2008 Grant Proposal Details

Updating the ATA Library Collection   Arts & Technology Academy

Total: $2000

Description:  ATA is the new K-8 school that has replaced Jefferson Middle School and Magnet Arts Alternative School, which had been declining steadily in enrollment. As the former school’s numbers declined so did it’s contribution to the library book budget. There were several years when the schools, especially Magnet Arts, had no budget at all. The quality, quantity, currency and cultural diversity of the collection are seriously neglected. There was a little staffing this year left to hire a certified librarian consultant with experience and knowledge about the newest and the best in children’s and young adult books to help update and improve the library. This grant would provide funds to purchase quality popular, culturally diverse and up-dated library books to improve the ATA Library.

Why is this important?  Circulation figures comparing elementary and middle school library usage over the last several years reveal that ATA has had a very low number of books circulating. This can be attributed to a collection that is old, in bad physical condition, and missing the high-interest and popular titles that excite students about reading. With so many distractions for students today with TV, video games, and computers, having an appealing and up-to-date collection of library books is important for encouraging recreational reading.

Who will be served?  The entire student body of approximately 300 elementary and middle school students will be served as well as the staff and community members.

How will this be evaluated?  Every spring 4J Library Services give schools circulation figures comparing the size of the student body and number of books that circulate that year in all the schools. We would expect a big jump in circulation figures compared to last year. We also ask teachers to evaluate the student’s excitement with the new titles as well as their ability to use the new books in their classroom curriculum.

Does this build on existing programs?  The district and school have put much time and money trying to come up with a unique plan to make the new ATA a viable and exciting addition to the Churchill Region with hopes of building needed enrollment. With an emphasis on technology, much of the district funds have necessarily gone to buying the hardware and software needed to achieve that goal. However, a strong school needs a strong library and this added funding to modernize the library collection would build on the improvements ATA has already been making. Promoting reading and literacy is a vital part of ATA’s philosophy and item number one on the school improvement plan. Last year EEF awarded a $500 grant to purchase classroom reading literature sets reflecting the cultural diversity of ATA. Our present collection of library books needs to better reflect the cultures and traditions of many of our diverse student population and this grant will allow us to improve our library books to meet that goal as well as purchasing exciting popular titles for recreational reading.

Budget:  $2000 would be spent on both fiction and non-fiction books for the library. With the 40% discount Baker and Taylor gives the district on most books, the average would be about $15 per book. With our discount, this should allow us to purchase about 140 exciting new books for the ATA Library.

Proposal #:  7