It’s Mid-Year…How Do You Organize Your Evidence For Evaluation?

This is a mid-year blog that I wrote last year on another blog that is appropriate for this time of year. ~ Crystal

As I sit here on our 4th snow day that we have been out of school since last week, I am gathering and organizing my evidence for my mid-year PDP evaluation tomorrow and year-end evaluation. This can be a stressful time of year if your sources aren’t together and organized. We have everything from emails to student samples to professional development notes. How do we keep it all organized? How do we know we are meeting every standard on our evaluation rubric? Do we even have enough evidence to reflect upon?

In the past, I have had difficulty with organization. I tend to jump on every curation and organizational tool that I have ever been introduced to as I love getting new information on how to store resources. But after a while, it got overwhelming knowing which one to use and would be the most effective. So far, I have decided to use LiveBinders.

I have found that I can add tabs for each standard that I want met. Then I add subtabs under each standard for each evidence I have that meets that standard. You can add URL links, photos and documents. So far it has been very user friendly.

These are my subtabs so far for Standard 1: School library media coordinators demonstrate leadership.

Subtabs for Standard 2: School library media coordinators build a learning environment that meets the instructional needs of a diverse population of students.

Subtabs for Standard 3: School library media coordinators implement a comprehensive 21st Century library media program.

Subtabs for Standard 4:  School library media coordinators demonstrate knowledge of learners and learning and promote effective instructional practices

And subtabs for Standard 5: School library media coordinators demonstrate knowledge of learners and learning and promote effective instructional practices.

Having multiple subtabs allows me to show the items that I am using to prove that I’ve met or exceeded that standard. The standards I am referring to are:

Rubric for Evaluating North Carolina’s School Library Media Coordinators

I sincerely hope that this information will help you on your journey to become Proficient, Accomplished or Distinguished. We are all on this journey together. I would be very interested in hearing how you organize your evidence for evaluations. Please feel free to share or comment. Happy curating and organizing!

The Importance of School Library Funding

Over the course of the last week, I have eagerly monitored my Donors Choose project. I had never used this avenue of project funding before. Starting the new school year and not having any funds to purchase the 2015 NCCBA or national award books yet, I decided to give it a try. I advertised it on Facebook and Twitter. So grateful for all my friends and librarians who have either shared this project with their friends or made a donation! But a week later, my project is still not fully funded (didn't realize how hard it would be to raise $494 and the first week every donation up to $100 was doubled). Needless to say, I'm disappointed.

I think I am more disappointed that public school libraries have to beg for funding, considering that the books and materials service the entire student and teacher population. According to the American Library Association: 

 All school library media programs should be adequately funded to ensure that they include up-to-date collections in both print and electronic formats.

 All students should have the benefit of trained school librarian, who can guide them in learning to use and understand a wide variety of information sources.

 The school library program should be integrated with classroom curriculum so that students learn to make connections between subject areas, retrieve information and think independently. ALA School Library Funding


I couldn't agree more. School library funding has become an issue in many states and districts. Federal, state and local legislatures should allocate funding for school libraries as part of their budgets. Now, in addition to teacher, information specialist, instructional technologist, and library program administrator, we have also become fundraising specialists. This requires additional time that is taken away from instructional time but yet has become a necessity. So now, in addition to the 5-7 fixed classes a day that I plan detailed lessons for, I need to worry about how to pay for supplies and library curriculum materials. Our students deserve so much more, especially our students that depend on the school library to supply ALL of their reading material because they have none at home. 

Please don't get me wrong. I have the best career in the world. I'll take on these roles anyway. But our schools, teachers and students need and deserve SO much more. If the media center is going to be the "hub" of the school that serves ALL students, we need to provide funding there also. Our students are counting on us. 

For more school library studies, visit School Libraries Impact Studies

To donate to our library project, visit Award Books for Voting 2015 Project

Spring Break Reading

Alas, Spring Break 2015 is almost over. I enjoyed my time by traveling to Wilmington NC with both my children, as Sarah will be graduating this year from high school and our time together will begin to be limited. During our time away, I had the chance to catch up on my reading, as librarians never have enough time to read. The first book I read was "Unforgotten Sins in Charleston" by Jim Gordon III. Since Charleston SC holds the key to my heart, I devoured this novel in record time. Plus it was historical in nature which was an added bonus. 

While shopping at Two Sisters Bookery (a fantastic indie book shop), I bought "Whistling Past the Graveyard" by Susan Crandall, which is also historical fiction and a recommended read by Karen White, one of my favorite authors. 

After returning from Wilmington, my son, Stephen and I accompanied Sarah to Boone NC for Appalachian State University admitted student day. Once home from Boone, I had 3 glorious days left to finish my leisurely reading. 

Next on my list was "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd. You guessed it! It is set in Charleston SC and it's historical fiction. Then to clear my mind between reading two long novels, I quickly read "Lowcountry Hurricanes" by Lynn Michelsohn. As my spring break time got shorter, I began reading "Out With the Tide" by Lola Faye Arnold, which I bought after the author contacted me to read and review it. I love local/regional authors and am always willing to help self-published authors. Plus this book is also set in Charleston SC and takes place in 1981. I suppose I should just go back to school and get a degree in Charleston history. 

I also try to keep a balance of professional reading as well. I recently bought "Learn Like a Pirate: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed by Paul Solarz. This is no easy task as a school librarian when you teach the majority of your day. But you do what you love and you keep on striving to be the best at it. For me, that involves blending pleasure reading with professional reading so as not to burn out to quick. Reading is a huge part of my life that makes me happy. What makes you happy? Try blogging about it. :-)