Section I: School Information Infographic

Section II: Media Center Mission Statement

Warren Road Elementarys Media Center seeks to provide service to students, faculty,
staff, and administrators as well as the community at large. In a collaborative effort, we
seek to develop information literacy skills through print and non-print materials while
creating a love for reading that will last a lifetime. Our commitment to continuous
improvement is imperative if our school is going to enable students to become
confident, self-directed, lifelong learners that will successfully function in a global
society.***
***Warren Road Elementary Media Center does not currently have a mission statement.
The above mission statement was therefore created by our group to fill the void.

Section III: School Library Media Services Overview

CIRCULATION POLICY

All Kindergarten - 5 grade students are allowed to check out one book at a time for
a one-week period.

Students are encouraged to visit the media center as often as necessary.

Students are allowed to "RENEW items (check out the same item for more days, if
needed).

Parents of Pre-K through 5 grade students are allowed to check out up to five
books at a time for a two-week period.

If a student/parent has an overdue book, no additional books may be checked out,

until the overdue book(s) is/are checked in, renewed, or payment (lost/damaged
book) is received.

Faculty/staff members may check out books for a period of up to 30 days and
audio-visual materials for a period of up to 5 days.

Teachers can request for materials (books, audiotapes, CDs, computers or

chromebooks, software, and videos) to be placed on RESERVE for student use in
the media center only, when an entire class or grade level is researching the same
unit/topic.

Reference materials are not available for check out and must be used in the media
center. Per the teacher's request, copies can be made of information needed for
research.

Audio-visual equipment must be checked out and returned on a daily basis by 3:00
p.m.

th

th

(The library at Warren Road Elementary School currently has no official circulation
policy. The above policy was found at http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/Page/7621)

Analysis:
21ST CENTURY LIBRARY AND LEARNERS

The circulation policy allows the library resources to be checked out by students,
teachers, and parents, with different stipulations. Pre-K students are not allowed to
check out their own book, which seemed unfair at first. However, the parents of all
students (including Pre-K) are allowed to check out books on their childs behalf. There
are also consequences for overdue books in place, which will keep students, parents,
and teachers accountable. This circulation policy does a fair job of addressing the
needs of the 21st century library and its learners. Students, even at the elementary
level, are given the opportunity to check out audio-visual equipment such as cameras
and camcorders in order to assist in their projects. Teachers and students are allowed
to use the computers in the library as well as the chromebooks, and teacher can
reserve either the media center computers or the chromebooks for their entire class.

BYOT OR BYOD
The circulation policy at Warren Rd. Elementary media center does not currently
address bring your own technology or bring your own device. However, the library
has technological devices that students can use and check-out on a daily basis. While
it could be useful for students to bring their own technology from home, this could also
pose problems since the students are young and often rough on their technology. Also,
there is the risk of devices being broken or stolen. Therefore, the library circulation
policy should include a disclaimer saying that, while students are allowed to bring their
technology from home, parents should be aware that the library and school are not
liable if something should happen to the device while the students is on school
property.

E-BOOKS
Warren Rd. Elementarys library does not currently have any e-readers for check-out,
nor do they have a collection of e-books that students can read on their own devices.
This will be added to the library soon, and when it is, the circulation policy will need to
be updated to reflect these Additions.

WEB 2.0 TOOLS

The media centers circulation policy also provides access to different online programs
and Web 2.0 tools for students and teachers, which teachers can also reserve.

SCHEDULING
State Standards requires school media centers to operate on an open schedule. Open
concept includes:

The media center is open to individual students, small groups of students and
faculty at all times, from 7:45 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.

Large group activities shall be planned and scheduled by the teacher for varying
times, and lengths of time, to fit a particular curricular need. Teachers are not to
schedule the same block of time week in and week out.

Richmond County schools shall operate using the open concept, with the media
center existing to serve the learning needs of the students and the staff of the
school.

Hours of operation before and after school ARE necessary to fulfill an open
concept mandate.

Yearly closing of the media center for periods of time at the beginning and the
end of the school year IS NOT permitted. While checkouts may be limited for the
purpose of inventory, the center must stay open for student and faculty use.

