“The library learning commons is the physical and virtual collaborative learning hub of the school” (Canada Library Association, 2014, p.5). For the success of this learning hub, it is imperative students, educators and parents know the resources/materials within this space have been specifically curated to take into consideration the audience, format and usage of each resource. Students, educators and parents rely on the resources and services available in the Library Learning Commons. They trust the resources have been properly vetted. According to Elk Island Public School’s Administrative Procedure 250 (2016), the Learning Commons must ensure it maintains an up to date collection with appropriate library selections.
As part of ensuring our library collection in up to date with appropriate library selections, the following checklist can be used to evaluate our collection. After reviewing a resource from our collection, I will share some possible alternatives to be considered for replacement in our Library Learning Commons as we begin the process of ensuring our resources are properly updated and maintained.
The checklist has been created using ideas from Reference Skills for the School Librarian by Ann Marlow Riedling, discussions from colleagues, course work as well as standards set forth in EIPS Administrative Procedure 250. The indicators listed in the checklist will be used to help determine the appropriate selection and weeding of Atlas reference materials.
The majority of materials in our reference section are atlases. According to Riedling (2103), “geographical requests can vary widely, requiring and assortment of geography related sources” (p. 79). However, upon further review, many of our atlases were very similar in content. We currently hold 5 Atlases in our collection considered World Atlases. Our current collection of atlases range in publication dates from 1998-2009. Although Riedling (2013), suggests age may not be the main criterion when weeding resources, it does need to be mentioned a “five-year-old atlas is considered historical” (p. 80). This would mean every Atlas we currently hold in our collection would be out of date.
PART 1:
The resource I am choosing to evaluate based on the Reference Resource Checklist is The Eyewitness Atlas of the World (1998).
Relevancy and Use of Library Space
- Is the resource relevant and reliable to the students in our school? NO
- Does the resource take up an appropriate amount of space on our shelves? YES
- Is the resource user friendly, allow access to information quickly and provides many different access points for students based on grade level and reading ability? YES & NO
- Is the format of the resource easy to understand with a comprehensive how to use introduction? YES
This current resource is only 160 pages so it takes up little space in our Learning Commons. The format and introduction of the resource provides an adequate Key as well as a comprehensive section on how to use the atlas. However, the relevancy and reliability of this resource in questionable due to the some of the content easily observed. This resource still has Pluto listed as a planet and it does not show the territory of Nunavut. Although students are able to access information quickly the reading ability would definitely be suited for Division 2 students (Gr. 4-6).
Purpose and Curricular Connections
- Does the resource meet the needs and follow the Alberta Program of Studies? NO
- Is the resource circulated appropriately within the school so it can meet student needs and support their inquiring minds? NO
- Does this resource meet and support the EIPS Administrative Procedure 250? NO
- Does this resource add value to student learning and introduce the students to the social context of the world they live in? NO
According to Section 1.3 of EIPS Administrative Procedure the Principal shall: provide students with information about Canadian society, its many facets and the contributions of multicultural groups to Canadian social, political, economic and creative life.
This atlas unfortunately does not meet this descriptor as it uses the term Eskimos which we know to be an inappropriate term when referring to our Inuit population.
Due to the age of this resource students may not be able to use this resource for reporting accurate information on communities. For example: The Canadian population in this resources is listed as 27 800 000. According to Statistics Canada (2016) the Canadian population was just over 35 million.
Additionally, when reviewing the circulation history of this resource it has only been circulated 10 times since its acquisition in 2000. The last time it was circulated was January 2013.
Currency/Authority
- Is this resource up to date as we live in an ever changing world? NO
- Does this resource provide our students with accurate and current ideas with multiple opinions? NO
- Is the cost of the resource taken into consideration with its usage? N/A
- Has a reputable publisher published the material? YES
This resource was published by a reputable publisher - Dorling Kindersley. The biggest downfall of this resource is its age. This resource is 21 years old which makes for many inaccuracies which do not accurately represent our current world landscape.
Although this resource could be used as a historical atlas to compare and contrast with a newer version, I would suggest weeding this from the collection.
PART 2:
The newest atlas to evaluate based on the checklist which I could currently find is the Smithsonian Children’s Illustrated Atlas (2016) which I will choose to evaluate based on the checklist.
