The media specialist conducted an evaluation of the school's media center using a state rubric. The evaluation covered 5 categories: student achievement and instruction, staffing, facilities/resources, administrative support, and staff development. The media center received ratings of proficient or exemplary in most areas. For the few proficient areas, action plans were provided to improve the ratings to exemplary. The evaluation found the media center to be strong overall with no basic ratings.

1. Memo
To: Mr. Toriano Gilbert, Crisp County High School Principal
From: Chiquisha Tomlin, Crisp County High School Media Specialist
Date: February 11, 2011
Subject: Media Center Evaluation
The purpose of this memo is to inform Crisp County High School administration of the
results of the yearly evaluation of the media center. The Georgia DOE Library Media
Program Self-Evaluation Rubric was used to conduct the evaluation. The media center
was evaluated in the areas of student achievement and instruction, staffing, facilities,
administrative support and staff development. The media center was rated according to
three levels of proficiency: basic, proficient and exemplary. The score received in each
category and an explanation of performance is provided in this memo. A basic action
plan has been provided for any area identified as basic to ensure improved performance.
Additionally, an action plan for one category scored proficient has been provided to move
this area to a rating of exemplary.
Category 1: Student Achievement and Instruction
There are six indicators in this area. The first evaluates how efficiently the Information
Literacy Standards, as defined in QCC Standards, are integrated into content instruction.
The media center was given a rating of proficient in this area. The media specialist
works to integrate Information Literacy skills into the curriculum by displaying standards
for teachers and students to view. The media specialist conducts a media center
orientation to familiarize students with the collection and facilities. Furthermore, the
media specialist collaborates with classroom teachers to foster critical thinking skills and
independent inquiry.
The second indicator requires that the media specialist collaboratively plan with teachers
to ensure use of library media center resources that support on-going classroom
instruction and implementation of state curriculum. The media center was given a rating
of proficient in this area. In an effort to ensure collaborative planning, the media
specialist attends department meetings to keep informed on major assignments and to
participate in discussions pertaining to standards. In an effort to advance the media
program to exemplary in this area, the media specialist will employ the following action
plan. First, the media specialist will increase department meeting attendance from one
meeting a month to two meeting per month. The media specialist will, at each meeting,
share at least one strategy to incorporate literacy skills into the classroom curriculum.
Additionally, the media specialist will increase knowledge of content standards and
national standards.

2. The third indicator mandates that the media staff be engaged in active teaching role/s.
The media center was rated as proficient in this area. Although the staff does engage
collaboratively with teachers, the media staff only shares in the teaching capacity
limitedly. To improve in this area, the media staff would need to use a variety of
teaching styles to meet diverse needs of students. Collaborative planning would need to
be done on a regular basis, to determine where and how a student assessment would take
place.
The forth indicator states that the library media center resources encourages and supports
reading, viewing, and listening. The media center was given a rating on exemplary in
this area. The media staff offers book focus groups and reading groups that promote
reading enjoyment. The media specialist acts as the school’s AR program administrator
and assists with reading lists mandated by high school teachers. Finally, the resources in
the media center reflect a wide variety of interests and perspectives.
The fifth indicator mandates that the media center provide services to students who have
diverse learning abilities, styles, and needs. The media center was given a rating of
exemplary in this area. The media specialist is knowledgeable about the different
frameworks and works, such as Lexile, to gather student data to design activities that will
lead to student achievement. Furthermore, the media staff works with teachers to identify
students with diverse needs.
The sixth indicator requires that the media specialist routinely assess student
achievement. The media center was given a score of proficient in this area. The media
staff utilizes student self-evaluations and rubrics. The media staff works in conjunction
with teachers to develop these assessments.
Category 2: Staffing
There are two indicators in this area. The first area states that a school system shall
provide no less than half-time services of a library media specialist for each school less
than base size and shall provide adult supervision in the library media center for the
entire instructional day. The media center was given a score of exemplary in the area.
Full time Library Media Specialist is employed and is not shared at any other time with
other areas in the school nor provides services outside the library media center. The LMS
is certified by the PSC.
The second indicator states that a school system shall employ a fulltime library media
specialist for each base size school or larger. The media center was given an exemplary
score in this area. Additional support personnel are employed in areas of the library
media program. Library media staff is always available throughout the instructional day
to assist teachers and students. Support staff is not shared in other areas of the school. A
full-time Library Media Clerk is on staff in the library media center.

