1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary
Albany, Georgia
Media Center
Facilities Plan
FRIT 7132
Fall 2011
Presented by:
Jeanna Edge
2. Mission
To provide an educational program that will inspire all
students to: excel academically; achieve the
necessary skills to become a productive individual in
a global society; and achieve independence in
problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Motto & Facts
• School Motto: “Striving for Educational Excellence!”
• Title 1 Distinguished School
• School did not meet AYP for last two school years
School Mission, Motto & Facts
3. School Profile - Students
• Grades K-5
• 316 students
• 98% African-American; 2% Caucasian
• 95% economically disadvantaged
• 15% students with disabilities
4. School Profile – Teachers & Staff
• 2 administrators, 2 support personnel, 22
full-time, 4 part-time teachers (15 with
advanced degrees)
• Teachers average 16 years of experience
• 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio
5. Media Center Mission
The media center serves as the hub of the school,
providing a wide range of resources to promote reading
and the acquisition of information access skills in order to
promote and fulfill educational needs of its students and
faculty. The objectives or goals for the library media
center include the following:
• To encourage interest and proficiency in reading
• To provide an atmosphere conductive to learning
• To provide materials for the enrichment of educational,
recreational, and aesthetic values
• To plan instruction in units of studies through collaboration with
classroom teachers for effective use of the media center
• To provide guidance in the location and use of library media
materials
6. Media Center Profile
• 1 full time media specialist
• 1 full time media clerk
• Located at front of school directly across
from office and easily accessible to all
students and faculty
• Flexible Schedule
• Hours: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
7. Media Center Snapshot
• Circulations
– 737 Checked Out
– 349 Overdue
– 271 Lost
• Unpaid Fines
– 57
– $1,079.29
• Materials
– 9,465 Titles
– 11,528 Copies
– 26 Titles w/o copies
• Patrons: 676 total
– 650 Active
– 1 Restricted
– 25 Inactive
8. Top Titles
1. How to be a good dog – Gail Page
2. Cranberries – Inez Synder
3. K is for kissing a cool kangaroo – Giles Andreae
4. Leonardo the terrible monster – Mo. Williams
5. Memorial Day – Jacqueline S. Cotton
6. African Elephant – Edana Eckart
7. Alligators and crocodiles – Trudi Strain Trueit
8. Anastasia’s chosen career – Lois Lowry
9. Bubble gum, bubble gum – Lisa Wheeler
10.Diary of a spider – Doreen Cronin
9. Current Library Statistics
Circulations as
of 10/25/11
Today This Month This Year
Check outs 10 650 1508
In-library use 0 177 324
Renewals 0 11 23
Totals 10 838 1855
10. Use of the Media Center
• The MC shall be open each day from 7:30 am to 2:10 pm
The media specialist allows use of the MC from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
• The MC is accessible to all students and faculty at all
times
• Students coming to the MC individually or in groups of
three or fewer must have a media pass from their teacher
• Students coming to the MC must bring their AR logs and
any books to return; Students who come without a log will
be sent back
The media specialist does not send all students back who forget their
log; if they are not “repeat offenders” then they can just let the staff
know what their AR level is and continue searching for a book
11. Use of the Media Center
• Students can check out books using their ID badges or by
telling library staff their ID number
• Books are due in two weeks for all ages; students may
renew their books
• A student cannot have more than two books checked out
at one time unless special arrangements have been made
The media specialist allows specific students to check out more books
depending on their past use and patronage
• Student checkout/overdue notices will be sent home at
least once a month; If a student damages a book, a
damage letter will be sent home
12. Use of the Media Center
• If a student damages or loses a book, he/she will not be
allowed to check out another book until the book is
returned or the fine has been paid
The media specialist does not hold back access of checkouts for
children; she feels that mistakes happen and you are dealing with kids
so the school should not use any way to prevent a child from reading
• Students will not be allowed to take part in Field Day or
year end parties until library records have been cleared
The current Media Specialist does not withhold school rewards and
incentives for fines or damaged books
• Students should not borrow other students’ books
• Reference Materials may not be checked out from the MC
Some students are allowed to check out reference materials –
depends on the student
13. Faculty
• Faculty can check out 10
items and place holds for up
to 10 items
• Ceiling due date 5/17
• All items must be turned in
before for all extended
school holidays/breaks
• Loan Periods depend on
type of item:
– Equipment has a loan period
of 90 days
– Reference Material has a
loan period of 2 days
– “Regular” items have a loan
period of 14 days
Student
• Students can check out 2 items
and place holds for 1 item
• Ceiling due date 5/3
• All items must be turned in
before extended school
holidays/breaks
• Students can check out
“Regular” items only
• “Regular” items have a loan
period of 14 days
Patron Policies
Media Specialist states that depending
on the student, she will allow reference
materials to be checked out as well as
additional checkouts at a time
14. Payment for Lost/Overdue Item
Students who lose, destroy, or otherwise damage library media
materials may be assessed at the replacement cost of the items.
