Reflection
The
program assessment of the library was created to collect input from
stakeholders about the current collection.
After assessing my
program using AASL’s School Library Program Assessment Rubric, I chose to
survey teachers and students about the collection and information access as
well as outreach efforts. After serving as a media specialist for four years, I
wanted to get their perspective on the diversity of the collection, variety of
reading levels, curriculum support, and the adequacy of the collection. I also wanted their viewpoint on how well I
communicate with the school community. Most of the respondents felt that I
shared information regularly and in many different ways. Information could be
found on the school library website, in the monthly newsletter, on the
electronic bulletin board and heard on the morning announcements.
The surveys created were sent electronically so that the data could be
collected electronically.
Surveys are a nonthreatening way to collect data to inform your decision making. It allows stakeholders to share their thoughts anonymously. There were different types of questions such as checklist, multiple choice, and open-ended to collect responses. Teachers and students shared their opinion about the diversity of the collection. Most respondents thought that the variety of reading levels and books to support the curriculum were sufficient. The areas for improvement included adding more books about culture, purchasing books with characters that reflect our multicultural population, enough books so friends can check out books from the same series and informing students about books in different formats. As I create my order for the coming year, I actively search for more books that reflect the many cultures attending our school and I will add more books from the popular series so that students can read in small groups with friends.
I thought the survey was eye opening. Students shared in the open-ended section of the survey how much they enjoyed the media center. While surveys allow respondents to remain anonymous so they can “tell the truth” freely, it also means I will not be able to ask for clarification or the reasoning behind their answers. One change I would make would be allowing respondents to sign their name as an option. I set two goals as a result of this survey. One goal is to make sure that teachers and students are aware of the different book formats available in the media center. The second goal is to increase the number of books that accurately reflect the cultures represented in the student body. I hope to survey the school community regularly so that they feel that their input is important. I want them to know I am making effective use of the data and information to assess how the library program addresses the needs of our diverse school population.
Surveys are a nonthreatening way to collect data to inform your decision making. It allows stakeholders to share their thoughts anonymously. There were different types of questions such as checklist, multiple choice, and open-ended to collect responses. Teachers and students shared their opinion about the diversity of the collection. Most respondents thought that the variety of reading levels and books to support the curriculum were sufficient. The areas for improvement included adding more books about culture, purchasing books with characters that reflect our multicultural population, enough books so friends can check out books from the same series and informing students about books in different formats. As I create my order for the coming year, I actively search for more books that reflect the many cultures attending our school and I will add more books from the popular series so that students can read in small groups with friends.
I thought the survey was eye opening. Students shared in the open-ended section of the survey how much they enjoyed the media center. While surveys allow respondents to remain anonymous so they can “tell the truth” freely, it also means I will not be able to ask for clarification or the reasoning behind their answers. One change I would make would be allowing respondents to sign their name as an option. I set two goals as a result of this survey. One goal is to make sure that teachers and students are aware of the different book formats available in the media center. The second goal is to increase the number of books that accurately reflect the cultures represented in the student body. I hope to survey the school community regularly so that they feel that their input is important. I want them to know I am making effective use of the data and information to assess how the library program addresses the needs of our diverse school population.
This website was designed by Gina Deal. Comments can sent to [email protected].This page was last updated May 2015.
The images on these pages were photographed by Gina Deal unless otherwise cited. Word clouds created at wordle.net or tagxedo.com.
The images on these pages were photographed by Gina Deal unless otherwise cited. Word clouds created at wordle.net or tagxedo.com.