Putnam-Westchester BOCES SLS | ||
FIVE-YEAR LIBRARY SYSTEM PLAN OF SERVICE (School Library Systems) | ||
SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION | ||
| July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2011 | ||
| 1.1 | Name of System | Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System |
| 1.2 | Street Address | 200 BOCES Drive |
| 1.3 | City | Yorktown Heights |
| 1.4 | Zip Code | 10598 |
| 1.5 | Four Digit Zip Code Extension (enter N/A if unknown) | 4321 |
| 1.6 | Telephone Number (enter 10 digits only) | (914) 248-2391 |
| 1.7 | Fax Number (enter 10 digits only) | (914) 248-2419 |
| 1.8 | E-Mail Address of the System Director | jmonahan@pnwboces.org |
| 1.9 | System Home Page URL | http://www.pnwboces.org/library/default.htm |
| 1.10 | Date of Establishment | 7/1/1985 |
| 1.13 | Square Mileage of System Service Area | 523 |
| 1.14 | Population of System Service Area | N/A |
| 1.15 | Type of System | SLS |
SECTION 2 - SYSTEM GOVERNANCE | ||
| BYLAWS | ||
| 2.1 | URL of Current Governing Bylaws | http://www.pnwboces.org/LIBRARY/DEFAULT.HTM |
| APPOINTMENT/ELECTION OF BOARD/COUNCIL | ||
| 2.2 | Board/Council Appointment/Election - Indicate whether the Board/Council Members are appointed or elected (select one). | Appointed |
| 2.3 | Indicate by whom the Board/Council Members are appointed/elected. | Response has been entered |
| ADVISORY GROUPS 2.4 Advisory Groups - Indicate the groups that advise the Board/Council. (check all that apply): | ||
| a. | Director’s Advisory Council | 0 |
| b. | Member Advisory Council | 0 |
| f. | Co-ser Advisory Committee | 0 |
| g. | Other (specify using the State note) | 0 |
SECTION 3 - MEMBER SERVICES | ||
| LIST OF MEMBERS | ||
| 3.1 | URL of Current List of Members | http://www.pnwboces.org/library/schoolsbydistrict.htm |
| 3.4 | Does the school library system provide different levels of service to its member libraries? Indicate Y for Yes, N for No. If Yes, complete one repeating group for each level of service. Identify the level and describe the service(s) provided at that level. BOCES-based school library systems should include administered cooperative services plans (Co-sers). If No, enter N/A. | Y |
| 1. | Level of Service and Service(s) Provided | Response has been entered |
SECTION 4 - PLANNING | ||
| NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN | ||
| 4.1 | Describe the process used to assess member needs in the development of the system’s Plan of Service. | Response has been entered |
| 4.2 | Identify the groups involved in development of the Plan of Service and each group’s role. | Response has been entered |
| 4.6 | URL of the system's Member Plan (2006-2011) | http://www.pnwboces.org/LIBRARY/Planofservice.htm |
| APPROVAL OF THE PLAN | ||
| 4.7 | Briefly describe the process for approval of the Plan of Service. School library systems must include the Council’s role in the approval. | Response has been entered |
| EVALUATION | ||
| 4.8 | Briefly describe the information that will be collected to evaluate whether or not the system achieved the intended results of the plan. | Response has been entered |
| 4.9 | Briefly describe the methods that will be used to determine whether the system’s customers were satisfied with the system’s services. | Response has been entered |
| 4.10 | Briefly describe how the information on customer satisfaction will be used to shape the system’s plan in the next year or in the following planning cycle. | Response has been entered |
| REVISION PROCESS | ||
| 4.11 | Briefly describe the process for revising the system’s Plan of Service for submission to the New York Education Department/New York State Library. | Response has been entered |
SECTION 5 - GOALS/RESULTS | ||
| 5.1 | The Library System’s Mission Statement (see instructions for definition) | Response has been entered |
| Minimum Requirement for questions 5.2 though 5.23 - complete one repeating group for each topic of every element. 5.2 Element I – RESOURCE SHARING Cooperative Collection Development | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.3 Element I - RESOURCE SHARING Delivery | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.4 Element I - RESOURCE SHARING Interlibrary Loan | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.5 Element I - RESOURCE SHARING Other (optional) | ||
