I'm not sure where we are with circulation, but I've got about 350 or so books now due.

The barriers I've found for SHS students (2000) are time... (not enough, too many extra-curr commitments)

Can't find a good one (it didn't jump out at me, but I don't want to use the catalog or shelf browse)

Everything gets graded in English....


Some English teachers bring them in once or twice a year as a class to get a book, but then they don't continue and don't allow consistent time in class to read. It's true that there is a high degree of accountability, and I stopped charging fines because I'd rather see them attempt to read.

Against my own better advice to myself, I'm trying displays with title summaries in small binders nearby for a quick glance thru at say... Nutmegs.

We have a principal and assistant principal retiring, and perhaps culture will shift with new leadership.

When I taught middle school, we did a fair amount of pleasure reading, and I always read when students read (no grading or planning or reading online). I'm not sure why high school teachers and culture is so opposed, and I wish I had some better ideas too.


Stephanie Patterson
Southington High School Library 
"Building character with critical thinking, creativity,
 collaboration and communication."

tel: 860.628.3229 x 11335
From: CASL-L <casl-l-bounces@mylist.net> on behalf of Janice Pellegrino <janpellegrino@milforded.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 12:37 PM
To: Mr. McKenna
Cc: CASL_L
Subject: Re: [CASL-L] Requesting Print, Fiction Circulation Stats, HS
 
I'm in Milford and have approximately 900 students.

Joseph A. Foran High School

2017-2018:  1471
2018-2019:  1386 (so far)

I did a really informal poll of two English classes this year about what could encourage them to read more and these were the responses they gave. 

List one or more things that would help you to read more often for pleasure.


Time Management/More Time/Spending Less Time on Cell Phone:  9


Finding Books That Are Interesting/Have a Good Connection with the book/finding books that match my interest/finding high fantasy books without romance/access to newer sports books/good books/books in my favorite genre/books about presidents & animals/more books about teen reality/having access to books in the genres I like: 21


Size of book/books that are not extremely long: 2


Do not like reading: 1


Have too much homework: 1


Reading books recommended by Friends/listening to recommendations of books/Teachers telling or giving opinions: 3


Being bored: 1


Having to read for a grade/having to take notes on the book: 1


Getting extra credit: 1


Not needing to write or record your reading/making it feel like it’s not a chore: 2


Going to the library and reading the book summaries/Looking at books: 2


Set times to read each day: 1


Talking to friends/family: 1


Audiobooks: 1



On Wed, May 15, 2019 at 11:20 AM Mr. McKenna <mmckenna@simsburyschools.net> wrote:
Hi All!

I have an inquisitive, curious building admin who would like to know what print, fiction circulation numbers are like at high school libraries similar to our school's enrollment (approx. 1,400 students) and in our geographic area (Farmington Valley, Hartford County).

For context, we've circulated about 500 fiction titles in print to students and staff this year (2018-19). This is about the same number of similar circulations as last school year (2017-18) for us. I think this admin wants to know if this is typical of other high schools like ours, in order to gauge the level of student interest in reading through this medium.

If you have the available time and will to generate these stats (2017-18 compared to 2018-19 would suffice), and don't mind sharing them with me to share with my curious admin, I'd be very grateful. Thanks for your consideration, and thanks for all you do!

Best,

Mike McKenna, MLS, M.Ed.
Library Media Specialist
Simsbury High School
34 Farms Village Road
Simsbury, CT 06070
mmckenna@simsbury.k12.ct.us
(860) 658-0451 x. 161
Joe Townsley Virtual Library

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Janice Pellegrino, M.P., M.L.S.
Librarian
Joseph A. Foran High School
Milford, CT 06460

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Currently Reading:
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas