Slideshow of KA Assessment section 5

1. KA Assessment Section V:
Budgeting Sources

2. Budgeting Sources
The Antler Trail Elementary School Media Center receives an annual
allotment for maintaining and developing its library media center
resources. These funds are specifically earmarked for the purchase of
library media materials and items that directly support the school
library media program. Items purchased with these funds must be
used in the library media center or made available for circulation to
students and/or staff from the library media center. These funds may
not be used to purchase equipment or other materials for use in a
single classroom.

3. The following table provides a list of current fund
sources:
FTE Formula (as of 2014): The number of students accounted for in
the Quarter 4 FTE count for fiscal year 2014 (503) multiplied by the
amount received per student ($14.92) equals the amount received
for the media center’s annual county allotment ($7,505.00).

4. Potential Sources of Revenue:
Educational Grants
The Libri Foundation
The Improving Literacy through School
Libraries (LSL) program
Verizon Foundation: Literacy
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Universal Service Administrative Company

5. Potential Sources of Revenue:
Online Charity Resource
Donors Choose

6. According to author Emily Dickinson (2004) in her article Budgeting: As Easy
as 1-2-3, “Budgeting is an important part of the program administration role of
the library media specialist, and provides the tools for success in other roles.
With a strong, stable budget stream, school library media programs have new
technologies in good repair, a current collection of resources, and an attractive
and inviting library media center facility” (p.14). After examining the current
media center budget of Antler Trail Elementary, we believe it to be an example of
the strong, stable budget Dickinson describes. When compared with the budgets
described by Leslie Farmer (2012) in the Brace Yourself article, the ATES Media
Center budget seems more than adequate to support the needs of the school.

7. To investigate why the ATES Media Center budget is larger than the average elementary
library budget, we spoke to the SLMS to find out how specific funds are currently being
allocated to the media center. In our conversation with her, we realized that the largest
funding source (Title 1 Funds) was due in large part to supportive administration efforts to
ensure that the media center, the learning hub of the school, has the ability to provide
students with the most current, up-to-date resources and materials. Each year, the current
building principal designates $12,000 in Title 1 Funds to support the ever-evolving media
center. The fact that he feels it is necessary to do so speaks to the superb job the SLMS has
done to illustrate the importance of the media center program. Dickinson (2004) explains,
“[t]he more that the library media program is perceived to have a role in academic
achievement, the greater the chances that the library media program will be funded” (p. 17).

8. With the additional funding allotted each year, the media specialist is
provided with the resources necessary to build a collection of resources that
meets the needs of 21st century learners, and build an environment, conducive
to learning, that allows students to express and grow their intellectual
freedom.

9. Given the adequacy of the ATES media center budget, we suggest
allocating funds to improve the following areas previously identified as
weaknesses in our strategic management plan:
Facility Updates:
Additional tables and chairs should be purchased to accommodate
more students in the media center.
Replace damaged ceiling tiles.
Update wall murals to reflect a more modern space.

10. Books:
Purchase additional eBooks for the digital library collection. Currently, ATES
Media Center has access to 261 eBooks.
Purchase additional resources (eBooks, bilingual books) specifically for students
with language barriers.
Technology:
Update SMARTBoard and computer software
Purchase of e-readers
Purchase additional learning Apps for iPads. Specifically purchase Apps that
target the needs of the ATES learning community. Social Studies and Science are
currently areas of weakness. Apps that focus on these areas could improve
student test scores.
Renew/purchase online subscriptions and fees (online encyclopedia, eBooks
collections, Brain Pop Jr., BrainPop, United Streaming, Reading A-Z, etc.)