| 1. | Topic | Response has been entered |
| 2. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 3a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 3b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 3c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 3d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 3e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 4. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.6 Element 2 - TECHNOLOGY SERVICES Union Catalog | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.7 Element 2 - TECHNOLOGY SERVICES Union List of Serials | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.8 Element 2 - TECHNOLOGY SERVICES Integrated Library System | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.9 Element 2 - TECHNOLOGY SERVICES Other (Optional) | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.10 Element 3 - SPECIAL CLIENT GROUPS | ||
| 1. | Topic | Response has been entered |
| 2. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 3a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 3b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 3c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 3d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 3e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 4. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.11 Element 4 - CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.12 Element 5 - CONSULTING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.13 Element 6 - COORDINATED SERVICES | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.14 Element 7 - AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.15 Element 8 - COMMUNICATIONS AMONG MEMBER LIBRARIES Describe communications among members (school districts and non-public schools) and participants (buildings), and the role of liaisons/communication coordinators | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| Element 8 - COMMUNICATIONS AMONG MEMBER LIBRARIES | ||
| 5.16 | Provide the URL for the Member Plan | http://www.pnwboces.org/library/SchoolMemberPlan&Report.htm |
| 5.17 Element 9 - COOPERATIVE EFFORTS WITH OTHER LIBRARY SYSTEMS | ||
| 1. | Goal Statement | Response has been entered |
| 2a. | Year 1 | 1 |
| 2b. | Year 2 | 1 |
| 2c. | Year 3 | 1 |
| 2d. | Year 4 | 1 |
| 2e. | Year 5 | 1 |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) | Response has been entered |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) | Response has been entered |
| 5.18 Element 10 - OTHER (Optional) - If there are other elements in the System’s Plan of Service not listed above, complete one repeating group for each element. | ||
| 1. | Element | |
| 2. | Topic | |
| 3. | Goal Statement | |
| 4a. | Year 1 | 0 |
| 4b. | Year 2 | 0 |
| 4c. | Year 3 | 0 |
| 4d. | Year 4 | 0 |
| 4e. | Year 5 | 0 |
| 5. | Intended Result(s) | |
| 6. | Evaluation Method(s) | |
| ASSURANCE | ||
| 5.19 | The Library System's Plan of Service was developed in accordance with provisions of Education Law and the Regulations of the Commissioner and the requirements of the New York State Education Department/New York State Library, and was reviewed and approved by the Library System Board/Council on (date - mm/dd/yyy) | 04/27/06 |
| APPROVAL | ||
| 5.20 | The Library System’s Plan of Service was reviewed and approved by the New York State Library on (date – mm/dd/yyyy) | |
| 2.3 | Indicate by whom the Board/Council Members are appointed/elected. |
| The Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System Library Council has a commitment to strive to achieve a balanced membership that will consider such factors as geography, size, demographics and grade levels served. The Council membership shall not exceed (15) individuals. Of these,nine members must be school library media specialists from the following: (3)high school,(3)middle school and (3)elementary school. Remaining members may be chosen from a variety of groups as outlined in Article II Section 1 of the present By-laws.
