The document provides a facilities improvement plan for the media center at Tattnall County High School. It summarizes the current conditions through photos and surveys of teachers and students, which identify the media center as cluttered, unorganized, and in need of updating. The plan proposes revisions like removing clutter, adding new furniture and shelving, installing a self-checkout system, and repairing issues like water damage. It also establishes policies around media center access, resources, and flexible scheduling to fully integrate the space into the school's instructional program. The goal is to organize the media center and maximize its utilization as a learning resource.

1. Tattnall County
High School
Facilities Improvement Plan
Curtis Gay
FRIT 7132
October 29, 2012
1

2. School Mission
The mission of Tattnall County High
School is to create an environment
that allows all students to become
responsible, productive and lifelong
learners.
2

3. School Description
• Tattnall County High School was established
and constructed in 1993.
• It is located on GA HWY 23 between Reidsville
and Glennville.
• Approximately 925 students (Grades 9-12 & Pre-K)
{13% Hispanic, 25% Black, 59% White, 3%
Other}
• 50+ faculty members
• One full time media specialist
3

4. School Map
4
The Media Center

5. View from the Commons Area
The Media
Center is
directly
across from
the main
entrance to
the school.
5

6. Current Facility Floor Plan
6

7. Entrance of the Media Center
7

8. Magazines / Reading Area
8
Laptop Cart
Boxes and Clutter

9. New Books Display
9
Cart blocking
the books
Boxes and clutter
behind the display

10. Computer for Student Use
10
There are 24 desktops and 10 laptops
in the media center to accommodate
an entire class.
T.V. Carts
Computers are
blocking the
reference
section.

11. Seating Areas
11
Five rectangular tables that
can seat up to 8 students.
3 of the 5 tables are almost
completely inaccessible due
to clutter.

12. Circulation Desk
12
Mrs. Russell, the LMS
checking out a novel
to a student.

13. The Stacks
13
There are just under 1,800 books housed in the Media Center,
and on average about 400 pieces are circulated per month.
Various, unused equipment and carts
are lined all throughout the stacks,
hindering access to the books.

14. The Stacks (continued)
14
All the fiction titles are lined around the wall of the Media
Center, while the nonfiction titles are on parallel shelves.
The entire floor is littered with
various obstacles for students.
This is not a wheelchair friendly
environment.

15. “The Junk Pile” (for lack of better words)
15
It is just a massive amount of books, hardware, and empty
boxes located in front of the full-length windows.

16. Projector & Screen
16
There is a very nice projector mounted into the ceiling above the rectangular
tables that displays on to a large pull-down screen in front of the windows.
However it is unattainable at this point in time, due to the “junk pile.”

17. The Reference Section
17
The reference section is not even
attainable. It is completely
blocked by the computer desks in
front of it.
Also notice all of the things just
“placed” on top of the shelves.
The cords create a hazard for
any student wishing to attempt
to locate something out of this
section of the media center.

18. View From the Circulation Desk
18

19. The A.V. Workroom
19

20. The A.V. Workroom
20
I could not tell what was
heads or tails in this room.
I did see the Channel One
television receiver, a copier,
and a laminating machine.

21. The A.V. Storage Room
21

22. The A.V. Storage Room
22
I was in total shock when I saw this room!!
It helped to explain some of the clutter
in the media center. Here was a room
with nothing being stored in it because
the ceiling is perpetually leaking!!! The
entire floor of the room is encompassed
with 3 large trashcans collecting water,
and the only things on the shelves are
magazines that can definitely be weeded.
When I asked various faculty members
about this room, many of them had never
set foot in it, much less were aware of
the ceiling.
This is a problem that definitely needs to
be addressed!!!

23. Media Specialist’s Office
23
There is little to no
space to sit and work at
the desk.

24. Media Specialist’s Office
24
An entire corner of
empty VHS boxes
Empty boxes just
lying around
Spare parts that have been just “lying
around” for almost a year

25. Conference Room
25
This is the entrance to the intended conference room,
but for many years has been used as a records room by
the testing coordinator. It remains locked, so I was not
allowed access for photos.

