2. “Providing
support and “Providing intellectual and
instruction for BA physical access to materials
Providing instruction to
stakeholders as
foster competence and
we strive to meet stimulate interest in reading,
viewing, and using
our school wide information
mission” Working with educators to
design learning strategies to
meet the needs of individual
students” (BA Media Center
Handbook, p. 3).
3. Serves K-12: Staffed by
◦ 225 elementary ◦ 1 full-time media
students specialist
◦ 118 middle grades ◦ 1 part-time media
students clerk
◦ 139 high school ◦ Various high school
students Seniors working as
student aids
4.
5. Students want: Teachers want:
◦ More books ◦ An organized work room
◦ Laptops ◦ More books
◦ A comfortable place
to read
To mix a metaphor, Bulloch Academy’s Media Center is a space that
wears many hats. It must serve four distinct groups: elementary
students, middle grades students, high school students, and their
teachers. Obviously, expanding the collection and adding more new
titles would be one of the first steps in giving the library an update.
However, the media center could also use an overall facelift to
achieve a more modern, inviting atmosphere. Each population
served needs to feel at home in the media center. This can be
achieved by creating spaces that appeal uniquely to each group, such
as a fun and colorful story time area for the kids and a cool new
reading lounge for the teenagers.
6.
7. I would upgrade the desk itself
and be sure to add a book return
chute to cut down on clutter and
confusion as to where to sit
books upon returning them.
The library needs a bigger clock.
The current one is hard to locate
and to read, especially at a
distance
The printer is inaccessible to the
elementary students because of
its height on the desk. I would
move this to a separate printer
station.
The signs and posters are
outdated and mismatched. I
would replace these with themed
artwork, perhaps of oversized
book covers.
9. The office is in need of
storage. This could be
provided via shelving and
cabinets.
Small touches such as
adding a floor lamp and rug
could also make the office
feel more inviting and less
confined.
10. 9 round tables
4 chairs per table
Spread out between
the stacks and the
circulation desk
11. Replacing the round tables with six
rectangular tables would allow
them to be arranged into more
configurations for collaborative
work.
The heavy wooden chairs would
also be replaced with light weight
ones that will be easier to move
during group work.
I would also move the tables to the
left of the stacks.
In order to create a presentation
area, I would mount both a
projector and a retractable screen
to the ceiling in the area where the
tables would now be located.
12. The media center currently
lacks any comfortable place
to sit and read for pleasure.
By rearranging the shorter
bookcases in the stacks
slightly, such an area could
be created by adding a
“sofa” such as the one
pictured. This unit has a
style that would appeal to
the older students but
would also still be
accessible to the younger
students.
13. 22 computers
Line the right and
left walls
1 printer on
circulation desk
14. Because the computers are
currently on both the left
and right sides of the media
center, teachers have to
constantly go back and
forth while their classes
work. I would move the
computers to the right side
of the media center and put
them in configurations of 4
per table.
I would also replace the
large, clunky monitors with
new flat-screen monitors.
5 laptops would be
purchased to be used
throughout the library.
15.
16.
17. Suggestions for
Improving the Storage
Room
Teachers at BA give up This room is starting to
their classrooms for one be overrun with unused
period a day. This projector carts since the
means that most classrooms have updated
teachers spend at least to other technology and
an hour in the media no longer require them.
center every day. They They should be removed
often work in the table and disposed of.
area but are interrupted By removing the wall
by classes coming in and between the teacher
out. work room and this
It is especially important room, one large space
that the teacher work could be created and
room be organized and dedicated to teacher use.
inviting.
18. This room has been used as a dumping ground for out-dated and
unused equipment such as the large TV carts. This surplus equipment
is blocking access to the audio and video materials. These TV carts
should be cleared out and disposed of. Shelving could be added to the
wall next to the server to provide more organizational space.
19.
20. As it is now, the story area consists of a
rug and a broken bench.
The elementary students need a defined
space with comfortable, kid-friendly
seating.
I would add step seating like the one
pictured. Creating a space for this
would involve some remodeling by
removing the walls of the conference
room. (The conference room is rarely
used as it is. Any meetings that occur
in the library are generally conducted in
the table area.)
This particular unit also has shelving
which could serve as a place to
spotlight seasonal books or to highlight
books by a particular featured author.
21. To further create a space dedicated
to the elementary students, I would
frame the entrance to the story area
with two sets of these curved
bookcases.
I would house the picture books and
elementary nonfiction on these
shelves.
Also, adding cushions such as the
ones pictured would add additional
seating options for pleasure reading.
24. All language is taken directly
from the Bulloch Academy
Media Center Handbook.
