Annual Report as Advocacy Tool

The State Library's Annual Report is one of the best examples I have ever seen of an effective public relations tool. It is positive, informative, and attractive.

I am a big believer in the effectiveness of an annual report for school libraries to build administrative support. A few years ago, my Superintendent asked for one, and I admit that I resented the request. However, after I put together the report, I found it was very useful for me to see what areas I was emphasizing and what areas I was neglecting. The report also motivated me to keep better library statistics so that I could more effectively showcase what I was doing. At the very least, I was able to prove that I was, indeed, doing SOMETHING.

Putting together an annual report seems like an overwhelming task, but break it down into little bits by:

1. Start an Annual Report folder and throw pictures, examples of student work, and particularly interesting library events into it as you go through the year.

2. Keep statistics on traffic and circulation in your library. You take it for granted, but most people will be shocked by how much business you do. Your automated circulation system will take care of most of your circulation statistics. It is not necessary to keep track of everybody who comes to your library every day, just keep a tally once a week. Presumably you already have a record of the classes who visit the library and the projects they are working on. Google calendar really helps with this and everybody can see what is going on.

3. Play to your strengths and start small, building each year. The report does not have to be long, just punchy and informative.

As Doug Johnson says, "What gets measured, gets done." Proving to your administration that money spent in your library is going to pay student achievement dividends is well worth the time and effort, and you do not have to develop something as grand as the State Library annual report. 

Here are some examples of school library annual reports online.

Leschi Elementary School (WA)

Creekview High School Media Center (GA)

Springfield Township High School Library (PA)

BAA/Fenway Library (MA)

Lawrence High School Library (KS)

Orchard View Early Elementary (MI)

Council Grove High School Library (KS)

Tamarac Secondary School Library Media Center (NY)

Comments

[Buffy Hamilton]

Please see my new and improved version for 2009-10 at http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/the-unquiet-library-multimedia-annual-report-2009-10/.

Thank you!
Buffy Hamilton