Environmental Scan Checklists and Suggestions
Article
This systematic process is a scan of “what’s out there,” and you can use it to help inform decision-making processes in your school library. The term is applied commonly in academic and public library settings. From Hayman and Smith, who describe environmental scans as a useful step in decision-making related to emerging educational technology in libraries,
Environmental scanning involves acquiring, evaluating and utilizing information from a variety of sources, which can then be adapted and applied within individual or organizational contexts. (2015).
You might think of the environmental scan as a way to gather background information, or as a “pre-search” level of homework. The information you’re seeking pertains to events and needs both within and outside the school. Note than an environmental scan can accompany a needs assessment, which may include gathering data directly from stakeholders. Sometimes you will see survey methods utilized as part of an environmental scan; interpretations and applications of these information-gathering processes may differ.
Consulting this checklist is one approach to constructing your environmental scan. The aim is to gather information on school and community needs, resources, concerns, and trends, as well as groups and people to think about in your planning. Some information you may know already, and you can add this to your collection from the start. Other information may require some research. In aligning your planning with the information you collect through the scan, you can build upon or complement existing initiatives, utilize resources effectively, and possibly avoid duplication, either in effort (e.g., planning a literacy night when a very similar event is in motion from the ELA department) or in tapping out sources (e.g., asking the same community group for help soon after a similar request).
Current events within and external to school are of interest. Demographic information will be helpful here, as well as in other library program planning (such as collection development). In fact, all of the information you collect in the scan can be maintained, updated, and expanded upon for consideration in future planning projects.
Environmental Scan Table 1. Community and school information, with potential sources.
| student demographics | U.S. Census data; school information |
| community demographics | U.S. Census data |
| current events | Regional/local/community news sources; school- or district-level communications |
| areas of need for community organizations or local businesses; community organizations or local businesses seeking to provide grants or offer services | Local news or community sources; Chamber of Commerce; town or city websites |
| parent group activities and interests | Meeting agendas or notes, newsletters, websites, information from members |
| student test scores and student needs | School-hosted data; state department of education resources |
school-wide initiatives and concerns (see below for more suggestions) | school mission statement and vision statement; your knowledge as a staff member; faculty meeting agendas or notes; school website, calendar, and newsletters; communications and calendars from school leaders and educators |
Another related approach to the processes suggested in Table 1 is to find out about recent or traditionally held programs and events by topic or group, and related details. This may be especially important if you are new(er) to your school. Here are some examples.
Environmental Scan Table 2: Considerations for information pertaining to school programs and events.
| In-person parent/caregiver events (literacy, STEM or STEAM, curriculum, etc.) | Who was involved? Was the event a one-time session or series? What was the participation or turnout? What feedback was received? Would facilitators be interested in connecting this program to the library learning community? |
| Parent/caregiver resource collections or offerings | Where are the resources provided? In what language(s) is the information offered? Who maintains the information? What information is gathered as to its use or effectiveness? How was the need for the information determined? |
| School-level or grade-level special events with students | What events are held? What grade levels or departments are involved? When do events typically take place? What formats or structures have been used over the years, and what is in place now? |
| Connections to community organizations and/or local businesses | What organizations are existing school partners? In what ways are partnerships utilized: events, donations, services? What organizations have been approached successfully or unsuccessfully for support previously? What are district guidelines for community outreach? |
Hayman, Richard and Erika E. Smith. “Sustainable Decision Making for Emerging Educational Technologies in Libraries.” Reference Services Review 43, no. 1 (February 5, 2015): 7–18.
About the Author
Email: rmorris@schoollibraryconnection.com
Twitter: @rebeccajm87.
MLA Citation
Morris, Rebecca J. "Environmental Scan Checklists and Suggestions." School Library Connection, June 2016, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Article/2022636.
https://schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Article/2022636?topicCenterId=0
Entry ID: 2022636