Policies and Procedures for Analysis

Checkout Procedures for Students:

1. Students in kindergarten and first grade may check out one book at a time. Students in second
through fifth grades may check out two books at a time.
2. All books must be checked out using Destiny, our computerized checkout program.
3. Students will use their student identification numbers to check out books.
4. Books may be checked out for two weeks, and may be renewed or returned at any time.
5. Students who have an overdue book may not check out another book until the overdue book is
returned. Late fees are not charged. Overdue notices will be printed once a month.
6. All books must be returned to the media center two weeks before school is dismissed for the
summer.
7. In addition, AV materials, items in the professional section, reference materials, and equipment
may not be checked out by students.

These procedures are not optimal for an elementary school media center. Of all
the policy implications, the most damaging is barring students from checking out
library resources. This is especially true for economically disadvantaged
students who are unable to reimburse the district, may have little or no access to
a public library, and may also lack suitable reading materials at home (Adams
2010, 48-49). Our media centers are crippling the patrons by worrying more
about protecting the collection than they are getting books into the hands of
readers. Judi Moreillon had excellent points in the article, Policy Challenge:
Consequences that Restrict Borrowing. She addressed the concerns of parents
and principals when it comes to borrowing processes. Principals and parents are
equally concerned with the financial responsibility that comes with unlimited
checkout for students. Moreillon then proceeded to suggest rewards and
incentives for students that returned books on time, raffle tickets, free books or
print materials, responsibilities, etc. If schools want to support the intellectual
freedom of its patrons, they are going to have to loosen the reins and start
encouraging the love of books by trusting the students to be responsible with
them. Students aren't able to develop a relationship with things that they aren't
exposed to. Policies in circulation should start to mirror expected outcomes.

Computer Usage:
Factory Shoals Media Center has workstations with Internet access that may be utilized by
students. Accelerated Reader and other school programs are found on each computer.
Students with a signed Acceptable Use Policy may access the Internet for educational purposes
only. The media specialist should be informed if a student does not have a signed Acceptable
Use Policy.

The Acceptable Use Policy that the students are required to sign may cover
policy that is not mentioned here in regards to computer usage. The policy and
procedures posted on the Internet, in the handbook, etc. should do a better job of
addressing what is expected of students and teachers in regards to technology.
The policy and procedures should also address what should be done about
websites that aren't accessible that should be.
Library Schedule:
The media center operates on a combination fixed/flexible schedule. Kindergarten classes
come to the media center weekly for story time and checkout. All other classes come to the
media center for lessons every other week at a scheduled time. Lessons will last approximately
30 minutes and include time for book checkout. Teachers may also schedule an additional
weekly time for checkout. In addition to these scheduled lessons, teachers may sign up for
additional time in the media center when a lesson is not already scheduled.

Although the policy on scheduling in this school claims to be fixed/flexible, the

wording throughout the description begs to differ. The policy gives specific
times periods and a specific number of expected visits for different grade levels
and classes. This speaks much more to a fixed schedule and leaves very little
room for flexibility. The emphasis should not be on the quantity of time or
instruction but on the quality. The library media specialist should have time to
confer with teachers; work with individual students; select, order, catalog, and
process materials in addition to providing instruction and working with resourcebased teaching. Leaving room for flexibility should start within the policy itself.
According to the American Association of School Librarians, " The library media
program requires flexible and equitable access to information, ideas, and
resources for learning. In a student-centered school library media program,
learning needs take precedence over class schedules, school hours, student
categorizations, and other logistical concerns. To meet learning needs, the
programs resources and services must be available so that information
problems can be resolved when they arise. Predetermined timetables without
other options . . . can stifle intellectual curiosity and authentic learning. Flexible
schedules can also allow the school library media specialist more opportunities
for collaborative planning with teachers. Flexible, equitable, and far-reaching
access to the library media program is essential to the development of a vibrant,
active learning community."
Three policies for Factory Shoals Elementary were chosen for analysis. The
posted policies and procedures did not meet the needs discussed in Colleen
MacDonnells article Essential Documents for School Libraries: Do you have
them? There was no mention of collection development, teaching procedures,

programming, reporting and publicity, etc. A majority of these topics may be

overlooked because the school defers to the county policy on a majority of these
items. However, schools should want to be as thorough as possible when
presenting the policies and procedures of their particular facility, even if they
have been previously established by the district. MacDonnell pointed out that, "If
you recognize which documents you need, write them clearly, and promote them
well, many potential problems, misunderstandings, and stereotypes can be
vitiated before they get out of hand." Having policies and procedures
documented and accessible to all patrons is essential to a smooth operating,
well-respected, and productive library facility.