This is how i summarised what i learned from Resourcing the Curriculum......
This sentence might be over used but there is
no better way to say it: I have learned a lot from ETL 503. I also realised how
little I know. Before this course, I have never heard of a collection
development policy. But after creating one myself (with lots of room for
improvement, I’m sure), my job now makes more sense to me. I can see a
direction, a path where I want my library to head in unlike before when I felt
that the library just existed on a day to day basis. I have summarised the
knowledge I have gained and understanding of resource management into ten
principles and gave it the name:
The Ten Commandments of Resource
Management
v I am the school library, if I am
equipped with quality resources then there is no other place in school where
support, extension and enrichment of the education of students shall be
received.
v Do not make negative assumptions;
lack of money, time and support are not hindrances in developing a well
resourced library. Take it as a challenge instead. Stop making excuses, it is a
useless exercise. The time used for complaining could be converted to time used
for making a difference.
v Do not use a name but instead a
number of names to make up a committee which will assist you in developing a
collection development policy. Remember collaboration with other teaching staff
does not only make the job easier but produces better outcomes for the
students, the teachers and the school.
v Remember to keep a good list of
suppliers who can provide your library with quality, relevant and affordable
resources. A checklist to assist in choosing a good supplier such as the NSW
Handbook for school libraries will be handy to have.
v Give honour to your collection
development policy, it is your guide to a better library collection; it must be
reviewed every so often to meet the needs of the school and the changing times
and to discover the weakness and how will
this be addressed
v
Do not weed
out any resource without going through your weeding policy. If done correctly,
weeding helps
ensure that your library's materials are useful, attractive, and accessible to
your students. It can also help in assessing the strengths and weaknesses and
encourage the use of your collection.
v Do not commit the same mistake of
purchasing resources which are no good. Always evaluate your resources. Select
resources which will meet the needs of both your students and teachers and help
address the goals of the school. Always refer to your selection criteria.
v Do not steal other libraries
resources. Think of ways and means on how you can effectively fund your
collection. Book fairs, book club, fund raising are examples of what can be
done to help raise money for the library. Find a good supplier who will not
only give value for your money but excellent service as well. If you do get
funding, make sure you manage it well.
v Do not bear false witness against
another staff member when a resource is questioned. You should include in your
policy how you will respond if and when a collection is challenged.
v
Do not covet
your neighbour’s Collection Development Policy and other pertinent information.
Each library is unique. The needs of the client, the environment, the funding,
and the location are different from another. Make sure your school is complying
with licensing agreements. When in doubt refer to Smartcopying
website the official guide to copyright issues for Australian schools and TAFE
is a comprehensive
site which contains all the information you might need regarding copyright
obligations.
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