Rigid scheduling of classes IS NOT considered consistent with this policy and is
not to be used in Richmond County Schools

Analysis:
21ST CENTURY LIBRARY AND LEARNERS
This library operates on an open schedule, which allows faculty, staff, students and
parents full access to the library throughout the school day. This includes all library
resources, such as books, computers, audio-visual equipment, etc. Having constant
access to the librarys technology is beneficial for 21st learners and educators. There
are also guidelines set up to ensure that all teachers have the same opportunity to
schedule time in the library with their classes. Overall, the media center schedule
allows for students and teachers to use the resources within to their full potential.

E-BOOKS

While Warren Rd. Elementary does not currently have a collection of e-books, these will
be added soon. Once this is done, students will be able to access part of the librarys
collection anytime from anywhere on their own devices. This will be extremely
beneficial, especially during the summer months when students are unable to check out
books from the physical library.

BYOT/BYOD
Also, if the students bring their own technology to school, they can access part of the
library without ever leaving the classroom. This will be useful for days when the library is
closed due to it being reserved or when it is being used for testing. However, they will of
course still be encouraged to visit the media center to take advantage of the many other
educational tools that the library has to offer as often as possible.

ETHICS AND LEGAL PRINCIPLES

The media specialist is expected to act as a copyright advisor for reproduction and use
of copyrighted print, non-print and electronic information.
The media specialist should include common copyright issues in the media handbook
and should ask for time to address the faculty on this issue at least once a year.
The Copyright Law allows Library photocopying under Section 107 Fair Use when
meeting the following criteria:
Purpose and character of use
Nature of the work
Amount and substantiality of the portion used
Effect upon the potential market of the work

Analysis:
21ST CENTURY LIBRARY AND LEARNER and CREATIVE COMMONS

The Ethics and Legal Principles policy at Warren Road Elementary makes it very clear
that the media specialist is in charge of making sure that all teachers and students
abide by copyright laws and regulations and use the information ethically. It also
ensures that the media specialist will annually discuss common copyright issues with
the faculty and staff as well as provides guidelines for when the library is allowed to
photocopy copyrighted information. However, this all seems to be directed at teachers
and ensuring that teachers follow copyright laws. The policy should also address the
ethical information behavior expected of students. Perhaps, adding an annual
discussion with students about copyright laws and how and when it is appropriate to
photocopy information that is protected by copyright laws. The policy could also benefit
from links with information on copyright, creative commons, and what counts as
infringement, listed as well. This way, students and teacher will have access to the
information at all times, rather than just at an annual meeting.

Creative Commons is an important asset to 21st century libraries and their learners. The
ethics and legal principles for Warren Rd. Elementarys library do not mention Creative
Commons, only discussing the Fair Use Act when it comes to photocopying information.
In this day and age, with all of the information available to us through technology and
the internet, there are so many other ways that a student or teacher could infringe upon
a copyright other than photocopying. Understanding and addressing the Creative
Commons will make this less of an issue and get the ethics and legal principles of this
media center more up-to-date.

SERVICES
Warren Road Elementary offers a variety of services to its school community. Multimedia equipment loan (video cameras, digital cameras, document cameras, etc.), copy
services, laminating, book repair, audio-visual check-out, ebooks (coming in April), and
die-cut lettering are all services offered to students and parents alike. Additionally, for
our ESOL students, we offer read aloud programs and computer based translations. In
order to accommodate our handicapped students, our bookcases are positioned at a
height that is easily accessible for them. Maximum space between bookcases also
provides ease of mobility for these students.

Analysis:

21ST CENTURY LIBRARY AND LEARNERS

Our student population is more diverse than ever, and it is important that our libraries reflect this
through the services they offer. The media center at Warren Rd. Elementary offers many
different services to reflect the physical, mental, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of its students.
Also, as is important during the age of technology, the media center offers a wide range of
equipment for loan so that students can work hands-on with the technology. Also, many of these
services are offered to parents as well, bridging part of the gap between the students home-life
and their school-life and giving many parents opportunities that they did not have when they
were students themselves.