(Ga Law 1937, p896, #3; Law 1994, p1936, #2).
1. Library Media Center materials shall be paid for on the basis of
original/replacement cost of material. Materials may be discounted on the basis of
the age of condition of the material at the discretion of the principle or his/her
designee. When prices are not available a minimum of $15.00 shall be charged.
2. Students who return library media materials that exhibit wear in excess of
what could be attributed to normal use may be assessed damaged. This damage
charge shall not be more than the original cost of the materials. The charge for
books so damaged will be left to the discretion of the principal or a designee. A
$1.00 fine will be charged for EACH damaged or missing barcode label, spine label
and AR label.
3. When the exact title cannot be replaced, similar items may be substituted.
The media specialist states that at MLK fines and damage costs are assessed and
letters are sent home but due to the poverty level of the school, the majority of fines are
never paid. She does not limit items due to fines. She feels that all fines should be
written off at the end of the year to prevent other staff from prohibiting use of the MC.
15. Lost / Overdue Materials
• Students who transfer either within or outside of the
Dougherty County School System who owe for lost,
destroyed or damaged media materials may have their
report cards and transcripts withheld until restitution is
made (1994 Georgia law 20-2-1013).
• Students who are not financially able to pay for lost or
damaged materials shall be allowed to make restitution
in the form of voluntary services.
• A student shall be refunded the full amount paid for lost
books upon the return of the material in acceptable
condition.
• No fines are charged for weekend or school holidays.
16. Media Center Policies
Orientation
• Orientation is held for all
classes during the first
two weeks of school.
• The media specialist will
teach information access
ad research skills at any
time during the school
year, at teacher request.
Behavior
• Students are expected to
exhibit proper behavior in the
MC.
• Teachers must remain with
and control their class while in
the MC.
• Students K – 2 will be walked
back to the classroom if a
discipline issue arises.
• Students 3-5 will be sent back
to their classroom after a call is
made to the teacher to explain
why materials were not
allowed.
17. Technology / Video use
• All students, parents, and faculty are expected to follow
copyright law and guidelines in regard to the use of all
materials, print, and nonprofit.
• School computers are to be used to enhance student
instruction.
• Students are not to change programs or print articles
without teacher permission.
• If a student tampers with a computer program or
abuses a computer, he/she will lost the privilege of
using the computer.
• Copyright law states that any videos or DVDs used in
the classroom must be tied to the curriculum.
18. Reconsideration of Materials
The school media center shall respect the rights of
individuals from the community to question selection in
the media center or school. If a member of the
community questions a selection, the teachers,
principal, media specialist and school media committee
shall follow the instructions for handling challenged
materials as stated in the Instructional Media Policy of
the DCSS.
19. Board Policies for MC
• Media Programs
In compliance with State Board rules, the Superintendent
shall insure that media committees are established at
each school and at the system level.
• Development of Procedures
The Superintendent shall develop procedures for
selecting materials, handling requests for
reconsideration of materials, considering gifts of
instructional resources, using non-school owned
materials, and complying with copyright laws.
• Media Contact Representative
The Superintendent shall appoint a media contact
representative to serve as a liaison to the State DOE.
20. Board Policy
• Media Center Implementation
Each media center shall develop a schedule for
accessibility to the media center.
The Media Committee shall make recommendations
relative to planning, operation, evaluation and
improvement of the media program. This committee
shall annually evaluate media services and develop a
multi-year plan.
Collaborative planning by staff and media specialist
shall support on-going classroom instruction and
implementation of the state-adopted curriculum.
21. Media Center Location
Entrance View from School Entry
•Doors are on main corridor
•Doors are recessed from the
hallway
•Located across from school
office and can be seen from
front entrance of school
23. •Circulation desk is located at
the front of the media center
•The media specialist’s office is
next to the circulation desk
Circulation Desk
•Desk allows for media specialist
and media clerk to have space to
work simultaneously
•Entire media center can be seen
from desk. Rows of books are
perpendicular to desk so view of
walkways is easy to see
24. •Seating can accommodate full
class sizes; current set up
allows for 38 seats at tables
•Tables are lightweight and
can be rearranged easily
Seating Area
•Tables must remain on this side of
media center as bookshelves take
up most of center and cannot be
moved
•Tables can accommodate faculty
meetings without rearrangement
25. •6 computer stations are
available for use in the MC
•No printer or scanner access
is available for students in MC
Computers
•4 Computers are set up in one
area
•2 additional computers are
available for use at the circulation
desk
26. Work and Storage Areas
5 office spaces are located in the MC
• Media Specialist Office
• Workroom
• Conference Room – open for staff use
• Storage Room – secures laptops, TV carts, cameras, etc.