Relevancy and Use of Library Space
- Is the resource relevant and reliable to the students in our school? YES
- Does the resource take up an appropriate amount of space on our shelves? YES
- Is the resource user friendly, allow access to information quickly and provides many different access points for students based on grade level and reading ability? YES
- Is the format of the resource easy to understand with a comprehensive how to use introduction? YES
Purpose and Curricular Connections
- Does the resource meet the needs and follow the Alberta Program of Studies? YES & NO
- Is the resource circulated appropriately within the school so it can meet student needs and support their inquiring minds? N/A
- Does this resource meet and support the EIPS Administrative Procedure 250? YES
- Does this resource add value to student learning and introduce the students to the social context of the world they live in? YES
Currency/Authority
- Is this resource up to date as we live in an ever changing world? YES
- Does this resource provide our students with accurate and current ideas with multiple opinions? YES
- Is the cost of the resource taken into consideration with its usage? YES
- Has a reputable publisher published the material? YES
Although this resource met most of the criteria on the Reference Resource Checklist, I wish to point out a few things to keep into consideration. This resource is a very simplistic atlas. It has a ‘key’ which highlights the produce and industry in Canada but is very limited in the information it provides on Canadian content to meet the curricular content in the Alberta Program of Studies. However, the images, graphics and layout are very appealing in this atlas and I could see many students of all ages and grade levels choosing to look through this resource. This resource would definetly be a great introduction to atlases at the younger grade levels, but lacks some of the more detailed content required for older grades. This resource is currently only 2 years old and is also published from Dorling Kindersley. It is 128 pages with a price tag of $18.45. I would recommend this resource be added to the collection.
Riedling (2013) suggests National Geographic Atlases as suitable for school libraries. While searching which resources National Geographic might have available for the school market, I came across 3 resources we may consider purchasing for the Library Learning Commons. All three of these resources have publication dates in 2019. Limited information is currently available on these resources but they are all strong possibilities to be added to our collection. The National Geographic website does not even have information listed at this time regarding these upcoming publications. This information was retrieved from Amazon.
The first is the National Geographic Beginner's World Atlas which will be available July 9, 2019. The cover itself is appealing to the eye and the cost of the hardcover version is only $21.14 CAN with 64 pages. The synopsis on Amazon talks about lively photos and a kid-friendly design.
The second is the National Geographic Student World Atlas which will also be available July 9, 2019. This is the Fifth Edition and according to Amazon it is complete with updated maps and statistics. The cost of the hardcover version is only $22.90 CAN and 144 pages.
Finally, the National Geographic Atlas of the World, 11th Edition will be available September 3, 2019. According to Amazon this is National Geographic's Flagship Atlas, but with this designation also comes the heftier price tag at $243.85 with 448 pages.
Once these three resources are available for purchase and more information is available, the Library Learning Commons Leadership Team will spend some time reviewing our Reference Resource Checklist to determine which to purchase.
References
Administrative Procedures. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.eips.ca/about-us/administrative-procedures/250
Brooks, A. (2016). Children's illustrated atlas. New York: DK Publishing.
Canadian School Libraries (CSL). (2018). Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada. Retrieved from http://llsop.canadianschoollibraries.ca
Raincoast Books. (1998). Eyewitness atlas of the world. Vancouver.
Riedling, A., Shake, L., & Houston, C. (2013). Reference skills for the school librarian(3rd ed.). Santa Barbara, California: Linworth, an imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC.
3 comments:
Theresa, what a great insight into a resource that we commonly use in our learning commons. We will have to re evaluate our reference materials.
Teresa, this was a very informative analysis of the atlases. You put the resources through many steps and came to an evident summary of the value of the resource. I find it interesting that you chose this resource because it would be a more challenging evaluation. I wonder though if a digital resource might be better or a mix of one hard copy for those die hards and a digital link for another. I am one of those die hards and prefer a hard copy in my hands but most students would gravitate to the digital copy.
Seeing the glass half full.
Our province always supports our students with a digital Atlas that has been vetted by people with more authority than myself. This is why I chose to also search for the possibility of a print resource as well.
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