Date: 2017
Supervisor: Mairi Stewart, Head of Library
Format: in person
Time: 2 hrs
(3-4 hrs per week, at least 30 hours in total)
Organisers: Dromana Secondary College (DSC) Library
Level: Volunteer
Subject Area: Library collections and administration; resource preparation; student literacy and readers advisory, teacher collaboration
Objective: Experience and attainment of new skills in a high school library environment
Reason for attending: To determine consideration of Information Degree specialty in Children and Youth Services
What was learnt? Founded in a personal connection with storytelling over many years, and enhanced by conception of a library career, I have leant towards a focus on children and youth librarianship. As my daughter had attended DSC for several years, I had familiarity with the school environment and was comfortable in asking for volunteer opportunities to acquaint myself with procedures and processes in a school library setting.
Under Mairi’s supervision I gained confidence in shelf organisation and management, creation of new book displays, preparation (attaching item barcodes, property labeling and security strip insertion) and preservation (covering) of new texts for accession, access of teacher resources, readers advisory for students, and circulation and administration via Accessit Library Management System.
Relationship to work or study:
My experience at DSC enhanced my interest in children and youth library services and determined my information degree specialisation. Within my CSU studies comprehension of genres, formats and trends assisted my participation and enjoyment in INF205 Literature and Other Resources for Children and Young adults. Familiarity with procedures of management, patron service and advocacy, and collection accession and preservation in a school environment offered insight into INF329 Leadership in Library Services to children and Young Adults.
When seeking professional placement the addition of the volunteer hours at DCS in my resume presented an opportunity for work experience at Frankston High School Junior Resource Centre, culminating in an ongoing role at the school as a library assistant. Here I have embellished my proficiency as Young Adult’s librarian through augmentation of procedures and processes previously initiated at DSC, constant erudition of resources, systems and technology (including proficiency with the SmartSuite LMS), and self-erudition of student and faculty access improvement.
The YA readers advisory techniques learnt at DSC have founded a continued determination to provide quality diverse and personalised patron recommendations and services to youth in the public library environment.