The document summarizes the current facilities and policies of the Atlanta Heights Charter School media center. It provides an overview of the existing space, surveys feedback on improvements needed, and proposes modifications to the floor plan including additional seating and shelving. It also outlines the media center policies of the National Heritage Academies network regarding student and teacher use, materials selection, copyright, and reconsideration of library resources.

1. Atlanta Heights Charter School
Media Center Facilities Plan
“Challenging Each Child to Achieve”
Mandy Fueston
Frit 7132
Fall, 2011

2. AHCS Media Center Profile
Serves approximately 570 students, Kindergarten
through sixth grades
Serves 40 faculty members
One full-time Library Technology Specialist

3. Media Center Location
The media center is centrally located on the main
hallway
The media center is connected to the computer lab

4. Entry Way
The main door of the media center is located in the
main hallway. To the left side of the door is a big
window.

5. Library Technology Specialist’s
Desk/Circulation Desk
The circulation
desk also
serves as my
desk. I have a
desktop
computer that
I use to check
out books but
also for other
general uses.

6. The Reading Area
This is the
area where I The picture below is of the
have reading spot with foam mats I
students place on the floor to keep the
meet on the kindergarteners in their places.
floor. I use
the easel to
write my “I
can “
statements
but also to
write notes.

7. The Stacks
You can see the This is the small reference
fiction, non- section along with the
fiction, and classroom sets of books and
everybody other teacher materials.
books in this
picture
This is the
young
adult
section

8. Seating
This is the only seating
that is available to
students other than to sit
on the floor or the green
bench. I use the tables
for center work or having
the students read
independently,

9. Storage
There are two places in the media center for storage.
One is in the library and the other is in the computer lab.
The computer lab storage cabinet is for AV materials,
whereas the storage cabinet is for library supplies,
bulletin board supplies, and school supplies.

10. Computer Lab
The computer lab is home to 30 computers. The
teachers may check out the computer lab during certain
times during the day. Computer instruction takes place
daily through the workshop style of teaching in the
media center.

11. Achievement Board
Every month I am
responsible for creating
an achievement board
to feature student work
that has made a 3.0 or
higher . The board is
located in the main
hallway in between the
entrance between the
media center and
computer lab.

12. Current Facility Floor Plan
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13. Survey Comments
A third grader requested that we have “fun places” to
read like a “bean bag” chair.
A few of the teachers (across multiple grade levels)
expressed an interest in having more computer lab
sign out times
A fifth grade student requested more “39 Clues”
books, whereas a fourth grade student wanted more
mysteries on the shelves.

14. Survey Results
76% of faculty and students believe that the media
center needs to be more inviting
65% of faculty and students surveyed believe we need
to have more reference materials
53% of faculty of student surveyed want more
periodicals
62% of faculty and students want more seating for
reading

15. Media Center Improvements
More inviting “reading spot”
Rectangle 13’x8’ $549.99
Demco.com
Rocking Chair $205
Schooloutfitters.com

16. • Media Center Improvements
Not enough seating for reading
Some options include:
4 Bean Bag Chairs $
38.77/piece 3 High Back Bean Bag 5 Square Floor Pillows
Classroomdirect.com Chair $49 $59.99
Classroomdirect.com Demco.com

17. Media Center Improvements
Organize Teacher/Professional Reference
There needs to be more room to organize materials so adding 2
more shelves under the window should give enough space for
organization.
2 Shelves 48” high
$414 Demco.com

18. Media Center Improvements
Students can look on each other’s computers while
taking AR tests
Solution is to have computer carrels
3 Computer carrels
$144.99 for starter and
$119 for additional.
Demco.com

19. Modified Facility Floor Plan
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document without a watermark .
Visit www.smartdraw.com or call 1-800-768-3729.

20. Current National Heritage Academies
Media Center Policy
At National Heritage Academies, we do not have a
formal policy where everything is centrally located.
Thus, Atlanta Heights does not have a policy either.
There are, however, different policies relating to book
selection, student use, and reconsideration of library
materials through NHA.

21. National Heritage Academies Media
Center Policy
Mission Statement
The mission of the library media program at National
Heritage Academies is to provide students and educators
equitable access to information, ideas, learning, and
teaching tools. The library media centers at National
Heritage Academies are a growing resource of information
for students and staff. Resources include
books, periodicals, videos, teacher materials, posters, online
references, projection systems, digital cameras, and other
technology for circulation purposes. Our collections are
developed to support the curriculum and provide students
with quality literature.

