What kinds of Books does Your School Library Need?

Dorcas HandDirector of Libraries, Annunciation Orthodox School, Houston

Three LensesThe school mission and digital goals

Preparation for college level academic research tools

Specific digital access points that accomplish these goals

What do you want?

What is the school’s goal in implementing eBooks and other digital resources?

How do these goals impact student preparedness for college research demands?

How do students best read and understand new information?

Research shows that traditional print still most successful format for deep reading

Literacy goals must be articulated

Digital opportunities exist but need more support and infrastructure for success

On the other handAnecdotal observation indicates that student enthusiasm for digital formats may increase time spent reading

Delivery systems for fiction and nonfiction may be different

The key is access: how do students locate materials for their needs? OPAC? Amazon? EBL/Overdrive?

Main Library Services

Support reading, cover-to-cover reading, typically for recreation

Support research, more computer and reference focused

Prepared for college research?

Are your students gaining a solid foundation in critical thinking?

What learning outcomes in critical thinking do you expect from ebooks, and how do you plan to assess success?

Focusing with tighter vision

School lensTechnical lensSpace lensCollection Development lens

Collection Development

Collection Development Model◦Patron driven purchasing ◦Traditional speculative buying from reviews

Ownership v. subscription

BalanceRoom for experimentationTechno-stress / info overloadCommunity’s needs v. wantsToday’s answer will changeBe ready to be wrong, and learn to adjust