3. Category 3: Facilities, Access, and Resources:
There are six indicators in this category. The first indicator states that there shall be a
plan for flexibly scheduled library media center access for students and teachers in
groups or as individuals simultaneously throughout each instructional day. Accessibility
shall refer to the facility, the staff, and the resources and shall be based on instructional
need. The media center was given a rating of exemplary in this area.
The second indicator states that the school library media center square footage
requirements based on FTE. The facility was given an exemplary rating in this area.
The third indicator states that central electronic media distribution system for television
and radio programs is available. The media center was given an exemplary score in this
area. The media center’s electronic distribution system meets state requirements.
The forth indicator mandates that print and non-print resources and access to online
information are basic to a library media program. A school network is effective for
delivering media resources to the classroom and beyond. Multiple computers are
available for student access to online resources that enhance instruction. The media
center was given an exemplary rating in this area. Students use library media center
technology independently for extended projects and information retrieval. The school has
several white boards located throughout the building and is used on a frequent basis.
The fifth indicator states that all library media resources are managed for maximum
efficient use. The library media center has an electronic online public access catalog
(OPAC). Funds for acquisition of computers are utilized to implement the
goals/objectives set forth in the System Three-Year Technology Plan or in the System
Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. The media center was given a proficient
rating in this area. The OPAC is available on a LAN throughout the school; however,
weeding is an ongoing process. Suggestions can include recording all the resources in
MARC format so that access is available on the LAN.
The sixth indicator supports the national educational technology goal that states,
“Effective and engaging software and on-line resources will be an integral part of every
school’s curriculum.” The GALILEO on-line service provides Georgia students and
teachers access to exceptional on-line resources at no cost to the local school district. .
Searches performed in GALILEO databases will exceed one million annually and the
number of full content items viewed will exceed one million annually. The media center
was given an exemplary rating in this area. Staff Development is held to train the staff
on how to use GALILEO. Students are introduced to the program during a media center
orientation.
Category 4: Administrative Support
There are four indicators in this category. The first indicator states that the local system
superintendent shall appoint a system media contact person (SMCP) to serve as a liaison
to the department. The media center received an exemplary rating in this area.

4. The second indicator states that administrative staff support at both the school and district
levels is essential for the development of a strong library media program. The media
center received an exemplary rating in this area.
The third indicator requires that the board of education shall adopt a library media policy
that provides for the establishment of a media committee at the system level and at each
school. A library media committee makes recommendations and decisions relating to
planning, operation, evaluation, and improvement of the library media program. This
committee shall annually evaluate library media services and develop a multi-year media
plan for budget services and priorities. The media center received a rating of exemplary
in this area.
The forth indicator requires that local Board approved library media policy is current.
This policy requires development of procedures for the school system and for selecting
materials locally, handling requests for reconsideration of materials, considering gifts of
instructional resources, using non-school owned materials, and complying with the
copyright law. The media center received an exemplary rating in this area.
The fifth indicator mandates that each local school system shall spend 100 percent of the
funds designated for library media center costs. The media center received a proficient
score in this area. Suggestions made include seeking guidance from the advisory
committee. Long range strategic planning and supplemental funding plans are made
cooperatively.
Category 5: Staff Development
There is one indicator in this category. This indicator states that Staff development
opportunities are available both for the library media staff to enhance their own
professional knowledge and for the library media staff to provide information and
technology literacy skills to other teachers and administrative staff. Professional
resources and services for all faculty members are provided in the library media center
for the "learning community". The media center was given a proficient rating in this
area. Suggestions include the media specialist to continually seek to enhance professional
skills and participate annually in state and/or national conferences.
In summary, the media was strong in most of the areas. The media center received
mostly proficient and exemplary ratings and no basic ratings. An action plan to
strengthen the proficient areas has been provided.