The document summarizes the facilities plan for the media center at an elementary school serving students in pre-K through 5th grade. It describes the current state of the media center including environmental issues, furnishings, technology, and traffic flow. Interviews with teachers and students indicate needed changes such as additional lighting and space. The revised floor plan addresses these issues and improves the layout and organization of the media center. It also describes the mission and policies for operating the media center.

1. Hollis Peck Facilities Plan FRIT 7132 October 28th 2008

2. The media center I visited for this survey is in a PreK-5 elementary school in which the students range in age from 4 through 12 years. This is an inner-city Title I school in which over 90 percent of the 550 students are on free or reduced price lunch plans. There is good parent participation in school activities and a supportive administration and faculty. 23 classrooms are in mobile units, and the school is second on the list for either a new building, or renovations. It is a well run and family friendly school. School Description

3. View as You Enter The Media Center Media Center Environmental Elements and Access Issues: On rainy days students are likely to get wet when walking to the media center via the breezeway, and on cold days they must wear a coat. When the back door to the media center is locked teachers knock to gain entrance, and when it is unlocked it is opened and closed constantly by students. Activity at this entrance can prove to be distracting to music and computer lab students in classes across from the media center building.

4. Natural light in the media center is limited. There are three small windows in need of repair. Because the storm windows are clouded with dirt and condensation, there are small sheer curtains over the windows to make them less noticeable, so they only let in a minimal amount of light. The artificial lighting is adequate. Small windows may be seen in this shot and the rear door is directly to the left of the computer station making this entrance as issue throughout the school day. Lighting Issues

5. The media center is equipped with seven computers for student use. There are also printers and a scanner which may be used with supervision. These items are located at a computer carrousel. All but one of the computer screens may be seen from the circulation desk. The circulation desk includes one computer for media specialist and media clerk use, and one for student checkout. Students are encouraged to scan their checkout ID, scan their books, and then scan a checkout sticker located on the desk. There is always adult supervision for checkouts and students seem to enjoy being able to scan their own books. Computer Station

6. Adjacent Rooms The media center has five adjacent rooms: An art gallery with double doors leading to the media center, an equipment room, a work room with a sink, the media specialist’s office, and one other small room currently used by the counselor. There is also an old poorly maintained bathroom. The media center is in a building which is not connected to any other campus building, except by a covered breezeway. Double Doors Leading to Gallery

7. Flow & Visibility: There is a large double book shelf unit in the middle of the media center that separates the easy section from the Fiction, Nonfiction, and Reference sections. The size and placement of this unit makes it difficult to monitor all students at any given time. The shelves in less visible areas are in greater disarray by the end of the day than the shelves in easily visible areas. Large Shelf unit dividing the easy section from the other areas of the media center.

8. Traffic: Mentors often work with students in the main area of the media center and in the adjacent rooms. In high traffic hours, such as in the afternoons, it is common to have mentors and their students relocate to the art gallery. The afternoon traffic creates a continual juggling act for quiet space. ‘Reading First’ activities take place in the morning, which leads to increased use of the media center in the afternoon. Main Media Center Reading Area

9. Media Center Furnishings There are five long tables and one round table in the media center. The tables are configured as needed to accommodate whole-class activities. One pull-down screen is used for computer display, but is at an angle which makes it hard to see from all tables, so the media specialist often uses a portable screen.

10. Media Specialist Office and Circulation Desk Space: The media specialists’ tiny office has built in shelves along one wall, and is only large enough to accommodate a desk and a filing cabinet. Every space in this media center seems to serve multiple purposes.

11. Current Floor Plan

12. Interviews with Teachers and Students Indicate Needed Changes: Teachers express concern for students who must go outside and walk to the media center, which is near a busy street. There is special concern for the younger students. The housing complex in which most of the students live is right across the street. Fencing was recently installed to make the campus more secure and separate that part of the grounds from nearby traffic. Furnishings are old and need to be replaced. The teachers and students seem happy with the media center but are waiting for a new modern school. The cramped conditions and the general lack of natural light is an issue, not only for the media center but for the school a whole. The media center has many new books, and old ones are being weeded. There is an appreciation for the improved look of the media center, and the increased selection of materials over the past several years. Clearing of old shelf units and weeding of old books has helped to increase use and enjoyment of the space.

13. Description of Changes for Revised Floor Plan: The revised floor plan addresses the need for additional lighting, additional shelving, and increased space for technology.Main Space: Upon entering the media center the placement of round tables allows for better traffic flow. Long shelving with fiction on one side and reference on the other has been removed. Due to the placement of the shelves in the Non Fiction area, students could not be monitored. New shelving provides for Non Fiction to be arranged for easy access and better visibility from the circulation desk. Fiction shelving runs along outside walls. Fiction books were originally in three different sections, making it confusing for students who were trying to find books by their favorite author. Reference materials have been moved from the dark shelving where they could not be easily seen to a central area with seating for two adults or students. A small table has been added making this a good place for the classroom teacher to sit and possibly work while her students are enjoying story time. The periodicals have also been moved to this area.