26. Media Center Survey
TCHS Media Center Survey
Teacher or Student (circle one)
Subject Taught (if a teacher) __________________ Grade (if a student) _____________
How often do you use the media center for any of its resources? What resources do you use?
Are there ample resources in the media center for our school? Why or why not?
What is your overall impression/opinion of the media center?
Is the media center being utilized to its fullest potential? Why or why not?
List some positive attributes of the media center.
List some negative attributes of the media center.
What is currently working well in the media center?
What are the two Most Urgent changes that are presently needed in the media center?
26
46 Students
surveyed from
grades 11 & 12
17 Teachers
surveyed from
various dept’s

27. Positive Teacher Survey Results
• Laminator
• Plenty of computers
• Student access
• Laptop carts
• “Good variety of titles for ELL/Spanish-speaking
students.”
• Bright/well lit
• Classroom sets of novels are housed in the media
center, which increases circulation
27

28. Negative Teacher Survey Results
• Cluttered (most popular
response)
• Unorganized
• Filthy
• “Hot Mess. I can’t bear to go
in there because the
disorganization gives me
anxiety.”
• Ellison Machine had to be
moved to teachers’ lounge
due to No Room
• LMS is a hoarder
• Classroom sets of novels need
to be replenished
• “The clutter does not let me
truly know all of the resources
available to me and my
students.”
• “The media center is a large
storage unit for outdated
magazines, VHS, and books
that no one checks out.”
• “It is a waste of space,
resources, money, and
personnel at this school.”
• Broken equipment lying
around
• Outdated books
28

29. Positive Student Survey Results
•Accessible/Open
throughout the day (most
popular response)
•Many computers
•Computer upkeep
29

30. Negative Teacher Survey Results
• Need more updated books
(most popular response)
• Mostly a hangout spot for
kids at lunch and break
• Not a friendly environment
• Student behavior in the
media center
• “Not many people go in
there.”
• “Media specialist is rude
and doesn’t like to help.”
• “We only use it for the
computers.”
• Books are in bad condition
• “It could be cleaned up.”
• “You can tell that not a lot
of care is going into it.”
• Computer stations
arrangement
• More space
• “Too much of a hassle to get
in it or get anything out of
it.”
• Easier system for checkout
• “Teachers never use it.”
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31. Revised Facility Floor Plan
31

32. Revisions To Be Made
32
I would eliminate the “Junk Pile”
and lay down an area rug for the
Pre-K students in front of the
large windows. This would allow
them to spend more time in the
media center as well.
As shown in the floor plan, I
would create a small section
of children’s books near the rug.
Carpet Bee Attitudes 5' 4"H x 7' 8"L
$290.00
www.gaylord.com

33. Revisions To Be Made
33
I would scatter a few of these roller chairs throughout the media center
where all of the T.V. carts and other things once were. They would allow
individual students to work or use a laptop without being in the way of
whole class instruction.
www.gaylord.com $1130.00

34. Revisions To Be Made
34
This would replace the 20 year old furniture in front of the
magazine rack near the entrance to the media center.
www.gaylord.com $1965.00

35. Revisions To Be Made
35
These tables made by Allusion would
replace all current tables in the media
canter. There would be 8 of them near
the reference section where the old
computers tables were located, and
there would be more on the other end of
the center, where the rectangular tables
once were.
Table Reading Allusion 29Hx42Wx42"D
www.gaylord.com
ALL tables in the media center will be
equipped with built in outlets. This will
eliminate cords, wires, and the need to
be near the wall (for an outlet.) 8
tables will be permanently housing
laptops, while the tables on the other
side of the media center will be
computer ready, if the need arises.
Access Center 4 Patron DF Hinged Lid
Hardwired Dual Circuit
$1100.00 $750.00

36. Revisions To Be Made
36
Two of these towers would be centered in the media center, where the
computer pod once was. They will house all of the new arrivals and
additions to the media center. This will attract students to the new
things that they are interested in much easier.
Displayer Revolving Three Sided 64H x 27
1/2W x 27 1/2"D
www.gaylord.com
$1180.00

37. Revisions To Be Made
37
My favorite addition to the media center would be to install a self-checkout system at
the circulation desk!! This would allow students to check books in and out of the
media center without having to wait for the media specialist. They would also be
able to check for fines that may be owed by them as well. This investment would
definitely free up some of the media specialist's time…
3M Self Check System 9410 BCS-Series w/ Software www.gaylord.com$6999.00

38. Revisions To Be Made
• Add a suggestions/comments box near the circulation desk. This way
students and teachers could give feedback and/or make requests for
resources in the media center. This is also a great way to let the LMS know
when books need to be replaced due to “wear and tear.”
• Weed through the magazines and periodicals. There are way too many
issues being kept for the space that is available.
• Make getting the roof repaired in the A.V. Storage Room my NUMBER ONE
PRIORITY!!! I would stay on the heels of the administration until this came
to fruition.
• Discard all of the outdated equipment and hardware that is not being
used. Discard all “broken” equipment. Work with the teachers and
administration to develop some kind of timeline that will determine how
long certain pieces/kinds of equipment will be housed in the media center
before they are to be removed.
• And last but Definitely Not Least……Get the Media
Center ORGANIZED!!!!!!!
38

