home  | site index  | campus e-mail  | search

The Role of the Library in Serving ESL Students: building an ESL Library Collection

Basic Skills Initiative Project Proposal for  March 15, 2009 to June 30, 2009

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

Introduction

At Cuyamaca College, we see more and more ESL students. Educated or illiterate, looking for a clerical job or hoping to get into graduate school, these ESL students all have one thing in common: they need to learn the English language and to become familiar with American culture and customs. So where do they go to find help? The ESL program at Cuyamaca College.

Purpose of this Project

            If this proposal is approved, the Library would be able to:
1) develop a list of ESL reading sources specific to Cuyamaca students  needs and interests and
2) investigate “best practices” for developing an adjunct training program for  ESL adjunct  instructors and adjunct librarians. 

            Cuyamaca College Library is now finding itself on the front lines with the ESL Program.  This project, if approved by the BSI committee, will expedite library services to the ESL Division. How would this proposal expedite library services to the ESL division? To illustrate, the Library has an ESL student coming to the library with a request: “I need a book for Level 2” or “I need a book for ESL 106”.  Without a specific request for a particular title, the library staff would walk the patron over to the collection of novels.  The student would then pick a book or two off the shelf and ask “Is this book right for my class?” At which time, we librarians are limited to the information published on the book, and refer the student back to the instructor. We librarians are not meeting ESL students’ information needs if we fail to support their information seeking behavior.

The objectives of this project is for both the ESL Division and the Library Division to:

·         gain a better understanding of the Library’s influence on the major areas of second language acquisition, which include listening, speaking, reading and writing

·         research the different grading schemes used by different publishers of ESL novels.

·         develop a better understanding of the ESL reading levels, especially for Library faculty who will select and evaluate potential ESL  novels.

·         build and revitalize the existing ESL Library collection. There is no such thing as a “one-size-fits all” or basic core collection

·         compile a list of ESL novels appropriate for ESL reading levels

·         investigate an orientation/training program for adjunct librarians and adjunct ESL instructors

·         work with the Web Designer to design a website,

·         investigate ways to physically arrange the ESL novels in the Library to make it more intuitive for students to use.

PROJECT PROPOSAL GOALS AND ACTIVITIES

·         Coordinating project between ESL Division and Library Division

o    Communicating knowledge of various ESL reading levels.

o    Discussing Library's current practices and ESL practices.

o    Identifying student needs and interests

o    Assessing the ESL reading program and Library collection.

o     Identifying Print and Non-print Materials

o    Appraising the best materials to purchase for library

o    Physical organization of ESL collection

o    Creating a website for the ESL collection

o    Work with the Web Designer to design a website

o    Organize reading materials on a website 

o    Publicize the list to all ESL and Library facultyEnd of list

3. PROJECT TIMELINE

The project will begin March 15, 2009  and end June 30, 2010.

March15, 2009 : 

• Meet with ESL coordinator to get a better understanding of the different reading levels of ESL students.
• Research reading levels and possible novel purchases
• Coordinate website design and content.

 April :

• Librarian coordinator to research other ESL collections, select materials.
• Web designer to create content for website.
• investigate ways to physically arrange the ESL novels in the Library to make it more intuitive for students to use
• Librarian, ESL coordinator , Webdesigner to evaluate and revise project website and content.

4. COST ANALYSIS:

ESL Reading Coordinator stipend: $350.00
Librarian Coordinator stipend: $ 350.00
Webpage designer: $1,300.00

5. DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE PROJECT SUPPORTS THE STUDENT SUCCESS AND RETENTION

• Encourage ESL and Library faculty participation in updating curriculum
• Increase ESL and Library faculty collaboration and communication within the four levels of ESL
•  Increase more open dialogue among ESL and Library faculty

6. NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND STAFF IMPACTED BY THIS PROJECT

Two faculty: one from the Library Program and one from ESL Program will be able to offer a  ESL Library reading list to students enrolled in all ESL courses.

7. DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE PROJECT WILL BE CONTINUED AFTER SPECIAL FUNDING ENDS

At the conclusion of this project, the Library coordinator and the ESL coordinator will work together to maintain and update ESL Library collection.

8. METHOD OF EVALUATING THE PROJECT

• ESL and Library faculty participants will self-report the effectiveness of their collaboration efforts. 
• Librarians and ESL faculty will assess current collection and determine if collection meets the needs of ESL student.

9. PROPOSED STIPEND REQUEST

We request $2,000.00