There’s a whole lot of CRAZY going on right now in my work life. Typically, I like to keep the library open as long as possible, I always make exceptions for kids who need just one more book (LOTS of exceptions, okay…), and some form of an inventory happens. Not this year, though. I’m now in the process of hunting down books students still have checked out. Next week I will be doing a thorough inventory, cleaning up the records in Destiny, and getting the collection in pristine order. The following week, the cases will be delivered that I will use to pack up the collection for the move. The idea of doing all of this is overwhelming and makes me anxious, but I know it will be wonderful to have a solid inventory and clean records. And it will be a beautiful thing when everything is settled in at the new school.
Oh yeah, and on top of the move, our principal is retiring and we’re currently on the roller coaster ride that is the process of having our new principal selected. I’m not going to get into all of that, let’s just say it isn’t helping my current level of anxiety at all. I do want whoever is selected to be our new leader to really “get” what I’m all about and what our library aims to do. So I made a super extra special End of the Year Library Report that they will get a nice copy of to peruse at their leisure. Check it out:
I put it together in Comic Life, my FAVORITE program to use when designing posters, fliers, handouts, etc. And I messed around in Photoshop for a while and created those nifty graphics for circulation stats and library visits. This was such a great way for me to reflect on this year. There are always times where I think, “Have I really done anything productive this year??” Looking back on this year with this report, the answer is, “UM YEA!” I really feel like a lot was accomplished especially with introducing our gaming and going nontraditional in both fiction and nonfiction shelving! We’re going to go ahead and label this year a success.
AND speaking of SUCCESS — Yesterday I graduated from Northwestern State University of Louisiana with my Master’s degree in Educational Technology Leadership with a 4.0 GPA! Being able to share the day with my friend and CMS ELA teacher made it even sweeter.
 
What a wonderful report, Tiff, both visually and in all the amazing things you’ve done. This is definitely one to share as far and wide as you can to your constituents and as a model for us TLs. Your new principal should be very impressed. I’ve been using Prezi for status reports, but this may inspire me to convert to Comic Life! And, congratulations on your Masters degree.
Wow! That end-of-year report looks great and is a true inspiration. Good luck with your library move.
Dear Tiff –
First of all, congratulations on achieving your Master’s Degree! Yippee!!! All that hard work is over.
Second, I love, love, love your end of the year report. It’s bright and cheery and reader friendly. Would you mind if I adapt some of your ideas? That is, if I get time before the end of the year.
I moved out of my library last year, and the best thing I did, was do a thorough inventory in the process of packing. I touched every book and it either got inventoried and put in a box, or weeded and into a different box! I also carefully labeled each box so when I had to unpack, anyone could look at the box and help me.
Lastly, are you going to ISTE#12? I remember some of the tips you shared from last year, and now need to hunt and find them! I would love to meet f2f in San Diego.
Enjoy the rest of the year-
Julie