The Council Chair appoints a three person Nominating Committee at the early spring Council meeting. The Committee must be comprised of at least two members of the current Council. The Committee will bring its slate to the Council at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting. The approved slate of candidates will be forwarded to the Board of Education of BOCES for its approval and appointment. |
| 1. | Level of Service and Service(s) Provided |
| Level of service through School Library System participation:
. library network meetings for both K-6, the middle-secondary network and in September and June the K-12 group staff development meetings . basic inter-library loan services within the System and the immediate region . technical services provided to school librarians and their staff members . information searches . consulting on best practices on library media programs . advise library media specialists on technical questions in all areas of teaching and learning . provide guidance to district administrators on all aspects of quality library media programs . highlight important program information as recommended by the Office of Library Development and promote and communicate significant research studies that enhance library media programs . inform library media specialists on advocacy efforts on behalf of libraries and library systems in New York State
Level of service through BOCES Cooperative Services that are fee based:
. professional library information service . media services . A/V repair service . electronic database services . copy center services
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| 4.1 | Describe the process used to assess member needs in the development of the system’s Plan of Service. |
| Needs assessment is an on-going process that takes place throughout the year. We survey members both formally and informally in many different venues to assess needs, discuss options, and plan solutions. Venues include each district's Member Plan of Service, questions addressed via the Listserv, online surveys via Zoomerang and Survey Monkey. Working closely with the School Library System Council, the School Library System Liaisons, and the School Library System Director, a sub-committee of the Council drafts the System’s Plan of Service for review by System members and the Library System Council. Ultimately, the Council approves the final Plan. | |
| 4.2 | Identify the groups involved in development of the Plan of Service and each group’s role. |
| The following are instrumental in identifying needs for the development of the the Systems’ Plan of Service: . Welcome Back Library Media Specialist Meeting in September • Elementary and Secondary Library Media Specialist Networking meetings (attended by more than half the membership) • Liason meetings (attended by representatives from each district) • School Library System Library Council meetings and Council sub-committee meetings • School Library System Listserv • In-district visitations and telephone consultations by School Library System Director • End-of-year Breakfast Meeting • Leadership Forum (full-day staff development program) . School Library System sponsored trainings scheduled throughout the school year •Informal gatherings and dinners.
In addition, all districts and every school member completed a Member Plan of Service in 2004-2005 which included a needs assessment.
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| 4.7 | Briefly describe the process for approval of the Plan of Service. School library systems must include the Council’s role in the approval. |
| A draft of the Plan of Service, developed by a sub-committee of the School Library System and the Director, is available to all system members via the SLS Home Page and Listserv. Members will be encouraged to review the System Plan of Service and to offer input. The sub-committee will prepare the revised plan. This will then be discussed at the System Council Meeting. At this meeting final revisions will be made and the System Plan of Service will be completed and sent to the Office of Library Development at the New York State Education Department. | |
| 4.8 | Briefly describe the information that will be collected to evaluate whether or not the system achieved the intended results of the plan. |
| Information to be collected includes written workshop evaluations and informal evaluations as a result of discussions in networking, liaison, and library council meetings.
All member Library Media Specialists complete the Annual Evaluation. It is revised each year. The 2004-05 Evaluation asked for information on the following: frequency of use and turnaround time of interlibrary loan; use of the SLS Directory; effectiveness of distribution of SLS materials among members; effectiveness of communication between the SLS office and members; usefulness of the Elementary and Secondary Networking Meetings; awareness of the SLS services in the member schools and what strategies the members use to publicize the services; items that the members feel impede their use of the SLS services (i.e. no photocopier, fax machine or phone in the LMC; lack of administrative support, staff, time or knowledge of the services); what types of staff development should the SLS offer; whether members would be willing to offer mini-workshops; whether the Leadership Forum sponsored by the SLS was useful; how often members have used the SLS Online Union Catalog. |
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| 4.9 | Briefly describe the methods that will be used to determine whether the system’s customers were satisfied with the system’s services. |
| 1. All School Library System workshops and programs conclude with a written evaluation with opportunities for participants to provide feedback. 2. All Liaison and Library Network Meetings feature an agenda item that elicits suggestions and identifies emerging needs of library media specialist members. 3. The annual "End-of-Year Breakfast Meeting" provides librarians with an opportunity to meet in focus groups to review School Library System programs and services and to identify items to bring before the SLS Council. 4. The Director revises the School Library System Annual Evaluation instrument every year. All library media specialists are encouraged to complete the evaluation. 5. Increasingly, the School Library System is using online survey tools such as Zoomerang and Survey Monkey to assess satisfaction, performance and needs.
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| 4.10 | Briefly describe how the information on customer satisfaction will be used to shape the system’s plan in the next year or in the following planning cycle. |
| Members of the School Library System Library Council and the Director analyze results of the Annual System Evaluation, online survey results, postings/questions raised on the System Listserv, workshop evaluations, and informal discussions. Based on these, long and short-term goals are refined/defined for our System’s Plan of Service. Steps are then taken to meet these goals.
