Directed Field Work: Bellingham High School Library
From January-March 2019, I worked 10 hours/week in a 9-12 high school with 1100 students. My main focus was on projects that have received less attention since the implementation of the school's 1:1 device program this school year, but I also worked with students and staff in the library in the form of readers advisory and computer assistance.
My projects included:
- Weeding the reference collection and locating new titles to purchase.
- Compiling a list of online resources on a variety of topics to supplement the print reference collection.
- Updating the library's LGBTQ resource list and creating a mental health resource list.
- Creating and maintaining displays.
- Performing a collection analysis to locate gaps and recommend titles for purchase to fill these gaps.
More information about each of these projects can be found below.
Reference Collection Update
Weeding & Recommendations
I weeded roughly 100 books from the library's print reference collection due to outdated material. Then, I looked for current replacements in content areas with gaps in coverage, as well as more diverse perspectives. In order to supplement the print collection, I also spent time looking for free, online resources to compile into a list to be posted from the library's web page.
Electronic Resource List
Resource Lists
LGBTQ & Mental Health Resource List Updates
The library had an in-progress LGBTQ resource list that needed to be updated. I was also interested in creating a mental health resource list. For both of these, I performed subject and keyword searches in the catalog as well as cross-referencing titles from blog posts and lists with the catalog. As students have a variety of reading interests and fiction is a valuable way to build self-understanding and empathy, I searched for a combination of fiction, non-fiction, and biography.
Displays
Black History Month & Women's History Month
I created displays around the library for Black History Month and Women's History Month. I chose to include fiction in my displays, as it provided a good opportunity to highlight black and/or female writers, not to mention the fact that fiction circulates more frequently.
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Collection Analysis
Gaps & Recommendations
In the process of working on the other projects, I noted gaps in the collection and then spent time researching titles for purchase to fill these gaps. Notable gaps were included in Native American authors, updated resources about mental and physical health, and in the non-fiction collection generally.
View Recommendations