A quick inventory of our primary school library catalogue shows that 99% of our resources are physical items located on our school site. While I am attempting to build links to online information through LearnPath and promote the benefits of our underused Britannica Kids subscription, I am well aware that in the pace of today’s information environment, so many of our resources are quickly losing relevance and appeal to our library users. Johnson (2009) makes the point that if patrons cannot readily connect with the information they need, invariably they leave the library to look elsewhere. And I suspect, that eventually they do not return. Even worse, failing to ensure the collection includes a broad variety of formats, actually denies students and teachers access to vital information. To me, this would amount to a failure in my role as a teacher librarian.
On pondering this thought I am left with a deeply uneasy feeling about how to rectify this situation. Where do I start? What is it that our school needs? What are our long term goals? Who do I have that will support me in developing a vision and a plan for achieving a collection that reflects our unique context? What resources will encourage more teachers and students to use the access the library more?
Many teachers at school have spoken about the decline in positive reading culture across the school, over the past decade. As a new and optimistic TL, my aim is for this not to translate to the feeling that our library has lost its relevance. Over the past 12 months, I have purchased books that reflect the interests and abilities of students and I have enjoyed seeing students become excited to reserve, borrow and exchange new items. However, developing the collection is a much bigger task than this. Expanding the collection to encompass a broader range of formats will require some careful consultation, serious budgeting and strategic planning. Further, I need to find out what is possible and what library trends other schools in my sector are embracing.
Could transforming the library space into a hybrid collection re-engage reluctant readers through ebooks and audiobooks? Could on-demand information push our high potential and gifted students to develop their various crafts? Could our low-literacy students become apt researchers who understand the ethics around referencing? Could instantaneously accessible and up to date digital non-fiction foster critical thinking and better citizens, who can extend their learning beyond school hours? I want to believe that the answer to these questions is yes.
Johnson (2009) referred to collection development a both a skill and an art. A decision making process that uses a framework of rigorous selection criteria, supported by the knowledge and intuition of the librarian (p. 108). Although I am daunted at where to start in developing our collection, Johnson’s (2009) description is a very encouraging description- because I can get better at both Science and Art, through learning and practice.
Johnson, P. (2009). Fundamentals of collection development and management. (2nd ed.). ALA Editions.