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| 4.11 | Briefly describe the process for revising the system’s Plan of Service for submission to the New York Education Department/New York State Library. |
| The School Library System Director in collaboration with the district liaisons and the SLS Library Council assesses the Plan of Service on an annual basis. In the March Library Council meeting the success of the plan of service for that year is reviewed and evaluated. Upon completion of the evaluation the Council in collaboration with the SLS Director determines if the plan needs to be revisited and amended to address SLS service needs for the ensuing year.
During the last annual meeting of the Library Council in April, proposed amendments to the plan of service are presented to the members of the Library System Council. [The proposed amendment(s) are part of the public notice of the meeting and are included in announcements of the meeting received by all members of the school library system.] Amendment(s) are discussed; Council members vote. Upon approval, the revised plan is submitted to the Office of Library Development for approval. Upon approval by the State Education Department, the Plan of Service revision is submitted to the Putnam Northern Westchester Board of Education for adoption. |
| 5.1 | The Library System’s Mission Statement (see instructions for definition) |
| The Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System is dedicated to the professional development of library media specialists and to the promotion and improvement of library media and information sharing services and to providing learning opportunities for all School Library System members and the districts they represent. The Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System’s commitment to excellence is deeply rooted in the core values and principles of Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998) and in recent research studies on best practices in Library Media Center programs. The School Library System will locate, identify and continue to promote among all library media specialists, the timely and key essential research studies of Keith Curry Lance, Ross Todd, David Loertscher and others who have produced empirical findings proving the value of school library programs in support of student achievement. The SLSA Advocacy Tool-Kit, relevant studies from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and essential information from the Office of Library Development are all important resource tools in support of this commitment to member development.
The School Library System’s Plan of Service supports the following major areas: • Teaching and learning . Literature appreciation/love of reading • Access to information in all formats • Partnering and collaborating with teacher and library media specialist colleagues • Curriculum Development and Instructional Design • LMC program administration
The School Library System Plan of Service specifies staff development opportunities that address these major areas. Above all, the System’s mission is to help school library media specialists produce students who are information literate, research savvy, and prepared for life after high school.
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| 1. | Goal Statement |
| 1. The Professional Library currently located at BOCES is the focus for collection development in our System. In addition to the holdings of the School Library System, the Professional Library collection includes volumes and multimedia related to teaching and learning and serves our schools in meeting professional development and research needs. The collection has grown by 50% in the past five years and the goal is to maintain a degree of significant growth to meet the ever evolving instructional needs of an enriched curriculum. We are committed to encouraging the use of Professional Library resources by all member districts.
2. The Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System promotes Cooperative Collection Development (CCD) in the interest of sharing information resources among the 95 school library system members. A CCD Plan is a core component of the School Library System.
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| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| 1. The Director will continue to purchase professional resources to meet identified needs of faculty in component districts and as a result, the collection will continue to grow. Through easy access to the online catalog, the member schools will make greater use of the Professional Library. Circulation of library materials will increase as a result.
2. A CCD Committee will revise the existing CCD Plan during 2006-07. Library media specialists will be asked to participate in a system-wide survey to collect data to update and identify present areas of strength and uniqueness in each respective library collection.
The School Library System Director will work with the members of the CCD Committee to review the collected data and make recommendations if needed to enhance the present CCD Plan. The updated CCD Plan will be reviewed annually in April through the five-year plan ending in 2011. |
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| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| 1. The SLS Director will maintain circulation statistics and records of requested materials. These records will be shared yearly with SLS Council for analysis and review.
