Goals and Challenges

Completing the library science certificate program and working as an intern at NALIS, the National Library of Trinidad and Tobago, has made me realize the importance of organizing a library for maximum usage.

Immediate goals include the following:

1. Devising a plan for reviewing books on the library shelves to make sure that they are cataloged correctly

2. Checking the subject headings and adding to the subjects so that the teachers can find more resources for what they are teaching

3. Encouraging more participation in the Library Book Club so that more students can develop a love for reading. The Book Club needs to address the challenge of lower level readers and readers who are in transitional stages.

4. Running more statistical reports on Follett, such as reports on how many times a book has been checked out ,so that I have more data to work with and I can build the collection in a more systematic and objective manner.

5. Creating better links to resources that are in the library. Teachers are not always aware of the many resources that link to their curriculum, and this has to be pointed out on a continuous basis.

One of the main challenges ahead is to deal with a staff that is used to having a library with a generous budget. Staff feels that anything and everything should be ordered and some teachers do not use what they have ordered.

Another challenge is to get students to use EBSCO more. Many teachers are still not requiring the use of EBSCO in their classes. A top priority is helping students and teachers to become more efficient researchers by utilizing on-line resources in an effective manner.

I still see my main challenge as getting students to develop a love for reading, and this will lead me to find better ways to learn about literature the world has to offer.