BYOT/BYOD
Many students, especially in the younger grades, do not have access to their own technology.
However, through the services offered in this library students who do not have technology and
devices to use at home can become acquainted with it their school library.

WEB 2.0 TOOLS

The library offers many web 2.0 tools and programs that accommodate students with reading
disabilities. From students who are struggling to learn English as a second language, as well as
those struggling with English as their first, these online services help students become more
confident readers and speakers. Also, for students

Section IV: School Library Media Center Facilities

Learning Climate
Warren Road Media Center encourages students to be enthusiastic, interactive
readers and researchers that meet their learning goals through direct instruction with
students, collaboration with teachers, and a comprehensive media program that
includes the use of a variety of materials including technological, print, and non-print
resources. Materials and resources are available to students to make their media
center time productive. Overall, the learning climate is positively driven to help each
student meet their learning needs.

Furnishings and Regions of Media Center

Furnishings in WRESs media center include one sofa, one loveseat, three
rectangular tables that each seat eight, two round tables that each seat four, a story
time area that features tiered seating, as well as a teacher/student computer work
station with four computers located in a secluded area in media center. Entering the
media center from the main hallway, directly to the left, the Promethean board hangs on
the wall parallel to the 3 rectangular tables. The round tables are located to the right of
the rectangular tables. From the main entrance, the teacher work area is in a room

directly behind the check out counter and the media production room is on the left side
of the main entrance in a room that is directly behind where the Promethean board is
located. The middle of the media center contains five bookcases that extend the length
of the media center. The far right houses the easy section, the middle includes the
series section, and the far left holds juvenile fiction and one row of non-fiction collection.
The middle section, our most popular and heavily trafficked area has the widest aisle,
which allows easy access. On the far left side of the media center, the bookcases that
surround the story time area, contain the rest of the non-fiction collection.

Virtual and Technological Elements

Wireless access for the entire school was installed in December 2014. Full wireless
access is now available throughout the entire school. Prior to this school year, wireless
connectivity was only available in the media center. Web filtering allows safe surfing
for students when conducting online research or browsing the Internet and blocks
access to potentially inappropriate sites. The Technological resources available to
Warren Road students both at home and at school: Study Island, First in Math,
Renaissance Place Home Connect, Vmathlive, and Galileo. Follett shelf logins will be
available to students in the fall of 2015 which will give students access to
ebooks/textbooks both at home and at school.

Work/Production Area
The Teacher workroom at Warren Road is located in a room directly behind the
circulation desk. The workroom features use of copiers, pencil sharpeners, poster
maker, laminator, roll butcher paper, hole punches, scissors, and erasers. Students are
not typically allowed access in the workroom except for use of the pencil sharpener.
The circulation desk is located on the right side of media center between the Teacher
workroom and the easy fiction section. Directly to the left of the main entrance, in a side
room, is where our computer console, media production room, and storage facility are
located. Acoustically speaking, the media center, media production room, and teacher
workroom are relatively quiet. However, lighting is very dim in all rooms. Natural light
from the wall of windows on the far side helps brighten it. Another trouble spot is
temperature control because it is either too warm or too cool, really no in between.

Accessibility
Accessibility of the media center facility for special needs populations, once in the
media center, is adequate for the handicapped. However, all entrance doors are quite
heavy and cumbersome to open for someone in a wheelchair. Once in the media

center, easy access can be found in all areas. Consideration should be given as far as
equipment for the visual or hearing impaired, as these are not available.

Analysis of Facility
Four computers are dedicated for teacher and student use, this workstation is
teacher/student computer workstation is perfectly suited for four computers. Also, the
story time area is on the opposite end of the media center from the computer
workstation area so this works well because it gives teachers and students a place to
work quietly while stories are shared in the story time area. However, in order to move
forward in the 21st century media center, furnishings with more living room comfort
need to be considered. A Netbook cart is available but it can only function through a
power strip since the batteries are unable to hold a charge. Since funding is unavailable
to replace the batteries, in order to use them they must be plugged into a power source
which means access can only be gained when situated close to the interior walls of the
media center. That typically means a non-attractive but functional power strip placed in
center of the table is required to power the netbooks. Ideally, it would be nice for
students to check-out the netbook and retreat to one of the more living room comfort
areas of the media center. Additionally, wireless connectivity would make this possible.
One barrier that we are faced with is lack of funding, specifically for technology. We
are not a Title 1 school so we do not have the technological resources that many of our
neighboring schools have.