2. The Cooperative Collection Development Committee reports to the School Library System Council on a regular basis. The School Library System solicits feedback from member libraries on usage and participation issues. The School Library System records and reports statistical data for circulation, ILL, and participation of member libraries. |
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| 1. | Goal Statement |
| Our goal is to deliver materials in a consistent and timely manner to insure a better quality resource sharing process. | |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| The 2005 System Evaluation completed by Library Media Specialists showed that 75% rated the delivery system as excellent; 25% rated it as good. Our intended result is to continue this high level of service. | |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| The annual System Evaluation form will include the statement: Distribution of School Library System materials is Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor. Results of the System evaluation will be analyzed and reviewed by members of the SLS Council. | |
| 1. | Goal Statement |
| Interlibrary cooperation provides many opportunities for resource sharing. It is used by member districts as a source of cooperative collection sharing. A goal of our System is to provide easier access by using the System's online Union Catalog that is made available through the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES web site. Members will also be encouraged to use the System's Listserv for point-to-point ILL. | |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| The results will be increased communication and sharing of materials throughout the System. | |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| Evaluation will take place in June when Library Media Specialists complete the interlibrary loan data form provided by the System Director. The completed forms include statistics relating to SLS-facilitated interlibrary loans and point-to-point interlibrary loans conducted independently. This information will be shared with the SLS Council members for analysis and review. | |
| 1. | Topic |
| Expanding Resources Through Databases. | |
| 2. | Goal Statement |
| The School Library System consistently promotes resource sharing, beginning with free resources available through the New York State Library (e.g., Novel databases). This is done through frequent communications via the System’s Listserv, networking meetings, mailings, and individual consultations with the System Director. | |
| 4. | Intended Result(s) |
| This on-going initiative will increase the number of databases in all member school libraries. | |
| 5. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| The System Director obtains records of the databases each school library receives. The Director then contacts libraries who are not taking advantage of State resources to encourage them to do so.
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| 1. | Goal Statement |
| A goal of the SLS is to continue to improve the Union Catalog by adding the updated collections of member libraries. | |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| As a result of the updated holdings, member libraries will use the Union Catalog more frequently to facilitate interlibrary loan. | |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| Evaluation will take place in June when Library Media Specialists complete the Interlibrary Loan Data Form provided by the System Director. The completed forms include statistics relating to SLS-facilitated interlibrary loans and point-to-point interlibrary loans conducted independently. This information will be shared with the SLS Council members for analysis and review. | |
| 1. | Goal Statement |
| This SLS has maintained a Union List of Serials for a number of years. Recent advances in technology and an increasing number of databases used in our System's libraries has mitigated against continuing this print document. Instead, we plan to develop a Union List of Databases. | |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| As a result of this Union List of Databases, there will be an increased use of resource sharing. The Union List of Databases will be available on the SLS website and library media specialists will then have two options to obtain materials: informal point-to-point via the Listserv and formal requests through the School Library System. | |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| End of the year statistics collected by the School Library System Director will indicate that the decision to move from a Union List of Serials to a Union List of Databases resulted in increased sharing. | |
| 1. | Goal Statement |
| Several school libraries in our System were among the first in NYS to be automated twenty years ago. The rest of the libraries followed in succeeding years. We are now at the point where some libraries have taken the next step in providing 24/7 access via the Internet to their catalogs as well as to their online subscription databases.
Our goal over the next five years is to facilitate all of our libraries in achieving 24/7 access. Furthermore, as “true” Integrated Library Systems become available to the school market at a reasonable price, the SLS will assist those districts ready to take this next step.
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| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| As a result of offering 24/7 access via the Internet to their catalogs as well as to their online subscription databases, our school library media centers will offer their users improved access to information resources. | |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| Through Mandarin and Follett user meetings and the end-of-year evaluation completed by all school library media specialists, the SLS will be able to evaluate the use of these new systems through informal discussions and formal online surveys. | |
| 1. | Goal Statement |
| Our SLS Listserv has been in existence for many years. All members of the School Library System are registered on the Listserv. At this point, 70 percent of school library media specialists use this Listserv regularly for communication (e.g., announcements of local programs available to all), questions (e.g., recommended authors), ILL requests, and more. Because this has been such a successful tool for building community among our library media specialists, our goal is to increase participation to 100 percent. | |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| With 100% member participation in the SLS Listserv, there will be increased attendance at networking meetings, workshops, and SLS events such as the Partnership Dinner. This will result in a greater sense of community among members of our SLS. | |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| Evaluation tools will include Listserv statistics, informal discussions, SLS attendance records, and the end-of-year SLS evaluation. | |
| 1. | Topic |
| Library services for students at risk. | |
| 2. | Goal Statement |
| The School Library System members believe that there is an increasing need to provide both print and non-print resources for at-risk students and for students experiencing problems emanating from a myriad of issues. | |
| 4. | Intended Result(s) |
| The School Library System will coordinate with the BOCES Guidance Center, the Hudson River Teacher Center, the Northern Westchester Putnam Teacher Center, and local mental health services to establish a process for expanding resources to the school districts of Putnam/Northern Westchester.
