Save Money on Books By Ila J. Verdirame SLM566 Action Research April 26, 2009

As the book budget shrinks, how can I purchase more books with my allotted funds?

Elmwood Elementary School Library The collection has 11,733 items. That is about 30 items per student. The average age of the collection is 1993. School Year Book Budget Student Enrollment Grades 2006-2007 $8,500.00 407 K-5 2007-2008 $7,800.00 446 K-5 2008-2009 $7,100.00 353 1-5 2009-2010 $6,300.00 387 1-5

Pennsylvania Guidelines APPENDIX B: Budget as an Essential Element Recommended Budgetary Expenditures per pupil per year (p.21) Books – Elementary School School Year Book Budget Student Enrollment Minimum $17.51 Standard $18.78 Exemplary $19.20 2006-2007 $8,500 407 $7,126.57 $7,643.46 $7,814.40 2007-2008 $7,800 446 $7,809.46 $8,375.88 $8,563.20 2008-2009 $7,100 353 $6,181.03 $6,629.34 $6,777.60 2009-2010 $6,300 381 $6,671.31 $7,155.18 $7,315.20 2010-2011 $6,600 387 $6,776.37 $7,267.86 $7,430.40

Library Bill of Rights “ books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library services.”

“ The library media program must provide access to all the information and instruction that students and others need for active, authentic, information-based learning. The school library media program requires a budget that supports the continuous collection of information in all formats and that provides the instructional infrastructure that will help students learn to use that information in creative, meaningful ways. ” Information Power (1998)

Information Power Program Administration Goals “ Administer the budget according to sound accounting procedures to meet all informational and instructional needs and report all expenses as required by local policies.” (Goal Two) “ Investigate and use financial methods and resources to meet the information needs of the learning community, including centralized processing, purchase discounts, partnerships with local organizations, and collaborative grant writing for special purchases and programs.”(Goal Four)

What vendor provides the most resources for the lowest price? Action Research Question School Money Vendor More books More readers Higher achievement

88.9 % use Follett Library Resources Other vendors listed by school librarians were: Permabound, Gumdrop, Bound To Stay Bound, World Almanac, Junior Library Guild, Gale, Garrett, and more.

Follett’s Titlewave online ordering tool is used the most.

$601.70

22 books were priced at a 40% savings 25 books were priced at 20% savings 2 books were priced at 5% savings

$751.78

Book List Price Comparison(4/8/09) Author Title Baker & Taylor Mackin Follett Appelt Underneath $13.63 $14.95 $14.44 Bishop Frogs $14.39 $15.65 $15.29 Frost Monarch and Milkweed $14.39 $15.83 $15.29 Gaiman Graveyard book $10.79 $16.19 $15.29 Gerber Winter Trees $12.76 $15.76 $13.56 Krommes House in the Night $10.20 $14.96 $14.45 Singer Eggs $13.56 $16.10 $16.10

“ As a result of the continuing budget squeeze, acquisition librarians continued to focus on approval plans, firm orders and discounts to trim costs.”(Dunham)

“ Librarians, don’t underestimate the extent of your power over school and/or school district book purchases, whether you or someone else places orders. Be proactive. The authenticity of a child’s learning experience is a stake. Educators need to learn about good books, and with your expertise, you’re the best person to make it happen.” (St. Lifer)

Work Cited American Association of School Librarians. Information Power Building Partnerships for Learning . Chicago: American Library Association, 1998. Dunham, Barbara S., and Trisha L. Davis. 2008. "Literature of Acquisitions in Review, 1996- 2003." Library Resources & Technical Services 52, no. 4: 238-253. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts , EBSCO host (accessed February 18, 2009). "Kids! Song," American Library Association, April 04, 2007. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/initiatives/kidscampaign/kidssong.cfm (Accessed April 24, 2009) Document ID: 369420 Lance, Keith Curry. Measuring Up To Standards: The Impact of School Library Programs & Information Literacy in Pennsylvania Schools . Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries. February 2000. Pennsylvania Guidelines for School Library Programs . Pennsylvania Department of Education. January 2005. “ SLJ’s Average Book Prices 2009.” School Library Journal , March, 2010. St. Lifer, Evan. 2004. "Your Impact on Book Buying." School Library Journal , September . 11. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts , EBSCO host (accessed February 22, 2009).