The document outlines Paul Foxworth's vision for an effective school library/media center. It describes the librarian's role in supporting reading, learning, research, and writing through providing books and resources; creating a welcoming environment; actively supporting teachers; and hosting extracurricular activities. The vision forms the basis of an operating manual Foxworth is writing to guide how he organizes and administers the library to achieve these goals and support students, teachers, and the school district.

1. Paul Foxworth July 2009
MY VISION OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY / MEDIA CENTER
The school library/media center propels reading, engaged learning, research, and writing
mastery. To make this happen, the librarian must be anchored in these beliefs:
1) "An open book" is the single best educational tool ever invented. The library
showcases books (including most-books-read competitions and tie-ins with book
awards), and provides a safe, welcoming environment conducive to reading.
2) The librarian is a teacher who actively supports classroom teachers -- with
reading lists, bibliographies, Webquests, and books "pulled from, the shelves" and set
aside for special purposes. The librarian also partners with teachers to plan curriculum
and ISAT preparation, and is a resource for helping to write grant applications.
3) The library can play a key role in preparing students to score better on ISATs
and other tests. This is partly by presenting content covered in the tests, but can also
be through workshops in "test-taking techniques" and "how to take and use notes."
4) It is a gateway to media resources (DVDs, CDs, audiobooks) and databases. It
is the logical place to house the computer lab and teach responsible use of Internet
resources.
5) The library can house any number of extracurricular activities, including a
school's newspaper and clubs. It can host writing workshops, guest authors, even
parent/student shared reading nights for the families of early elementary students.
These define how I plan to operate my library/media center to support students, teachers,
and school district goals. They form the nucleus of "an operating manual," whose outline
appears next, that I am writing to guide the way I organize and administer my library.

2. Paul Foxworth July 2009
THE SCHOOL LIBRARY / MEDIA CENTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. What does a school library/media center do?
A. Resources
1. Books
2. Magazines
3. Reference sources
4. Multimedia
5. Computers, databases, and Internet access
B. Environment
1. Safe, inviting
2. Conducive to learning
C. Teacher support
1. Classroom lessons
2. Curriculum planning
D. Ancillary services
1. For students
2. For teachers
II. What does the librarian/media center director do?
A. Reading Cheerleader
B. Computer Instructor
C. Grant Writer
D. Webmaster
E. Newspaper Editor
III. How does the library/media center partner with teachers?
A. Language Arts
1. Reading programs
2. Opportunities to write
B. Social Studies
C. Science
D. Math