• Media Production Room
•Work Room includes
laminator and diecut for
teachers.
•All scantron tests are
graded in work room by
Media Specialist and/or
Media Clerk
•Server is located in
workroom
•Media Production
Room stores all VHS
and DVD materials
•Electronic Distribution
System is available by
teacher request
27. Bookshelves / Stacks
View from Circulation Desk
•All AR books are arranged according
to AR level
•Non-AR books are arranged in
traditional form: Nonfiction,
FIC – Easy Books, FIC – Chapter
Books
•Reference materials and periodicals
line back wall
28. Student Surveys
How often do you come to the
Media Center?
At least once a day
Once a week
2+ times a month
Once a month
Hardly ever
14%
43%
29%
9%
5%
33. Student Survey
What do you like most about the media
center? Responses:
• The books
• The computers
• The quietness
• The Media Specialist
• The welcoming feeling
34. Student Survey
What do you dislike most about the Media
Center? Responses:
• The books are hard to find
• The limit on the books you can get
• You have to be quiet
35. Student Survey
Funny Responses
• Pool table, Foosball
• Fair
• Fun Park
• Race Car
• Xbox, Wii
• Pizza Hut, Papa John’s,
Subway, McDonalds
• Food & Fun
Serious Responses
• Ipads instead of computers
• New computers
• More computers
• New Books
• Comfy furniture
• Flat screen TVs
What would you like to see in a NEW
and IMPROVED Media Center?
36. Faculty Survey
• How do your students most use the media center? –
83.3% stated the entire class visited
• How often do you plan instructional units that require
the use of the MC? – 66.7% stated Frequently
• The media specialist responds to my suggestions for
purchases. – 83.3% stated Always
• The climate of the library is appropriate for learning. –
83.3% stated Extremely Appropriate
• I find the library staff helpful and friendly – 83.3% stated
Always
37. Faculty Surveys
• What would you change or improve about
the MC?
– More Computers
– 2 media clerks needed; current one is pulled to be a
sub to many days
– More AR tests
– Larger Budget
– Media Production Area – photography, music,
movies, etc.
– Self Checkout
– Relaxing Reading Area
38. Faculty Survey
• The media specialist understands my curricular needs –
83.3% stated Extremely True
• I plan cooperatively with the media specialist for
scheduling classes, equipment use, and the
development of instructional units – 66.7% stated
Frequently
• The MC has adequate equipment to support my
instructional program – 66.7% stated Extremely True
• The library is critical to the learning environment of our
school – 83.3% stated Extremely Critical
39. Needed MC Improvements
Issues: Morning Show area takes
up valuable space
Solutions:
Expand Media Production Room by tearing
down shared wall with Work/Server Room
to create new Morning Show Studio
40. Needed MC Improvements
Issues: No soft reading area
Solutions: Use space from previous
Morning Show set up
Purchase items to create an
inviting and comfortable area
Items to be purchased:
•Floor Pillows and area rug
•Sofas/Bench seating
•New storage area for games and
manipulatives
•Puppet Show stage
41. Needed MC Improvements
Issues: Bookshelves are heavy
and take up more than
half of the center
Books are arranged
differently for AR and Non
AR books
Solutions:
•Rearrange all books in traditional library
manner, still using AR color codes
•Use shelf markers to identify new areas
•Add lock in place casters to all shelves in
order to allow for movement and more
diverse use of the center
42. Needed MC Improvements
Issues:
Storage areas need to be weeded
and organized
Storage of old materials is seeping
out into the bookshelves on the
main floor
Solutions:
Paperwork completed for pick up of old
materials
Volunteer/staff support to maintain
organization
43. Needed MC Improvements
Issues:
•Limited number of computers
•No printer access
•Projector and screen position does not
allow all seated to easily view
•Windows and natural light make it hard to
use center to show films, presentations
•Interior windows right by seating allow for
distractions
Solutions:
•Shorten circulation desk to add new
computer area
•Create hallway to connect MC to computer
lab
•Add two printers for student use
•Reposition projector and screen
•Add remote control screens to windows
•Remove lower pane from windows
New placement for
screen
