librarianship, and 4 for SMART board

resources.)

Tech Integration Projects

Photostory created with 2

students: “Being Kind at Hiawatha”

Photostory about unit of

study on trees created for Mrs. Peet

Photostory about food service created for kindergarten teachers for use at kindergarten screening/registration

Glogster created for Ms. Ouellette’s unit of study of native people of the Champlain Valley Basin

Photopeach (digital story) about a topic of interest

(alligators) created with one student from 3rd grade

Future Directions/Next Steps

Continue to collaborate with librarian

colleagues in the district and outside

of the district (Essex Town in

particular is interested in working

with us)

Capture time with classroom

teachers to more effectively

collaborate. A new model for

Monday staff and team meeting time

might help here.

Use curriculum maps with each

grade level team as a starting

place for collaborative projects

Continue with development and

implementation of a K-1

emergent reader program,

beginning October 2011

Find ways to communicate the

mission and vision of the library

Continue to reach out to families

Teach the Destiny QUEST feature to third graders

next year as an alternative to Destiny basic