Will the Increase of Digital Devices or
School Funding Issues
be the Demise of School Libraries
in Our Data Driven World?
When my kids entered a charter school a few years ago I was
amazed that the school did not have a functioning library. They had half of a classroom filled with new
and old books, some that were inventoried and some that were not.
However, since the school had faced funding
issues the library had not been properly addressed. Some parents felt the same as I did, that our
children needed a working up to date library just like all the other schools
offered.
However, successfully being
able to implement this change would not be an easy task.
 |
| (Media Image, n.d.) |
The only data we had was the reason the library closed originally -- it was no shock to find out it was due to funding.
That helped us realize
we needed to collect more data to understand the bottom line.
How much would it cost to keep up a
functioning library?
Would it need to be
staffed by a salaried employee or could it be volunteer run?
Was there a software system already in place
that would allow us to run a library and if not what are the costs associated?
What would the cost be to purchase additional equipment and
resources?
Was this of any interest to
the teachers in the teachers or administration?
How can a few parents address budget issues in a school, was any of this even possible?
 | |
| (AMX, 2012) |
Collecting Data......
- We started by collecting data from questioning teachers, defining our objective of the value that would come from adding a functioning library for all.
- We also gathered feedback from families who's children were attendees of the charter school.
- All the data collected was in favor of adding a library in the school.
- We then needed to collect the additional data that detailed the costs associated as well as options for creative funding.
 |
| (Primbom, 2012) |
We had to meet with administration and the school board to discuss the possibilities and needs, as well as inquire about any
funding possibilities.
It took several
meetings and research
that led us to concluded that there were a few sources of
outside educational funding programs that were not utilized
to their
fullest.
In addition, further research
informed us that this program could be run completely run by volunteers.
In a Data Driven World We Need to Use Technology Tools....
One method of collecting data was through the use of
technology.
By emailing all the families
and asking for their response allowed us to collect this data faster then if we
had to mail out questionnaires.
Using
the schools e-mail system allowed us almost instant feedback.
Preparing a spreadsheet of expenses and
possibilities of additional income helped us present the data clearly to the
school board which ultimately won their approval.
References:
AMX., (2012). Technology-Education-Funding-Reform-Part-One-Series-Nothing-But-Facts. Image. Retrieved From: http://blog.amx.com/2011/09/12/technology-education-funding-reform-part-one-series-nothing_but_facts/
Media Image., (n.d.). Media Image. Retrieved From:http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/fe/32/7a/fe327a1aa9190b427147c53f247e1ed9.jpg
Primbon, V., (2012). Asking About Possibilities, Curiosity and Desire, Views. Possibilities Image. Retrieved From: http://vanillatwilightprimbon.blogspot.com/2012/11/asking-about-possibilities-curiosity.html