Environment
Our library media center is not only conducive to learning in a safe environment but
also a magnet to students. For the most part, students are engaged in learning or
experimenting with different kinds of devices such as Ipads, desktops, netbooks, or
Promethean board. Once there, students are reluctant to return to class. Currently, an
augmented classroom meets in the small media center conference room. In the fall of
2015, this space will be vacant, as the augmented position has been eliminated for the
2015-2016 school year. This will allow teachers/students an additional place to work in
small groups or serve as a testing area free from traffic or noise.
About seven years ago, an artist painted an animal themed mural throughout the
media center. It is very inviting and kid-friendly. However, modern furnishings are
lacking and a need for an updated look is wanted. While this setting is very inviting, it
also promotes a positive learning climate. Continual interaction with students and
teachers along with encouraging words, ideas, and collaboration are witnessed daily in
the media center at WRES. Warren Road Media Center offers adequate seating for
individuals and small groups. However, optimally, it best functions if limited to one
scheduled class and 8-10 students from additional classrooms.

Section V: Budget Sources

Above is a financial spreadsheet of Warren Road Elementary Schools media center.

Our current funding source is the Quality Basic Education State Funding. Our
allocations are derived using the following formula: total allotment amount from the
school system is divided by total amount of FTE, then multiply by total FTE for each
school. At the beginning of the school year, the school media center was allocated a
total of $4,887. Of this allotted amount, $2,687 was to be spent on books, $500 to be
spent on repair and maintenance, $900 was to be spent on supplies, and $800 was to
be spent on equipment, with no allotment for new computers or software. The current
expenditures for these allocations does not include equipment. However, money left in
accounts can be compiled if additional purchases are needed. While the schools
funding overall is adequate, there is still a deficiency in the area of technology
equipment. Additional funds for items such as computers and ipads are needed in order
to meet learning objectives.
Two book fairs occur annually that provides an additional source of revenue for
the media center. An estimated revenue is generally $700 to $800. This revenue, set
aside, could be used to purchase new computers. Also, another potential fundraiser is
a spring fling dance at the end of the year and a beginning of the year school dance,
with all proceeds going to the media centers technology fund. While these events may
not generate enough money for very many computers, it will help defer cost when

purchase is made. A long range goal is to save enough to purchase ipad carts and
additional desktops for the computer lab.

Section VI: Survey Stakeholders

In order to make the library more relevant to our school community's needs and wants,
please complete this online survey and submit. Thanks
* Required
1. Please check all that apply. *
o
PK
o

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

PE/ART/MUSIC/DRAMA

Administrator

Support Staf

What subjects do you teach? *

2. How often have you brought a class to the library media center? *
o
Rarely
o

Often

Weekly

How do your classes use the library? (Check all that apply) *
o
As a whole class
o

In small groups

Individually

3. Have you ever worked with the library media specialist to either plan
a lesson or teach a lesson in the library media center? *
o
Yes
o

