Science Reference Collection Review

8/7/2019 Science Reference Collection Review

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A. H. Dawson

Science Reference Collection Review

As I began the review of the science reference collection, I quickly recognized

the futility of doing just a physical review. I visited the media center and visually

handled many of the science reference materials. The materials are in good

physical shape. The media specialists at my school routinely weed the materials

and try to keep them updated as much as possible.

Since there are about 20,000 items in the collection, browsing was not a wise

use of time and effort in evaluating the overall collection for my topic. I proceeded

to do a search of the collection using Destiny, which the online catalog for the

collection at my school and other schools and centers within Dekalb county Schools.

Each teacher is able to login in to Destiny to do a general search and advanced

searches. The educational media department’s professional library can also be

accessed through Destiny. Additional videos, books, maps, and instructional

materials can be requested and checked out for shipment to teachers for use in

their classrooms. In addition, there is a link to the Dekalb County Public Library

System to access and request materials. The login consists of a specific login for

the individual teacher and a password. Students are also able to login to Destiny

and search for items on a more limited basis than students. In a general search,

Destiny provides the title, author publication date, collection location and grade

level and Lexile levels for materials. There are links through Destiny to the Dekalb

County Public Library, Sirs Discoverer, united Streaming and Galileo to use in the

search for information.



I began the general search with science items. 1144 items emerged in the

search. I narrowed the search to science reference materials and videos. 124

items emerged from that search. I began by checking the items for currency. Of the

124 items in the reference collection related to science, four (4) items are older

than 1989. Sixty-seven items fit the range from 1990-1999, and fifty three items fit

into the range from 2000-2011. Concerns were raised because in science there are

ever evolving technology and developments and most of the SMS collection is

before the year 2000.

Science Reference Collection Analysis Based on Publication Date

Next, I examined the collection for coverage. The middle school science

standards cover in sixth grade-Earth science where the students study meteorology,

oceanography, and energy sources. In seventh grade the science curriculum

addresses life sciences. The focus is on biomes, ecosystems, heredity, genes,

natural selection, fossil records, and biological evolution. In eighth grade, the

science curriculum is physical science. The students focus on atomic theory,



periodicity, and the Laws of Conservation of matter and Energy. The general topics

of items in the curriculum seem to generally cover these items as you search using

Destiny.

However, I interviewed one of the science teachers and she made some

interesting comments about the collection. She stated that in general the collection

covered the basics. There are basic encyclopedias and books about animals and

specific topics, but the new science concentrations are not covered by the

collection. She said the new topics of alternative energy, energy conservation,

depletion of the Earth’s resources, global warning, and biomedical advances and

evolution are not covered in the current reference collection. She felt that

additional focus in the future should go toward addressing those needs. She also

felt that since so many of the students are visual learners the science video

collection needed updating.

In addition as I was reviewing the Georgia Performance Standards for the

middle school curriculum there was an emphasis on hands-on, student centered,

inquiry based instruction. In reviewing the SMS media center’s reference collection,

there were few items that dealt with laboratory based subjects or using laboratory

equipment. In fact, the oldest item in the collection was dated 1979. Its title,

Introduction to the Microscope and Laboratory, pointed out the need to really focus

on the acquisition of materials to update the science portion of the reference

collection.



Summary of Collection Needs

• I feel that the SMS media center science reference collection update focus

such be focused on the acquisition of items that will reflect the ever-changing

and evolving knowledge of science in all of its facets.

• I feel that any new acquisitions made should reflect the new science

discoveries and advancements. The purchases should be in alignment with

the Georgia Performance Standards for grades 6-8.

• Purchase on-line databases that can be accessed by more students and that

are more frequently updated to reflect recent changes and topics.

• New acquistions should include more references that will aid the teachers

and students with hands-on, student centered, inquiry based instruction and

learning.

Documents

Science Reference Collection Review