School Library Program Status

There is no change in the status of the QPS library program for 2011-2012:
There is no funding for a K-8 library program.
There is no library/media department. There is no contact.
There is one state certified librarian at each high school.

This blog will only be updated if there is a status change.

d. Barrett

K-8 Library/media Program Eliminated

Quincy is facing a severe economic downturn. The choice was made by school administration and finalized by the school committee to eliminate Quincy Public School's Library/Media Program, K-8, beginning July 1, 2010. The elementary library program has been operating non-stop for 35 years in Quincy; the middle school libraries have served students for 85 years. There will be one state certified high school librarian at each of the high schools in 2010-2011.

The elementary program serviced 6300 students in 11 schools. The number of library books circulated to elementary school students was 88,000 in 2008-2009. The book and media collection is conservatively worth $1.5 million. There is no plan to operate the libraries next year. Each library is equipped with Follett/Spectrum database and circulation system.

Professional library positions eliminated this year: 7.8. In addition to that a .2 department head position was eliminated. The library department has experienced a decrease in staffing each year over the last few years.

Any school administrator looking for Massachusetts state certified librarians to staff your library, please contact this blog through email.

.

PD Meeting K-5 ;May 11

The meeting for Tuesday, May 11th from 12:45-2:15 will be on-site to work on your Spectrum databases, do backups and catch up with cataloging. The agenda for today (ordering) has been switched to tech services work in your building due to the predicted economic downturn in the city's budget for the next fiscal year.

PD Meeting 9-12; May 6th

There will be a professional development meeting on Thursday, May 6th from 2:30-4:30 at Bradford Library. The agenda will include a wrap up of this year, Bradford Library move, and goal setting for next year.

PD Meeting K-5; Apr 27th

There will be a Professional Development meeting for K-5 library/media team on Tuesday, April 27, at Montclair School library/computer center from 12:45-3:45. A representative from Baker & Taylor will be on hand to go over ordering procedures and new website features as well as help troubleshoot ordering issues. Bring your questions and ordering ideas.

PD Meeting 9-12; Mar 4th

There will be a Professional Development meeting for high school library/media specialists on Thursday, March 4th from 2:30 - 4:30 at the Bradford Library. The topics will include accreditation, Research Paper Handbook update and new Bradford library plans.

PD Meeting K-5; Feb 9th

There will be a Professional Development Meeting on Tuesday, Feb 9th for elementary level beginning at 12:45-4:00 at Lincoln-Hancock School Library. The topics will include planning for the spring city-wide poetry event and library database backup.

PD Meeting 9-12; Feb 4th

There will be a Professional Development Meeting for high school librarians on Thursday, Feb 4th from 2:30-4:30 at Bradford Library. Edits and format choices will be made to the citywide Research Paper Handbook and planning for the move into the new Bradford High School Library will begin.

PD Meeting K-5; Jan 26th

There will be a Professional Development meeting for K-5 on Tuesday, January 26th at the SEMLS headquarters in Lakeville. Meeting is from 1:00-3:30. Topic is technology tools for today, Part Two. High School library teachers are invited if you can swap PD dates or somehow manage the time away.

PD Meeting, K-12 at ALA Conference Jan 16th

Next weekend our team of library teachers will descend upon the American Library Associations Conference in Boston. This is the conference at which the prestigious book awards like the Newbery and Caldecott winners will be announced. We will visit vendors for collection development, library software exploration, and networking with other library professionals. We will also have an opportunity to take home some book promotional materials for our libraries in Quincy. Watch your email for carpooling and other info.

This conference visit will replace the following two PD meetings: Jan 7 (9-12); Jan 12 (K-5).