Annual Report 2000-01

Annual Report 2000-2001

Introduction
School Libraries and Research
	Research indicates that the highest achieving students tend to come from schools with strong libraries and library programs. (Source: Keith Curry Lance, The Impact of School Library Media Centers on Academic Achievement, OERI, U.S. Dept. of Education, 1994)
	Three statewide studies released by the Colorado State Library's Library Research Service and the University of Denver's Library and Information Services Department found that a strong library media program--consisting of a well-stocked school library staffed by a trained school library media specialist--helps achievement tests than their peers in library-impoverished schools. These findings hold true for every school and in every grade level tested (regardless of social and economic factors in the community), in the very dissimilar states of Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Alaska.
	The library supplements what is learned in the classroom and promotes better learning skills, including reading skills, research and library use skills, electronic database and research skills, and the foundation for independent learning that allows students to achieve throughout their educational careers and throughout their lives.
	Access to information and the skills to use it is vital to achieving the educational goals that will make young Americans competitive and informed citizens of the world.
	Free voluntary reading is the foundation for good grammar, writing, and reading comprehension abilities. The school library is the single most available source of reading material for the average American student. (Source: Stephen Krashen, The Power of Reading, 1993)

From the Desks of the Librarians

Martha Oldham, MLS

Three years ago the Lawrence High School Library was closed one entire school year for renovations. During that time, the only direct access to the library was to the reference collection, which was housed in a small classroom. The regular collection was located in the basement of an adjacent building. To check out materials, a student or staff member requested a title and a librarian would carry the books or audiovisual material to the main building. Needless to say, the circulation statistics plummeted to an all time low.

Jacki Rego, LMA

The following year, the staff and students faced the planning stage of opening a second high school in Lawrence. The division had a dramatic effect--staffs were split, classmates were divided, and many long-term teaching partnerships were severed.

Arla Jones, MLS

During this period one of the LHS librarians left at the semester to work on the opening of the new high school's library. This caused another interruption of service. During these times, the patrons became accustomed to functioning without a library and the services that had been provided in the past.

Lawrence High School also entered a new accreditation cycle. Reading was selected as a building target area based on the results of the state reading assessments and CTBS (California Test of Basic Skills) scores. The committee responsible for reading assessment felt that these reading scores indicated a need for focusing on expository reading skills. Another factor was the faculty perception of need across the curriculum.

The "Read to Succeed" Plan: Building a Community of Readers

Improving Lawrence High School's attitude toward reading and improving the circulation statistics of the Lawrence High School Library became the primary goals. The library staff knew that they had to go outside the library walls to encourage students and staff to use the library and its services again. The purchase of a digital camera, new computers, and a printer that had capabilities to print large posters made this goal possible. We planned activities for each month. Our major theme was "READ to SUCCEED." The plan included an evaluation form that was sent to the staff and teachers of Lawrence High School at the end of the academic year.

We hoped circulation would increase by a minimum of 10% during the first year. But to our surprise, our circulation statistics climbed by 78% in the first year and 158% by the end of the third year. Students and staff are using the library again! Librarians are busy. Our vision to make Lawrence High School a community of readers is coming true!

Nine hundred and thirty classes visited the library, library classroom and library computer lab. Over 158 meetings and training classes were scheduled in the library and library classroom. Brian Saab from The Gale Group had an in-service for teachers about utilizing Student Resource Center. First Class training for teachers and staff was held numerous times in the computer lab. Other groups that considered the library home are the School District 497 Crisis Team, Business Partners, Site Council, QPA (North Central) Team and visit, sports (college) signings, Lawrence Education Association, Principal’s Advisory Council, Architectural Students Open House and faculty parties.

The Power of Reading: What Research Shows

Access to a school library results in more reading.
Having a school librarian makes a difference in the amount of reading.
Larger school library collections and longer hours increase circulation.
Larger school library collection means result in high reading scores.
Access to public libraries positively [affects] reading.
Libraries are a consistent and major source of books for free reading.
Magazine reading promotes more reading.
Young people's reading choice[s] are influenced by their peers.
Young people prefer paperbacks to hardback books.
Comic book reading is not responsible for anti-social behavior.
General library use increases when comic books are available.
Comic books lead to other reading.
Reading teen romances generally promotes reading.
Television is not the culprit in the "literary crises"; the absence of good books is to blame.

Adapted from Stephen Krashen, The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research. Libraries Unlimited, 1993.

The "2000-2001 Read to Succeed" Project

September Activities

New book display
Orientation of Sophomores
Banned Books Week Display in Library
Banned Books Week Buttons for Teachers
Discussion of Banned Books with classes
Open House for Parents
Teacher Picks every month
Prepare "Read to Succeed" Posters of the New Teachers
Design bookmarks for Library Services
Design bookmarks for Hot Line Numbers

Banned Books Week
Our celebration of Banned Books Week included "Celebrate the Freedom to Read" buttons for the faculty, staff and students. Our display included books that have been censored in other schools. Discussions with classes were held on censorship.

Introducing New Staff to the LHS Community

"Read to Succeed" posters were made for each new staff member and displayed in the library halllway.

New Fall Books
New books are always popular with students and staff!

October Activities

Ghosts for Teachers and Students
Teen Read Week
Read to Succeed Posters
Kansas Library Month

The "Read to Succeed" posters showed students reading their favorite books. Students highlighted were the football players, scholar's bowl team and library assistants. Posters were sent to the public library and to the junior highs that the students attended.

November Activities

Bookmark Contest
National Education Week
National Native American Week display

Bookmark Contest

Kan Li was the winner of our Bookmark contest.

He perfected his design by using Adobe Pagemaker®.

November is Native American Month

Members of the Native American Club and Rusty Powlas, Kansas University, brought family artifacts to be displayed during this month. History links and Native American authors were highlighted with bookmarks and exhibited on the Lawrence High School Library web page.

	December Activities
	Celebration of cultures Open House for faculty
	Faculty and staff enjoyed a little down-time with librarians. This was our "thank you" to the staff of LHS. Without their enthusiastic help, the library program would be without spirit and joy.

	January Activities
	Update Kansas College Presidents Reading List
	February Activities
	History Day Display Black History Month Trivia Contest Valentine treats for teachers and students

Black History Month

A display of books written by black authors was utilized by the history and literature classes at LHS.

Black authors and black history links can be found on our web page for your information.

A black history quiz with a daily question was read during the announcements. Students and staff brought their answers to the library and, if correct, their names were entered for a grand prize drawing. Students were encouraged to use the library resources to find the answers.

For other studies of culture and history, visit the China, Japan and Korea exhibits on our web page.

	March Activities
	Celebrity Picks, Personal Best, Favorite Books Women's History Month
	April Activities
	What are You Reading Lawrence High School? posters "Get Caught Reading" National Library Week School Library Media Month Survey seniors to find out their favorite books Design brochure for Senior's Favorite Books

Personal Best

In September, we sent letters to celebrities asking them what their favorite books are. Replies were displayed in the case that is located near the cafeteria. Also, Personal Best, a booklet, was designed and printed for all students. Richard Peck, Judi Dench, Jed Bush and John Glenn were only a few of the celebrities who answered our letter.

Return the Borrowed Books Week

Students had fun with "Return the Borrowed Books Week." We made this sign, and it was posted everywhere in the high school. It really caught everyone's attention. The morning announcement included messages about the importance of returning books to the library.

This young man is a library aide and was a starter for the Lion's basketball team.

National Library Week

Posters, Posters, Posters!!! All year, we have been taking pictures (over 80) with our digital camera catching LHS students reading. We make posters (11"x17") and display them in the library hallway.

Orla Reese, one of our graduates, is an anchor for Associated Press. He recorded several public service announcements for us to play during the morning announcements. He was also a library assistant when he was in high school.
New books are on display.
Favorite books of one of our students are on display.
KU Librarians met with LHS students during seminar period to discuss career opportunities.
Honoring the 2001 seniors and featuring the top favorite books of the senior class. A brochure is designed and is given to all students and staff. A list of their favorite books can be found on our web page.

	May Activities
	"Get Caught Reading" Annual Report Evaluation

Lawrence High School Library in the National News

Newbery Award

Selecting the best children's books in the nation is a job that's left to a select group of people. Lawrence High School librarian Arla Jones was elected to be one of 15 librarians who served on the national committee that awards the Newbery Prize.

The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

The medal is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published in the United States during the preceding year. The award is also restricted to authors who are citizens or residents of the United States. There are no limitations as to the character of the book considered except that it be original work. Honor books may be named. Newbery winners are books that are truly distinguished.

It was a great honor for Arla to have this opportunity! It was also a proud moment for the LHS Library.

This poster was printed in the December 2000 issue of American Libraries. It was an illustration for Teen Read Week.

The Lawrence High School Library web page was chosen by School Library Journal as the March Website of the Month.

A page from the LHS Library site will be illustrated in an upcoming book on web design.

Amy Hill Hearth, Having Our Say for Read Across Lawrence

Our students read the book Having Our Say as part of the Read Across Lawrence celebration, and many took part in the discussion groups before Amy Hill Hearth's visit to Lawrence.

On April 29, 2001, students met Ms. Hearth in the library where they discussed the author's relationship with the Delany sisters.

Another discussion was held during lunch with Mrs. Budde's book club.

The Library Annex

Dr. Brad Tate's dream was to see students reading in the Tate Garden. Students love to sit by the pond with a book.

This garden is across the hall from the library.

Professional Organizations
LHS Library	American Library Association (ALA) International School Library Association (ISLA)
Arla Jones	American Library Association (ALA) Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Young Adult Library Services Association (YALA) Kansas Library Association (KLA) National Educational Association (NEA) Lawrence Educational Association (LEA)
Martha Oldham	American Library Association (ALA) American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Young Adult Library Services Association (YALA) Kansas School Library Association (KSLA) National Educational Association (NEA) Lawrence Educational Association (LEA)

Fun in the Library

Celebrating @ the LHS Library
Academics isn't the only excitement in the LHS Library. Teachers can be found enjoying costume and hat days as well as throwing around worldly issues.