No

4. If you do not use the library media center, please comment on why: *

5. How would you rate the following? *

Providing resources to support the curriculum

Excellent

Poor

Consulting on curriculum development *

Excellent

Poor

Letting teachers know about the resources available *

Excellent

Poor

Responding to teachers' requests for student materials *

Excellent

Poor

Responding to teachers' requests for professional materials *

Excellent

Poor

Helping teachers find and use resources *

Excellent

Poor

Co-planning and teaching *

Excellent

Poor

Integrating research skills/technology skills into classroom

assignments *

Excellent

Poor

Aligning library skills instruction with subject disciplines *

Excellent
Nurturing in students a love of reading *

4
Poor

Excellent

Poor

Helping students acquire life-long learning skills *

Excellent

Poor

Providing a list of AV resources that are available *

Excellent

Poor

Providing reasonable access to technology in the library media center *

Excellent

Poor

Establishing simple, non-bureaucratic procedures *

Excellent

Poor

Assessing the information needs of the teachers and students *

Excellent

Poor

Integrating research skills/technology skills into classroom

assignments *

1
Excellent

4
Poor

6. This part of the survey is a more specific evaluation of the library

media program. Please rate the following: *
Collection

The library media center meets my curriculum-related needs with a

satisfactory and up-to-date collection. *

The library media center provides materials to facilitate a variety of

learning activities. *
e.g. books, reference books, periodicals, CD-ROMS, databases, books on tape,
DVD

The library media center has enough computers to support the

objectives of my curriculum.*

The library has sufficient professional materials. *

The library media center needs an online catalog. *

Service

My request for materials is honored in a timely fashion. *

Reserve materials have been set aside at my request. *

The library media specialist keeps me informed of new and available

materials. *

Students and staff can get help at any time in the library. *

I am given ample opportunity to make suggestions for the purchase of

materials which support the curriculum/program goals. *

The library media specialist (LMS) provides satisfactory help for me and
my students when using the library resources. *

The LMS is open to suggestions about ways to serve and instruct

students. *

The LMS is accessible and approachable to students and staff. *

The LMS has a good rapport with the students and staff. *

Program

I am satisfied with the way my students use the library media center. *

The library media center is a place that supports student learning. *

The library media center establishes and maintains an atmosphere in

which students and staff can work at productive levels. *

The library media center promotes staff and student interest in the use
of information resources. *

The library promotes the use of professional materials. *

The library demonstrates a strong team-taught approach with

teachers. *

The library is important to my program. *

In the library, I feel comfortable using the Internet. *

In the library, I feel comfortable using CD-ROMS. *

In the library, I feel comfortable using databases. *

e.g. Grolier, Infotrac, Galileo, etc.

Facility

The library media center has suitable space to support the objectives of
my curriculum. *

The library media center has good furnishings, rugs, etc. *

The library media center has a satisfactory number of hours to meed my

needs. *

The library media center has a satisfactory number of hours to meet my

student's needs. *

7. I choose not to use the library media center because: *

8. The best thing about our library program is: *

9. Our library program could be improved by: *

10. Please list any nonfiction titles you would like to see added to the
collection: *

11. Please list any fiction titles you would like to see added to the
collection: *

12. Other comments: *

Submit

Never submit passwords through Google Forms.

The results of the survey have come in and show that communication, research
skills, and programs are the strengths of the survey. Third Grade did not give any input
into the survey, but according to the others in the school curriculum and resources along
with the facility (the library itself) were the weaknesses in the survey. From the results,

the library can now move forward to improve their weak areas by possibly providing
more support with curriculum and resources while helping to improve the facility. The
library can also continue improving upon assistance and services provided while
expanding their programs. All aspects and results of the survey are taken into
consideration as the library moves forward and continues to improve.

Section VII: Planning for the Future

Section VII - Kayla Jackson, Laura Mobley, and Sarah West
Goals

Objectives

Evaluation

1. Improve student
academic achievement
through the use of
technology both in the
media center and the
classroom.

1a. Provide differentiated

staff development
opportunities for teachers that
support 21st century
technology skills.
1b. Work collaboratively with
teachers to develop Common
Core lessons in all curriculum
areas that are embedded with
technology.
1c. Provide the opportunity
for flexible partnerships to
happen across grade levels
that allow students to work
cooperatively in technology
driven lessons.

1a. At the beginning of the

year, teachers will be given a
pre-test of technology
integration skills. Create
differentiated groups for staff
development opportunities
based on pre-test results.
Teachers will be surveyed
continually to make sure their
technology skill needs are
being met. (Media Specialist)
1b. Each grade level will
create, implement, and
evaluate one technology
embedded lesson.
(Instructional Coach/Media
Specialist)
1c. Teachers will evaluate
students ability to use digital
skills in formal assessment.
(Teacher/media specialist)

2. Update collections to
make room for new
materials that reflect the
interests of current
generations.

2a. Weed through current

collection and discard any
text that is extremely
damaged or is no longer
relevant.
2b. Purchase new materials
based on the interests and
needs of the students within
the school.
2c. Begin building a collection
of e-readers and e-books for
circulation.