22. National Heritage Academies Media
Center Policy
Students
It is a privilege to use the media center and proper behavior is expected, therefore if
students cannot follow rules and have proper behavior their media center privilege
may be suspended
Students in K-6th grade will visit the media center once a week as a class. Students in
7th and 8th grades will use their flexible schedule arranged by the teacher and LTS
Students will receive library instruction, instruction to enhance what they are learning
in class, and have literacy promoted.
Students will be allowed to check out library materials at no longer than one week at a
time. Students may renew library materials for one week at a time.
Reference materials may only be used in the media center
At this time there is no library fine for over-due books, however, students will not be
allowed to check out another book until those over-due materials are returned
Students and their parents are responsible for lost or damaged books.
Students may not check out books until their accounts become current.

23. National Heritage Academies Media
Center Policy
Mission Statement
The Kennedy Elementary Library provides an environment
that encourages intellectual curiosity and personal
enjoyment reading. The library offers a rich variety of print
and electronic resources necessary to enrich and support
educational programs and the certified library media
specialist works collaboratively to provide the services
necessary to satisfy the evolving informational and
recreational needs of the students, faculty, and staff.

24. National Heritage Academies Media
Center Policy
Selection:
STATEMENT OF POLICY
The policy of the school is to provide a wide range of library materials on all levels of
difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and that offer the presentation of different points of
view. The policy also allows for the review of allegedly inappropriate resources through
established procedures.
GOALS FOR SELECTION
To provide materials that will enrich and support the curricula and personal needs of the
users, taking into consideration their varied interests, abilities and learning styles.
To provide a background of information which will enable students to make intelligent
judgments in their daily lives.
To provide materials with varying points of view on current and historical issues so that
users may develop the skills of critical analysis.
To place materials which realistically represent our society and reflect the contributions
made by individuals to our American heritage.
To place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of
materials of the highest quality in order to ensure a comprehensive library media collection
appropriate for the users.

25. National Heritage Academies Media
Center Policy
Procedure for Selection:
The certificated library media teacher or, if none is available, the
principal, shall use recognized selection tools and processes in selecting
library materials.
Recommendations for purchase shall be solicited from teachers and
students.
Gift and sponsored materials shall be judged by the criteria in the
Selection Policy and shall be accepted or rejected by these criteria.
Selection is an ongoing process that shall include the removal of
resources no longer appropriate and the replacement of lost and worn
resources that may still be of educational value.

26. National Heritage Academies Media
Center Policy
Copyright Compliance:
NHA recognizes that federal law makes it illegal to duplicate copyrighted materials without authorization of
the holder of the copyright, except for certain exempt purposes. Severe penalties may be imposed for
unauthorized copying or use of audio visual or printed materials and computer software, unless the copying or
use conforms to the "fair use" doctrine.
Under the "fair use" doctrine, unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials is allowed for such
purposes as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research as long as four standards
are met:
§ The use must be for such purposes as teaching and must be nonprofit.
§ You may make single copies of the following for use in research, instruction or preparation for teaching: book
chapters; articles from periodicals or newspapers; short stories, essays or poems; and
charts, graphs, diagrams, drawings, cartoons or pictures from books, periodicals, or newspapers.
§ In most circumstances, copying the whole of a work is not considered fair use; copying a small portion may
be if these guidelines are followed.
§ If resulting economic loss to the copyright holder can be shown, even making a single copy of certain
materials may be an infringement, and making multiple copies presents the danger of greater penalties.
While NHA encourages its staff to enrich learning programs by making proper use of supplementary
materials, it is your responsibility to abide by NHA's copying procedures and obey the requirements of the law.
In no circumstances will it be necessary for staff to violate copyright requirements to perform their duties
properly.
Any staff member who is uncertain as to whether reproducing or using copyrighted material complies with
NHA's procedures or is permissible under the law should contact their school’s Library/Technology
Specialist, Principal or Manager. Assistance in obtaining proper authorization to copy or use protected material
when such authorization is required can be provided.

27. National Heritage Academies Media
Center Policy
Reconsideration of Library Materials:
Most complaints need to be in writing, identifying the specific content that is objected to
and identifying the person making the complaint. Often a form has been developed that
includes the following:
Name, address, phone number, and status (parent, staff) of the person making the
complaint.
Description of the specific portions of the work which are thought to be objectionable.
An indication of what is being requested: removal of the material, limitations on access, or
restriction to certain grades or classes?
The Process for Reconsideration is:
Informal – After the complaint is received, there may be an informal process to hear the
complaint and explain the district’s policies and procedures for selection.
Formal – If the person wishes to file a formal complaint, they will be given a “Request for
Reconsideration” form . They will be advised to complete the form and return it to the
librarian or principal.
Committee – The library committee conducts a review of the work, listens to the concerns
of the person filing the complaint, and conducts any additional research needed.
While the book is being reconsidered, it may remain on the shelf and available for check-out

28. National Heritage Academies Media
Center Policy
Internet Use Policy
The use of the internet should support the curriculum.
Use of the internet will be consistent with National
Heritage Academies’ mission.