25. 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday
“The Media Center is open to all students
throughout the school day. The automated
circulation system and catalog make
accessibility to the library collection available
to students at all times. Books, computers,
computer software, audio-visuals, cassettes,
and other materials offer a variety of learning
resources” (p. 3).
26. “Library books are signed out for two weeks. Books may be
renewed as needed. There are no fines for overdue books.
Overdue notices will be sent to teachers after two weeks and
then a follow up. After that point, we will assume the book is
lost, and the student will be billed for the replacement cost.
Teachers may pull materials as needed, and are asked simply
to return them promptly. You will receive an overdue notice
if an item is out for more than two weeks. Please view this
simply as a reminder. If you need the item longer, please
notify the Media Center” (p. 4).
27. “Book Checkout: 2-4 students at a time (return a
book and select a new one)
Reading: 2 students at a time (can be used as a
reward to come and read book)
Research: 4 students at a time
Computers: 2 students at a time (for word
processes, graphic design, or software exploration)
Internet Access: 2 at a time (Students should have
a research goal that correlates with class work.
Random surfing will be limited to the first 10
minutes of the period.)” (p. 4).
28. “You can sign up your class or part of your
class for use of various areas of the Media
Center. Schedule early to get the time slot
you want. You lead the group in an activity
that you plan” (p. 5).
29. “The primary basis for inclusion in the collection shall be the
present or projected contribution to curricular needs.
Attention shall also be given to the quality of the media,
clarity of presentation, integrity of treatment, instructional
design and appropriateness for the instructional and maturity
levels of students to be served.
Critical reviews from reputable, professional publications
and/or personal examination or recommendations by
teachers or the media committee shall be the primary bases
of selection” (p. 5-6).
30. “Other factors to be considered are:
◦ Requirements of the copyright law
◦ Formats to vary content presentation
◦ Instructional and ability levels
◦ Representation of various ethnic, cultural and
religious groups
◦ Replacement of damaged or lost materials which
continue to have instructional value
◦ Updating obsolete data
◦ Cost in relation to learning benefits, the number of
potential users and a comparison of comparable
items
◦ Established selection criteria for particular formats
◦ Materials available from other sources” (p. 6).
31. “All gifts of instructional materials or
equipment shall be subject to approval by the
BA Media Specialist and shall be subject to
the same criteria as purchased media. These
materials shall be subject to review for
continued applicability to the school’s
instructional program using the same criteria
for purchased materials” (p. 6).
32. “Careful evaluation and selection of media by
qualified school personnel does not insure
acceptance by all segments of the school
community. Therefore, occasional complaints
may be made concerning appropriateness. A
fair and orderly procedure for addressing
such concerns has been established through
the adoption of the Bulloch Academy
Reconsideration of Materials form” (p. 6).
33. “Internet access is available throughout the
school. Students who wish to use the Internet
at BA must have on file an Acceptable Use
Policy, signed by the student and their
parent/guardian. A master list of students
with Internet permission is kept in the Media
Center” (p. 6).
34. “The internet may be used in the media center only with a
signed and dated permission form that is issued by a
classroom teacher and that states the specific educational
objective being explored. This form must be presented to the
media specialist and approved before students will be allowed
to log on” (p. 7).
“Students will not be allowed to access private e-mail
accounts or participate in chat rooms through school
computers; however a classroom account may be set up to
meet specific educational objectives set forth by the teacher.
In such cases, students and parents will be required to review
and agree to additional school policies designed to ensure
the legality of actions and personal safety of all students” (p.
7).
35. Sending or displaying offensive Employing the network for
messages or pictures commercial purposes
Using obscene language Posting personal contact
Harassing, insulting or information about your or
attacking others other people, this includes
Damaging computers or addresses, telephone numbers,
computer systems, both etc.
hardware and software E-mail will not be used at
Violating Copyright laws school by students
Using others’ passwords Plagiarizing works that are
Trespassing in others’ folders, found on the Internet
work or files Students will not use any type
Intentionally wasting limited of program over the Internet
resources, including the that requires you to logon such
downloading of large files as Yahoo, Messenger, MSN
without prior teacher approval Messenger, etc.” (p. 8).
36. At first glance the policies regarding internet access may
seem overly restrictive, particularly when compared to some
public schools; however, these policies do represent the
values of Bulloch Academy.
While I agree with other policies set forth in the Media
Center Handbook, I feel that a few points could use further
clarification. For instance, what happens if a teacher loses
on item? Is he or she financially responsible for replacing
the item? The circulation policy does not make this clear.
Also I feel that it would be beneficial in the long run to
articulate a policy specifically on cyber-bullying.