2a. Based on data collected

from student interest surveys
and a checklist of standards
the current books should
meet (relevancy, condition,
use), starting at the beginning
of the year, the media
specialist will begin going
through each section of the
library (nonfiction, biography,
reference, fiction, digital
media, etc.) one at a time and
weeding through the section,
discarding any text that is
damaged or no longer
relevant.
2b. At the beginning of the
year, the media specialist will
conduct a school-wide
interest survey for all

students. This survey will be

sent home in the first-of-theyear student information
packet for each students
parents to complete and send
back to school. The survey
will have questions for the
parents to answer about their
childs interest. The media
specialist, along with the rest
of the media center advisory
team, will go through these
surveys and use the
information to assist in
purchasing decisions. The
media specialist will also
survey the classroom
teachers at the beginning of
the year to see what
materials they would find
useful to their students and
classroom in the coming year.
2c. According to the funds
allotted and the surveys, at
the beginning of each year,
the media center will use part
of its funds to purchase ereaders. The first classroom
set of these will be used for
teacher check-out only. As
the media center accrues
more e-readers, however,
students will be able to check
out e-readers. The media
center advisory center will
also discuss e-books to be
purchased based on the
interests and needs of
students as well as the needs
of teachers.
3. Develop and implement
new programs for a range
of ages and interests to
maintain the library as a
hub for the social, cultural,
and educational
community.

3a. Conduct research into the

interests of current students
to assist in the decision
making process of the new
programs.
3b. Evaluate what problem
areas the students need
assistance with and develop
media center programs to

3a. At the beginning of the

year, the media specialist will
conduct a school-wide
interest survey for all
students. This survey will be
sent home in the first-of-theyear student information
packet for each students
parents to complete and send

serve as an aide.
3c. Strategically plan
programs throughout the
school year that engage
students in activities based
out of the library.

back to school. The survey

will have questions for the
parents to answer about what
their child is interested in, as
well as what kinds of
programs/materials they
would like to see in the
library. The media specialist,
along with the rest of the
media center advisory team,
will go through these surveys
and use the information to
assist in creating library
programs for students to take
part in.
3b. At the beginning of the
year, the media specialist will
also send out a survey to
teachers and parents schoolwide in order to determine
what kinds of programs they
believe would be beneficial to
them and their students.
These programs could
pertain to information and
technology skills, as well as
content knowledge.
3c. At the beginning of the
year, and then at least once
per marking period, the
media specialist will meet
with the media center
advisory team to schedule
the media center programs.
They will also meet to discuss
the effectiveness of said
programs and determine how
the programs could be
changed or improved based
on participation and student
growth.

Rationale
Goal 1:
According to Empowering Learners: Guidelines for the School Library Media Programs,
school librarians are not just to see themselves as partners or collaborators, but a model and
example for teachers and learning across the curriculum. In order to promote and encourage
technology embedded in the curriculum, media specialists must continually, model and support
teachers at all levels of knowledge in the field of technology.

Goal 2: As the digital age becomes more of the norm, the collection development must reflect
the change as well. As Empowering Learners emphasizes the school librarian needs to
develop an up-to-date collection of print and digital resources which includes a well-developed
collection of books (regular and e-books), periodicals, and non-print material in a variety of
formats. This collection should appear in a variety of genres that appeal to different reading
levels, age/sex, information needs, and interests of the students.
Goal 3:
In The Indispensable Librarian, Doug Johnson makes the statement that Personal
interest can motivate reluctant readers to read, reluctant technology users to use the Internet,
and library-shy students to use our resources. However, just knowing the interests of our
students isnt enough. How you use the information is what makes the difference. Like Paul the
Librarian from Chapter 3 of Johnsons book, we decided that reading promotion programs would
be a fun and exciting way to bring in those students who were reluctant to enter the library
under the pretense that there is nothing there that correlates with their interest.