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Learn "What's Happening?" in the Library Media Center
Our goal of this project is to make it easier for students to find books of interest, allowing them to be more proactive in their choices, and increase the circulation of our fictional titles from the previous year.
Our goal of this project is to make it easier for students to find books of interest, allowing them to be more proactive in their choices, and increase the circulation of our fictional titles from the previous year.
Initial Observations (September 2019)
Initial Observations (September 2019)
The WRHS Library Media Center has a well-rounded print collection of over 7,200 books, with over 2,600 books in its fiction section organized alphabetically by author. The only exceptions are the graphic novels which consist of less than 80 titles in an individual cart. For some unknown reason most of the “classic” titles were separated from the fiction section two years ago and left in a back room. We’ve brought out this bookcase filled with classics for the ALA banned book week and students have been checking out several titles.
The WRHS Library Media Center has a well-rounded print collection of over 7,200 books, with over 2,600 books in its fiction section organized alphabetically by author. The only exceptions are the graphic novels which consist of less than 80 titles in an individual cart. For some unknown reason most of the “classic” titles were separated from the fiction section two years ago and left in a back room. We’ve brought out this bookcase filled with classics for the ALA banned book week and students have been checking out several titles.
Since the beginning of the school year and as the new Library Media and Technology Specialist at WRHS, I’ve taken the time to critically consider the overall layout of the Library Media Center and observed the many ways students and teachers use the space and the various resources available within it.
Since the beginning of the school year and as the new Library Media and Technology Specialist at WRHS, I’ve taken the time to critically consider the overall layout of the Library Media Center and observed the many ways students and teachers use the space and the various resources available within it.
Recently, several English teachers started requiring students to choose a book of at least 200 pages to read for silent reading time. This has brought a diverse group of students into the library with various interests and backgrounds. I’ve observed many students challenged by having to look for a book when they are not familiar with authors or any recent titles. The idea of perusing the fiction section is not easy for them to grasp. We have attempted to place new arrivals on display, grouping those by genre and placing notes with suggestions of similar choices, such as , “If you liked Fault in Our Stars, then this story is for you.”
Recently, several English teachers started requiring students to choose a book of at least 200 pages to read for silent reading time. This has brought a diverse group of students into the library with various interests and backgrounds. I’ve observed many students challenged by having to look for a book when they are not familiar with authors or any recent titles. The idea of perusing the fiction section is not easy for them to grasp. We have attempted to place new arrivals on display, grouping those by genre and placing notes with suggestions of similar choices, such as , “If you liked Fault in Our Stars, then this story is for you.”
The library assistant and I have helped several students search for a book similar to the one they may have recently read. We’ve asked many of these students, “If we could group all the mysteries, or romance, or sports, etc. together, would that help you find a book?” Every single student answered with an enthusiastic YES, and asked when we would be doing it? This confirmed for me that this is a perfect student-driven project which will be extremely applicable to my school’s needs - genrefying the fiction section of the library.
The library assistant and I have helped several students search for a book similar to the one they may have recently read. We’ve asked many of these students, “If we could group all the mysteries, or romance, or sports, etc. together, would that help you find a book?” Every single student answered with an enthusiastic YES, and asked when we would be doing it? This confirmed for me that this is a perfect student-driven project which will be extremely applicable to my school’s needs - genrefying the fiction section of the library.
For this genrefication project, teens and their relationship to young adult (YA) books were considered, specifically how our library’s fiction collection could be arranged so that our students are able to find books that meet their definition of “a good book.” As I considered this need, “Genrefying” or organizing books by subject, category, or genre, made sense because this would allow students to more easily find materials that interest them and will help students find titles they might never have thought of trying. "In a genrefied library... a young reader standing near a favorite book need only stick out a hand to find more like it" (Cornwall, 2018). Genrefying the fiction collection allows us to observe student choices and the genres they flock to, and it supports circulation statistics by showing what genres receive the most and least checkouts. Instead of purchasing books we think our students will like, we can order books we know our students will love!
For this genrefication project, teens and their relationship to young adult (YA) books were considered, specifically how our library’s fiction collection could be arranged so that our students are able to find books that meet their definition of “a good book.” As I considered this need, “Genrefying” or organizing books by subject, category, or genre, made sense because this would allow students to more easily find materials that interest them and will help students find titles they might never have thought of trying. "In a genrefied library... a young reader standing near a favorite book need only stick out a hand to find more like it" (Cornwall, 2018). Genrefying the fiction collection allows us to observe student choices and the genres they flock to, and it supports circulation statistics by showing what genres receive the most and least checkouts. Instead of purchasing books we think our students will like, we can order books we know our students will love!
In October 2019, we began the first stages of genrefying the fiction section of our library media center. Our goal is to make it easier for students to find books of interest, allowing them to be more proactive in their choices, and increase the circulation of our fictional titles by at least 30% from the previous year.
In October 2019, we began the first stages of genrefying the fiction section of our library media center. Our goal is to make it easier for students to find books of interest, allowing them to be more proactive in their choices, and increase the circulation of our fictional titles by at least 30% from the previous year.
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