A committee will be established to identify multimedia resources and assess their age-appropriate usefulness for addressing identified areas of need for at-risk students. |
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| 5. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| Representatives of the School Library System, the BOCES Guidance Center, and both teacher organizations will meet to assess resources and measure how they were useful in supporting these students and the people working with them. | |
| 1. | Goal Statement |
| Our SLS prides itself on delivering high quality professional development to our members. Over the course of the year, we hold numerous and varied workshops based on member need and requests. Given the timeliness of the topics, these workshops are often filled to capacity. Our goal is to continue providing appropriate high-quality staff development.
Following are programs already planned for 2006-2007:
. Library automation training for Mandarin and Follett users focusing on expanded services (e.g., 24/7 access)
. Leadership Forum: this colleague-to-colleague initiative, now in its third year, offers workshops in many key areas of school librarianship and provides participants with useful ideas and strategies. The workshops are given by members and represent best practices in our region. Preliminary needs assessment for the 2006-2007 Leadership Forum indicates a need for book discussion groups, advanced technology training, and information regarding current research connecting school libraries and student achievement.
. SmartBoard training: an initial workshop was offered in February 2006, and more sessions will be offered
. Searching subscription databases effectively
. Teaching note-taking strategies
. Peggy Sharp Workshop, an annual Children’s Literature event, will be offered to LMS and teacher partners in October 2006.
. A School Library System Workshop focusing on the "Role of the Library Media Program and Student Achievement" is planned for April 2007. Dr. Ross Todd will be the keynote speaker.
In addition, a contingent of library media specialists from the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System always attends national (AASL), state (NYLA), and local conferences (SLMSSENY). We hold a dinner meeting during these conferences to share ideas and to plan how to implement the exchange of information once we return home. We will maintain this practice and encourage additional members to attend these conferences.
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| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| As a result of these professional development programs, our SLS members will receive the training and support they need to be highly effective leaders in their library media centers, their schools, and in their learning communities.
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| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| The SLS end-of-year evaluation will continue to include questions on the type of workshops that members would like to see offered and to solicit the names of library media specialists willing to offer them. The SLS Director will retain statistics on workshop attendance and the number of programs led by LMS in our System. All workshops and programs will continue to be evaluated by participants.
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| 1. | Goal Statement |
| The School Library System Director is available throughout the school year and summer recess to provide professional support, program guidance and technical assistance to any library media specialist(s)in the system. | |
| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| Network meetings contain a staff development focus that address a myriad of multi-faceted professional issues that include advocacy, budgeting, purchasing, collection development, weeding, reader enrichment strategies, partnering with teachers, grant writing, and other areas as requested by library media specialist members of the System.
The School Library System sponsors no less than ten network meetings annually beginning with the September "Welcome Back for K-12 LMS" and concluding with the "Annual End-of-Year Breakfast Meeting for K-12 LMS." |
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| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| Measurement in the goal area will be assessed in the following ways: 1. The quality of the Network Meetings will be measured in the School Library System Annual Evaluation. 2. Participants in the "Focus Group for New Library Media Specialists" will complete an end-of-the-year evaluation to assess the value of this initiative and to offer recommendations to improve or expand this System service. 3. Participants in the trainings will complete an evaluation at the conclusion of each session. |
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| 1. | Goal Statement |
| The School Library System will negotiate with vendors wherever possible to insure the availability of non-print resources at the most competitive consortial pricing for all member libraries.
The Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System schedules informational workshops and staff development trainings for library media specialists in response to evolving professional responsibilities and changing informational needs. |
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| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| The Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System will partner with the School Library Systems Association (SLSA) to work collaboratively toward competitive state-wide level discount pricing for online resources, print and non-print offerings that are available to school libraries.
The Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System will maintain its present status as a dues paying member of WALDO to participate in group purchasing of electronic resources and to expand inter-library loan opportunities to the members of our System.
The School Library System will sponsor a School Library System Leadership Forum.
The School Library System will offer an informational session addressing hot new technologies on an annual basis.
The School Library System will coordinate with officials of EBSCO and Thomson-Gale to offer an annual "User Workshop" to insure that library media specialists and teacher partners optimize the rich curriculum resources of these research tools.