39. Current Media Center
Facilities Policy
{NOTE: The Tattnall County High School has no official
written policies, so I used the policies from the previous
school that I worked at: Vidalia Comprehensive High
School}
• Accessibility: Each media center in the Vidalia City School
System will be accessible to individual students and groups
throughout each day of the school year. Media Centers will
open for use before classes begin in the morning , remain
open after classes end for the day, and provide sufficient
staffing to operate at all times of the day. The media center
will provide users with ways and efficient access to all
materials.
39

40. Current Media Center
Facilities Policy
• Cooperative Planning: Systematic and cooperative planning for media
services will involve decision-making by system and school media
committees which are representative of the total school community and
appointed by ranking administrators at both the system and school levels.
Media program planning and expenditures will be based on identified
media goals which reflect the system's educational goals and promote
maximum utilization of materials and equipment.
• Instructional Media and Equipment: Instructional media and equipment
will be selected, acquired, and used to implement the philosophy and
educational goals of the school system and to support the learning
activities designed for students. To promote maximum utilization, media
will be provided for all instructional levels and curricular content.
It will have a diversity of appeal, present various viewpoints, and be
provided in a variety of formats. It should (1)relate to the curriculum and
meet the developmental needs, varying interests, learning modalities, and
differing ability levels of students; (2)stimulate intellectual curiosity and
growth in factual knowledge; (3)promote broad awareness and reflect the
diversity of our country and the world.
40

41. Current Media Center
Facilities Policy
• Instructional Media and Equipment (continued)
Ample equipment will be provided and maintained to
promote maximum utilization of all available material
formats, to increase technological applications, and to
encourage incorporation of media into learning activities.
System- or school - owned media or equipment in use,
on order, or recommended for purchase that may be
questioned by educators, parents, students, or other
community residents will be handled through the
reconsideration procedure established by the school
system.
School-owned media and/or equipment will not be
loaned to non-school organizations. School personnel who
borrow media and equipment must assume responsibility
for damage, loss, and copyright compliance.
41

42. Current Media Center
Facilities Policy
• Implementation of Policy: The Vidalia Board of Education will have
final authority concerning all questions related to this policy. The
superintendent, or a designee, will make recommendations to the
Board of Education concerning policy and will exercise final
authority at the system level, concerning questions of
administrative procedure regarding selection, acquisition,
utilization, and retention of instructional media and equipment.
• Procedures: Written procedures for implementation of the media
policy for Vidalia City Schools comprise a portion of the total system
wide Instructional Media and Equipment Policy. The plan details
implementation procedures for personnel/staffing of the media
center; selection and evaluation of media; and purchasing,
processing, and utilization of media as developed by the system
media committee.
• Review and Revision of Policy and Procedures: This policy and
accompanying procedures will be reviewed each year and revised
when necessary.
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43. Additions to Media Center Policy
• Conduct in media center: The media center is not to be regarded as
a place where students may socialize. Respect for fellow students
should be evident in the maintaining of a quiet atmosphere. If
individual students choose to use the media center during his/her
lunch period, it is to be used for reference work, word processing,
research, or other, media business
• Printing of curriculum related materials may be done at no cost to
the student; however, a cost of $.50 per page for personal printing
will be accessed. Any student found printing inappropriate material
will be subject to disciplinary action.
• Confidentiality of Library Records: Records held in libraries which
connect specific individuals with specific resources, programs or
services, are confidential and not to be used for purposes other
than routine record keeping: i.e., to maintain access to resources, to
assure that resources are available to users who need them, to
arrange facilities, to provide resources for the comfort and safety of
patrons, or to accomplish the purposes of the program or service.
43

44. Additions to Media Center Policy
• Scheduling: Because the library media program is fully integrated into
the instructional program of the school, students, teachers, and media
specialists become partners in learning. It is vital that the library program
continue to be an extension of the classroom and function with a flexible
schedule. The wide range of resources, technologies, and services needed
to meet students learning and information needs are readily available.
Our philosophy requires that a flexible schedule must be maintained.
Classes cannot be scheduled in the library media center to provide teacher
release or preparation time. Students and teachers must be able to come
to the center throughout the day to use information sources, to read for
pleasure, and to meet and work with other students and teachers.
Flexible scheduling must be shared by the entire school community.
Administration supports the belief that the library program is an integral
part of the districts educational program and ensures that flexible
scheduling for library media centers is maintained in all buildings and at all
levels.
44

45. Tattnall County
High School
Facilities Improvement Plan
Curtis Gay
FRIT 7132
October 29, 2012
45