2017-2018 Annual Library Report
 
Staff
  • Hours: 7:00 – 3:00 Mon, Tues, Wed, and Fri. & 7:00 – 2:30 Thursday.
  • 1 part time librarian
  • 1 full time librarian: neither librarian has a planning period.
  • We currently do not have an instructor III or clerk.
 
Manual Information
  • Manual has a student body of approximately 1950 students.
  • Magnets include: MST (Math, Science, and Technology), Visual Arts, Youth Performing Arts, Journalism and Communications, and High School University.
  • We have a self-contained ECE unit as well as mainstreamed ECE students.
  • We have an ASL department. I have one of the deaf students as a student aide and have become acquainted with the deaf community and their specific needs. FYI: deaf students prefer the term, ‘deaf’ rather than, ‘hearing impaired’.
 
Library Usage
  • 71,388.00 student library visits via classes, study skills with notes, lunch sessions, and before and after school were documented. This means on average, we had between 400 to 600 students a day visiting the library depending on the schedule.
  • The library is an alternative to the cafeteria during all five lunches. We average between 100-120 students a day during third block just from, ‘lunch’ students in addition to the regular study skills students and any classes scheduled.
  • Crimson Hour: during randomly held, ‘Crimson Hour’ sessions students may come to the library if they reserve space in advance. Crimson Hour is an hour of flexible time in the building in which students may flow freely between teachers, cafeteria, library, etc.
  • 435 classes were held in the library.
  • 2297 were checked out. Students prefer online databases for research. The preponderance of books checked out were fiction. That information to follow.
 
Funding
  • 28,000.00 A combination of student library fee (5.00), regular budget funds, and an extra dollar amount second semester allocated by administration.
  • The student library fee includes the following for all students: free printing services including color, photocopier use, lamination, spiral binding, general supplies. I also do not charge overdue fees if books are returned rather than lost. I have found that my overdue list decreased as a result by avoiding the stigma and fear of charging late fees.
 
 
Communication
  • Mrs. Causey created a library Twitter page to reach more students in an effective social media format.
  • Remind.com – I created a text alert profile using remind.com that students may subscribe to for library information, updates, and schedule/hours changes.
  • Website: I created a library web page for students and faculty with electronic resources, tutorials, and music for relaxation and study time. The website was designed as a, ‘mobile library and research center’.  www.manuallibrary.weebly.com
  • Regular communication via email with faculty and staff regarding local events and library updates including: Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education, U of L Diversity Program, free audiobook access online information, library schedules and activities, etc.
  • I provide hard copy flyers with information that I am not allowed to publish online such as ID and password information for online databases such as KYVL and flyers with tutorials and usage tips for said sites as well as free online test preparation links.
  • Students are provided information in casual seating areas related to self-help and crisis management information such as suicide hotline information, etc.
  • Y-Club students received service hours for providing help in the library during end of the year closing storage and cleaning.
 
Collections: Hardcopy & Online
  • Gale Cengage World History in Context Database
  • Gale Cengage GVRL eReference Collection
  • Gale Cengage Opposing Viewpoints Database
  • Gale Cengage Literature Resource Center Database
  • DVDs
  • Self-Contained ECE specific collection
  • Korrect Optical Next Chapter  (collection created via funds donated by parents)
  • Graphic Novels
  • College and AP Preparation
  • Hard copy and eBook reference collection
  • Teen management of stress, anger, and depression.
  • Fiction
  • Junior Library Guild
  • Circulating Dewey
  • Library of America
  • Professional Collection
  • Magazines reflecting leisure interests, academics/courses offered, and cultural awareness
  • eNewspapers: The Courier Journal & U.S.A. Today
 