14. The new large multi-level circulation desk will accommodate a computer for the media specialist or media clerk and another for student checkout. A book drop has been added in a location that will be convenient for students as they enter. The main computer stations remain the same as in the original plan. The computer and scanner at the back of the media center have been relocated to the multimedia room, which allows for additional space for small groups. Cushions will be purchased and used for movable seating in this area. Tables for whole-class activities and for faculty meetings have been located on the windowed side of the media center. They are in close proximity to outlets and cable lines for easy access to laptops and projection. Wireless capability would also be desirable for the media center as well as a smart board in this area. There is room for instillation on the back wall in the easy section. The placement of tables in this area makes the area adjacent to the gallery more usable for groups during special gallery events. New chairs would be stackable and moveable for easy shifting from one area of the Media Center to another. The three tales near the entrance door could be moved to the story time area when additional seating is needed during meetings. Description of Changes for Revised Floor Plan:

15. Rooms: The AV storage room has been cleared of TV carts, and is now a dedicated multimedia production room. An AV storage area has been created by repurposing the old, hardly workable bathroom and custodians’ closet. Other bathroom facilities are in the adjacent building just a few feet away for the main media center entrance. These changes allow for the equipment to be rolled outside without going through the media center. This alleviates some of the traffic currently in areas where students are reading and where lessons are being taught.

16. The media specialists’ office has been expanded. New windows have been added, and the entrance has been relocated to the area behind the new circulation desk. The additional space has been converted to storage. This will be useful for processing of books that arrive. The equipment that requires strict monitoring such as cameras and their components will also be located in this area. It should be easier to keep up with all the parts if they are not in a room that is so open to traffic. Overhead bulbs, ink cartridges, and printer paper would be stored here as well, along with any small equipment that has a work order in process and is waiting to be picked up by the county. This would save time and aggravation by eliminating searching through the crowded AV room looking for equipment to be repaired. The workroom remains the same as in the original plan with the addition of a table.

17. Access Areas: The Single solid entrance doors will be replaced by glass paned double doors. The entrance to the gallery remains the same as in the original plan. Future Plans: A patio with seating and a garden or natural area could be added outside the entrance near the computer station, and would be useful for story time or for the growing and study of plants. This could provide a good community project. These changes and additions would be wonderful but unlikely since this school is second on a list of schools to be relocated. Teachers are looking forward to eventually moving into a new facility, but in the mean time they try to make the school look inviting and operate.

18. Revised Floor Plan

19. Mission: The mission of the media program is to collaborate with teachers and others to provide appropriate resources and meaningful learning experiences for students; to advocate reading improvement; and to foster an interest in literature. Goals: The main goal of the media center staff is to “Make the Connection” between the school library and academic achievement. In order to achieve this goal the staff strives to: Promote student interest in reading. Promote appreciation of literature. Provide appropriate collections and resources to support and enrich the school curriculum. Support district, state and national standards. Provide an attractive and supportive environment for students and faculty. Media Center Policies

20. Accessibility: The media center is accessible to both individual students and groups throughout the instructional day. The normal hours of operation are from 8:30 until 3:45. Please do not send students any later than 3:00. All students must be out of the media center by 3:15 in order to return to class and prepare to leave for home. The media center functions on a flexible schedule. Teachers may send up to four students at a time without prior notice. Students must bring their media center pass. An entire class may be scheduled for story time, library skills or research. Class visits must involve the active participation of the classroom teacher. If an entire class is coming to the media center, the teacher and media specialist must cooperatively plan and schedule an appropriate time and date for the class.

21. Of Student Behavior Students must: Enter quietly Return books they have (if any) to the cart Select a new book Checkout at the circulation desk Read or work quietly until they line up to leave Students should not run or yell, but absolute silence is not expected. Please remind your students to be considerate of others who are using the media center. S

22. Of Student Behavior Teachers must stay with their class to maintain discipline and help with book selection or team-teaching. If a sub brings a class for checkout, they must stay with the class to maintain discipline and help with book selection. All whole class visits must be scheduled ahead of time. S

23. Circulation: Kindergarten and first grade students are permitted to check out one book at a time. Second grade students may check out two books. Third, fourth and fifth grade students are permitted to check out three books.

24. Faculty and staff may check out an unlimited number of books for an unspecified time period. Classroom collections may be enhanced with checkouts from the media center. Sets of older encyclopedias are available for checkout for the year through the media center.

25. Books are checked out for a period of two weeks with the option of renewing the book for two additional weeks. All returned books are placed in on a cart located beside the circulation desk. Students are not allowed to check out if they have overdue books. Students are required to pay for lost or damaged books. Report cards are held at the end of the year if charges are not cleared.

26. Media Center Materials: In addition to books for student checkout, the media center houses audio visual materials, equipment, magazines, leveled readers and professional materials for teacher checkout.