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| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| Members of the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System should increase participation in SLS electronic database purchases by 7% to 10% annually.
Participants attending these workshops will complete an evaluation of SLS sponsored workshops. Participants are encouraged and will be challenged to offer suggestions to improve these training workshops. |
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| 1. | Goal Statement |
| Our SLS believes that it is important to continue to educate school and district administrators and library media specialists about the importance of supporting strong library programs. Toward this end, the SLS Director is an active member of the BOCES Curriculum Council comprised of Assistant Superintendents of Curriculum/Instruction from all member districts. At these meetings he discusses services provided by the SLS, along with such items as recent studies regarding the correlation between strong library media programs and increased student learning/performance. The SLS Director is also a major influence at the BOCES level where he keeps the SLS's needs/concerns at the forefront.
In addition to educating non-library administrators, the SLS Director includes advocacy information on the SLS Listserv and on the agenda of networking and System Council meetings.
The SLS goal is to continue these advocacy efforts.
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| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| As a result of these advocacy efforts, there will be a better understanding of the importance of strong library programs and the funding required. Administration and legislators will give increased support to our SLS and member library media center programs, facilities and resources. There will also be an increased use of SLS services by district adminstrators and school personnel. | |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| The SLS Director is in the best position to evaluate the effect of advocacy efforts. He will do this by keeping statistics, recording the level of discourse at administrative meetings, articulating the type of questions asked that have to be raised to promote advocacy among non-library media professionals. | |
| 1. | Goal Statement |
| Our major form of communication is our SLS Listserv. All members have access to it and it is widely-used by 70% of them. Other key vehicles for communication include:
1. The bi-monthly elementary, middle school and secondary networking meetings that are attended by library media specialists from all member school districts.
2. The SLS Directory that lists addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
3. The scheduled Liaison Meetings that provides another avenue of identifying district needs. The SLS Director uses the liaisons to communicate directly with the library media specialists in their own school districts.
4. The SLS website is updated regularly and includes information on programs, advocacy efforts, the Union catalog, member schools, etc.
5. The Annual Partnership Dinner attended by school library media specialists and their public library counterparts.
6. The June breakfast meeting attended by the majority of member school library media specialists. At this meeting the SLS Director leads us in reflecting on the past year's activities and confirming plans for the upcoming year.
7. Informal gatherings initiated by members of the SLS including planned and impromptu dinners and book discussions.
Although we have reason to be proud of our high level of participation in the previously-mentioned activities, our goal is to continue to increase avenues of communication. This includes reaching out to new School Librarians working in non-public schools to identify their needs and to expand their membership in the SLS. |
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| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| As a result of these communication initiatives, participation in SLS programs and activities will increase. This in turn will result in the strengthening of a System-wide "community" among members, which is a critical need of library media specialists working solo in their buildings. | |
| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| Participation statistics kept by the SLS Director for all activities will demonstrate the impact of this increased focus on communications. | |
| 1. | Goal Statement |
| 1. The Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System embraces the need and recognizes the value of maintaining and expanding cooperative efforts with other library systems on an annual basis.
2. Working collaboratively with neighboring library systems will enhance information sharing and extend collegial cooperation among library media specialists, public librarians and academic librarians. |
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| 3. | Intended Result(s) |
| 1. An annual School Librarian/Public Librarian Partnership Dinner will be sponsored by the School Library System with support from the Westchester Library System and the Mid-Hudson Library System. The dinner will be planned on a yearly basis for the third Tuesday in May.
2. The School Library System Director with the support of the Library Council and the System Liaisons will work with the Executive Director of METRO (The Metropolitan New York Library Council) to develop opportunities for partnership and collaborative forums for school library media specialists and their collegues serving in collegiate, university and academic settings. |
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| 4. | Evaluation Method(s) |
| 1. Librarians who plan to attend the dinner will be asked to pre-register. Librarians attending the dinner will be invited to complete an evaluation of the program and to offer suggestions for a dinner speaker or enrichment program for the next year.
2. A survey will be developed by this committee and be distributed among a group of library professionals serving in the school, the public and the academic settings respectively. The results of the survey will identify areas where articulation among levels needs to be addressed and improved.
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