Progress made in The Dixie Grammar Schools Library Services during the Autumn Term 2011-2012

1. The Dixie Grammar School
Library Services
December Progress Report 2011
The Librarian now manages both The Michael Parker Library at the Senior School and the
Junior School Library (in collaboration with Mrs Debra Enston the Library Co-ordinator). In
order to track progress at both libraries, the Librarian will submit regular Progress Reports
to the Senior Leadership Team.
Joint Services
The Librarian aims to create a Library Service for the whole school with an “offer“ to
teaching staff, making explicit the services and resources staff can expect. This will be
sent out in a publication for staff in the New Year.
We subscribe to our local Schools Library Service (LSE) for the Senior School. Mrs
Robinson has negotiated with LSE so that some of the book allocation can be used at
the Junior School. We will subscribe as a whole school from April 2012.
Library Online Services, our virtual library service, has been extended to cover the
Junior Library.
Using a system called LibGuides, the Librarian is building pages with lists of evaluated
websites and resources: including book lists, links to online databases, videos,
documents, presentations etc. These can be used to support homework and
coursework, as starter pages for lessons, as guides to help with research and much
more. We are the first school in the UK to use LibGuides. Universities, colleges and
schools around the world use the system, including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and
Yale Universities. The service will enable us to improve students' research by giving
structure and targeted support. The system is being offered to teachers at the Senior
School to start with, and will then be rolled out to Junior School Staff later on. This
takes our virtual library service - Library Online Services - to a higher level and puts us
at the forefront of innovation in school librarianship. Art, Music, Science and PE have
shown an interest so far.
Our published guides (lots more are currently being prepared) can be seen at:
http://library-online.libguides.com/index.php
The Librarian prepared both libraries for Open Morning and received very positive
feedback which was posted on the Library Online website alongside the video made to
showcase the libraries.
The Michael Parker Library – Senior School
Inductions have not taken place this term, due to issues with Mrs Robinson’s voice.
She hopes to be able to take induction sessions with Years 6 and 7 in the spring.
Each Year 6 to 8 English class visits the Library for one lesson each week to develop
their reading.

2. DGS Library Services Think…Ask…Read…Imagine…Create… @ Your Library
o We are using reading records and a range of activities to encourage reading
with Year 6.
o Years 7 and 8 students are undertaking a Reading Challenge with awards at
different levels from Bronze to Platinum. Each student has been introduced
to our Reading is Fun wiki – this encourages students to support each other
with their reading development throughout the year. All resources for the
Platinum level of the challenge have been uploaded to the wiki so that
students can access them from home if they wish.
o The Librarian tracks students’ progress using an Excel spreadsheet.
Students are rewarded with certificates, prizes and credits.
One possible solution to Mrs Robinson’s voice issues was tried out with Year 7 and 8
students. She recorded a commentary for a presentation using VoiceThread and then
played this back to students in the lesson.
Year 6 students received a free book again this year through the Booked Up scheme.
Many students now ask readily for books to be purchased. This personalised service
received very positive comments from visitors during Open Morning.
Teaching study and research skills in the Library has been put on hold until Mrs
Robinson’s voice recovers. She continues to offer a virtual library service to staff and
is building Research Guides using LibGuides – see above under Joint Services. Ad-
hoc informal support with range of research queries by students and staff continues to
develop.
The Library is open every day for whole lunchtime session and is well used by
students. The Librarian is supported by small Student Helper Team and by teaching
staff due to her vocal issues. New Helpers have been recruited this term and the
training system has been improved with their feedback.
Year 7 students helped to put up the Christmas decorations this year and a quiz for
Years 6 and 7 took place at the end of term.
108 books have been added to stock in the Autumn Term. Stock totals are:
o 4275 school books (value £39,216.88)
o 208 LSE books (value £2,085.56)
The totals for borrowing up until the end of term are:
o 146 borrowed by staff (mainly project collections from LSE)
o 980 borrowed by pupils – on target to exceed last year’s borrowing figures
In the New Year, Mrs Robinson is intending to survey the school to ascertain the
extent of ereader and ebook ownership so that future developments of the library
service reflect the needs of the school community.
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3. DGS Library Services Think…Ask…Read…Imagine…Create… @ Your Library
Guides for Parents, Visitors, Staff, Sixth Form and Students have all been updated
and uploaded to the Library Online website for easy access.
The Annual Report for 2010-2011 and the Development Plan for 2011-2012 were
submitted in the Autumn Term.
The Junior School Library
The Library was re-opened on the 7th November after a major updating which began in
July. Each class will be booked in once each week to encourage children to read and
borrow the books. Most classes have now visited. Remaining classes will be
encouraged to book in after Christmas.
Mrs Enston has introduced most class teachers to the new procedures in the library so
that they can issue and return books for their class visits.
Mrs Robinson has opened discussions with teaching staff to ascertain their resource
needs and also to begin planning how the Library and ICT Room can be used to teach
information literacy skills with her support.
Since the beginning of the summer, 2447 books have been catalogued onto the new
system, Junior Librarian. School stock has also had new labels and label protectors.
New books were purchased at Peters Bookselling Services and these have also been
added to stock. The totals are:
o 2120 school books (value £13,653.31)
o 321 LSE books (value £2,354.39)
o 6 books borrowed from Senior School
Students and staff have started to borrow books. The totals up until the end of term
are:
o 124 borrowed by staff (mainly project collections from LSE)
o 237 borrowed by pupils
Mrs Robinson has created and installed new signage, guiding and displays. A folder
with user instructions for class teachers has also been made. Further teaching
materials will be created starting next term.
A team of Year 5 Helpers has been recruited and trained by Mrs Enston. Further
training on Junior Librarian will take place as soon as possible.
Members of the PTA helped with the library upgrade and Mrs Robinson has written a
guide for Parent Volunteers.
The Junior Library was included in the Annual Report 2010-2011 and the Development
Plan for 2011-2012. The Library Services Procedures Manual will be edited to include
the Junior Library.
Anne M Robinson, Librarian, 20 December 2011
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