This week's assignment really worked well with what has been happening at our school library over the current school year.
Last year, the Middle school library media specialist was asked to take on an important assignment. Even though the middle school and high school libraries had been automated, the 5 elementary schools in town were still using card catalogs. The 2007-2008 budget was approved with a provision to automate the elementary schools but the LMS for the elementary schools had been dealing with a long-term chronic illness. She was unable to complete the inventory and paperwork required to complete the contract in the allotted time. The School committee was concerned about losing the contract with Follett, so Mrs. LaFlamme was asked to step in.
It was an arduous task, the elementary LMS had not inventoried any of the elementary schools in a number of years. Hundreds of books donated by parents were literally stuffed under desks in the school's libraries. Most of the libraries were run by paraprofessionals. They were often taken away from thier library duties to be classroom aides, secretaries, and playground or hall monitors. The card catalogs were submitted to Follett for computer cataloging but it took weeks to sift through them, removing the out-of-date cards and damaged books from the inventory . The elemenraty library media specialist passed away in November. Finally, the cards were submitted to Follett, but.... 48,000 barcodes takes a while to add!
The original RetoFit proposal included the option to upgrade the High School and Middle school library's our current operating software, Spectrum to Destiny. It seems logical to have all schools running on the same system. Unfortunately, with the current budget, it's unlikely the school committee will authorize budget approval for the upgrades for the 2009-2010 school year. But the class assignment led to many conversations between the Middle school library media specialist and myself about automation, OPAC options, writing proposals, and cataloging. We are both at least satisfied that our elementary schools are on-line.
For the elementary school libraries, the new Destiny system is a wonderful addition. Students can choose books easier using the computer catalog. Printing reports, statistics and inventory lists are amazingly quicker for the new Library Media Speciaist. The Destiny system is kid-friendly; having online access will help with school work for families and educators. Adding Destiny to the elementary libraries will prepare the young children for the researching skills that will help them throughout their educational career.