 
Activities, Classes, & Events
  • This is the only library as well as the only computer lab space for a school with three buildings and nearly 2000.00 students.
  • Freshman orientation: Library 101 & Library Website 101 via English classes
  • Research 101: present to classes about library research including web authenticity, how to utilize the specific databases purchased for Manual, library website as a mobile research center with tutorials about citation and grammar help, Boolean search techniques, plagiarism, etc.
  • ASL Kinder Games: Manual ASL worked with a class of deaf elementary students for a day of games and language exchange.
  • Collaboration with self-contained ECE unit for Library 101 activities including social engagement, research, and self-directed library usage. The library provides weekly, ‘field trips’ for the students.
  • Central meeting space for foreign exchange students and teachers with access to technology.
  • Pep rally alternative for students with noise aversion, PTSD, 504 plans, autism, anxiety disorders, etc.
  • College & Career Day: host the creative writing interviews for GSP with various professors in the region.
  • Skype location for students conducting out of state college interviews or participation in competitions via Skype.
  • Additional support for eSchool and Edgenuity programs and MAC tutorial programs (remediation and online courses) specifically with computer and printer needs.
  • Budget meetings.
  • PTSA luncheons.
  • PTSA ‘Pi€ day.
  • Online ILP sessions by homeroom and individually.
  • Quick Recall matches
  • Quick Recall district coaches’ meetings
  • Reception area for coaches and parents for State competitions held on campus
  • Workshops:
Financial aid and scholarships
District training for Quick Recall coaches
  • Visiting Professionals working with students in the library:
Speech Therapists
Teachers for visually impaired students
Interpreters with deaf students
School psychologist
  • Exams administered and proctored in the library: ( I serve as a proctor in many cases)
Advanced Placement
National Math Exam
            National Spanish Exam
            Extended time and accommodations
            Dual credit Spanish Exam
  • ACT practice test location
  • ACT with accommodations location
  • Freshman homeroom location for one section
  • Math League activities
  • “Home base” for sign language interpreters and preferred substitutes to store belongings, eat lunch, conduct meetings with student interpreters from UofL, etc.
  • Hanover College conducted a surprise, scholarship award ceremony to one of our students in the library. His family and friends were here to watch as the school representatives offered him a full, four-year scholarship.
 
 
Technology
  • 57 computers including a dedicated OPAC
  • It is important to note again that this is the only computer lab location for classes to visit and assist with specific course software requirements as well as for any online testing needs.
  • I also service all my computers by reimaging and reloading printers and software twice a year. Due to the heavy usage, this is a necessity for equipment to properly function.
  • Seven computers were replaced this year.
  • Three additional computers were added as new stations
  • Four computers were recycled from another area of the building for a new, ‘print only’ station.
  • 5 monochromatic printers
  • 1 color printer
  • Scanners
  • Photocopier
  • Blu-ray players
  • Document cameras
  • LCD projectors, carts, extension cords, etc.
Assorted items
  • TVs/VCRs
  • Speakers
  • Flip Cameras
  • Tape recorders
  • Boomboxes
  • Headphones
  • Laminators
  • Binding machines
  • 5 donated laptops available for checkout
Software
  • Photoshop
  • Logger Pro
  • GSP
  • Assorted classroom specific programs loaded by request
Supplies
  • Supplies available to students with no additional fees: poster board, tape, glue, copy paper, lined paper, construction paper, Band-Aids, printing services, lamination services, color printing, binding services, graph paper, pens, rulers, and other basic, ‘office supply’ needs.
Printing Needs
  • As a college prep school, we have substantial printing needs. Students often have 30 plus page papers for class projects, science fair, competitions, etc. They conduct a great deal of research and require copious numbers of resource materials. We are also the printing station for club flyers, etc. The requirements are for both color and black and white printing.
 
 
Library News
  • A new printing station was added due to the large numbers of students sent to the library, visiting during class breaks, and during lunches to quickly print. This has been a heavily used and successful addition. The new station includes four computers with a new walk-up style table. The computers stay logged on to a generic user account, which speeds up the process significantly.
  • Additional computers were added increasing our overall number to help accommodate scheduled classes as well as, ‘walk –in’ students from study skills classes.
  • We rearranged printers for better flow and ease of use.
  • Experimented with creative book marketing techniques on the fiction shelves which did increase student interest and promote greater check out of materials.
  • ‘Blind Date with a Book’ display created quite a bit of buzz and excitement with our readers.
  • The external/hallway book display was re-routed to the interior of the library with a more hands-on approach to new book displays or thematic displays. Student aides were in charge of decorating the table.
  • Student aides were given a, ‘duty roster’ binder with specific tasks to be accomplished each day.
  • A new lunch sign-in and sign-out policy was implemented to help more closely monitor which students are here for lunch as opposed to a class to help cut down on opportunities to cut class.
  • Frequent emails and faculty meeting discussions continue pertaining to the system for sending students to the library and that we insist students must have a note from the teacher of record rather than anyone else when visiting the facility.
 
The mission for the duPont Manual Library is to maintain what we have diligently worked to create which is a high school library that is a microcosm of the larger public and college libraries. It is a home away from home for many students. We work to cultivate a sense of ownership and belonging for our kids…with rules of course….and found that we have our, ‘regular’ students that visit each day. Most of the students come from study skills classes, but we do have a large number of students who come to the library in lieu of the cafeteria during lunch. The library is heavily utilized and an integral part of the students’ school day. A soon to be graduating senior came to say goodbye and told me that the library is the biggest resource for Manual students and in fact, a home base.
Holly McCullough
Christie Causey