27. The new QuizList feature of the AR program is on the school website. Students and faculty may access this list by using the following link. Using this list, patrons will be able to sort the AR titles by reading level, points etc. and print specific lists that are of interest to you. Students will also find lists that are theme or subject based and lists of award nominated books. http://www.quizlist.net/search.aspx?id=13005 The list of AR books is also available on the Live Oak Library site. AR AR Color Code System Gold Star K Yellow 1st Red 2nd Green 3rd Orange 4th Blue 5th Blue Star 6th and Up

28. Student Magazines National Geographic Kids Ranger Rick Highlights for Children Boys Life Cobblestone/ Grades 4-9 Cricket/Ages 4-9 Crinkles Jack and Jill/Ages 6-8 Turtle/Ages 2-5 Your Big Backyard Students are not allowed to check out magazines. Magazines are available for students to read during their visit to the media center.

29. Technology Technology and Equipment Computers and printers If teachers have a computer or printer that is not working properly, they may submit a service request to the Help Desk.

30. Technology Any student wishing to conduct internet research in the media center must bring a completed media center internet use form. The topic or particular web site must be noted along with clearly stated objectives to be met during the visit. Please do not send more than two students at one time to conduct internet research. Some of the media center computers must remain available to other students and to mentors who work with AR using the media center computers.

31. Media Center Internet Research Form Student Name______________________________________ Date __________________________________________ Web Site _________________________________________ Topic _________________________________________ Objectives to be met during the visit: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I expect my student to return to the classroom by _________o’clock. This student’s parent or guardian has signed an internet permission form. Teacher Signature ______________________________________ ___

32. Digital video is provided through UnitedStreaming. Features of this site include; 40,0000 video clips 4,000 full video titles Image library with over 18,000 images Lesson Plans correlated to videos Calendar of important dates in history linked to video clips in five core curriculum areas Playlist feature used to bookmark video clips for later use Teacher’s guide and blackline masters/worksheets 100 Spanish videos 300 closed caption titles for visual learners, hearing impaired and students learning English as a second language 27,000 encyclopedia articles 1,200 editable video clips Student Activities Writing prompts United Streaming

33. Search the Online Catalog The Spectrum icon on computer desktops allows students and faculty to search the Media Center collection from any computer. Staff Magazines Mailbox Bookbag Mailbox Kindergarten Mailbox Primary (1-3) Mailbox Intermediate (4-6) Instructor/Grades K/ Grades 1-4 National Geographic Teaching PreK-8

34. Teachers - Placing a Service Request. If teachers need hardware, software, wiring, networking or audio/visual service (including cable TV hookup), they may use the Submit Help Desk Request icon on their desktop. They then log in with their username and password you use to access the network:

35. Replacement Of Overhead Projector Bulbs Teachers who need a new bulb, bring their old bulb to the media center staff and they provide a new one. Videos and Movies Videos and movies shown to students must be curriculum related. Copyright laws and Fair Use Guidelines prohibit the showing of videos that are not curriculum related. The purpose for the showing must be reflected in the lesson plans. The video must be previewed by the teacher prior to its use. Teachers must obtain administrative approval for any video not owned by Gadsden.

36. Copyright U.S. copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Unauthorized reproductions beyond the scope of fair use and other copyright exemptions may be a violation of the law. Educators may use a copyrighted work under Fair Use Guidelines. Fair Use depends on the purpose of the use, the nature of the work, the amount of the work used and the effect on the marketability or value. Why do you care? Legal penalties are harsh and expensive. Teachers or staff who violate the CCSD policy receive no legal support from the school district.

37. Media/Technology committee The school has a media/technology committee. The committee plans for the development and improvement of the media program. The committee is responsible for considering and making recommendations in the following areas of concern. Budget priorities Selection of materials Reconsideration of materials Processes for cooperative planning between teachers and media specialists. Special media center activities. (Book Fair, AR, Visiting Author, etc.)

38. Challenged Materials: If an objection to a certain instructional material is voiced, the following procedures are adhered to: Be courteous, but make no commitments. Invite the complainant to file objections in writing and offer to supply a prepared form. (which is available through the media center) Inform the principal and the media specialist. Temporarily withdraw the material, pending a decision of the media committee.

39. The building level media committee does the following: Reads and examines the materials deferred to them. Checks general acceptance of the materials by reading reviews. Weighs values and faults against each other and forms opinions based on the materials as a whole and not on passages pulled out of context. Meets to discuss the materials and prepares a report on their findings. Files a copy of the report with the principal of the school, the system level instructional media committee, and the superintendent. If the report of the building level committee does not satisfy the complainant, the complainant is referred to the system level.

40. School Media Center Wish List!!! Sent to teachers at the beginning of each year. Please list materials that you feel are needed in the media center this year. Books: Audio Visual: Teaching Kits: Other Items: Items needed for your room: (Equipment etc.) _____________________________________________________