Freeman SWOT Analysis

School library and technology program being assessed: Milford, NH Middle School

NOTE: Many criteria can apply to more than one quadrant. A few areas to consider are listed just to start your thinking, but your SWOT entries should be more thoughtful, detailed and specific to the
school you are using as your “learning laboratory.” If you need more space, delete the “areas to consider” boxes and expand the SWOT quadrants.

Strengths Weaknesses
-50+ chromeboxes -poor organization of work spaces
-projection screen -often empty due to each team of teachers sharing 2 chrome carts
-2 mounted overhead projectors -staff sees the library as a place to send off task students
-EBSCOhost subscription -staff minimally uses the library as an asset to support their curriculum
-large reference section supporting curriculum -in need of more current literature titles
-friendly, personable, library aid (hours 9-3) -does not support community involvement
-large, open space -weak infrastructure for full building testing
-google calendar scheduling of resources -librarian avoids group instruction
-google forms sign in procedure
-open until 3:00 after school
-extensive magazine collection
-extensive data collection (district wide)
-Titan Time block can be used as enrichment
-Advisory program being implemented 2019/2020
-new district website 2019/2020
-monthly estimation contest for students and staff
-strong curriculum knowledge

Opportunities Threats
-district investment in technology -town is very vocally unsupportive of new superintendent
-consistent curriculum development in the areas of English and Math -teacher’s union “zero confidence” vote for new superintendent
-current superintendent supportive of strong library program -schedule has been rigid / controlled by admn tightly
-healthy budget to support a growing library -library closed for weeks or a month at a time due to testing, usually, beginning and end of
-full time technology integrator school year
-many professional development opportunities -teachers have traditionally been unsupportive of the librarians (4 librarians in 12 years)
-strong town library program with teen librarian -teachers unwilling to co-plan, co-teach, share students
-librarian to have advisory 2019/2020

Adapted from the document created by © Alan Chapman 2005-08. Free PDF version of this tool and information about SWOT analysis methods are available at
www.businessballs.com/swotanalysisfreetemplate.htm. This is a free resource from www.businessballs.com, which contains lots more useful tools, diagrams and materials. Not to be sold or published.
Summary and SMART Goals:
After completing the SWOT analysis on Milford, NH Middle School, it is evident the strengths dominate over weaknesses. The district has been making many
positive changes and the town generally supports the school system and their efforts to continually evolve, especially in terms of technology. The library has the
latest technology spread throughout. The bandwidth was a problem but was recently updated and has been working successfully. On top of technology, the library
has an abundance of space. Currently there are 3 teaching areas. Two are equipped with class sets of chrome boxes and over head projection. The last teaching
area has multiple tables, good for group collaboration. That area also has a pull down projection screen used for full class presentations as well as for full staff
presentations. In terms of print materials, the reference section has a decently curated collection that supports all areas of the curriculum. Lastly, students have
access to an online database, EBSCO. If this library was managed and marketed appropriately, students and staff would be buzzing around it energetically and
excitedly every day.

Despite the library’s many resources, the library is often empty. This is due to classroom teachers having the use of chrome carts at their disposal. Teachers use
the library computers as a “last resort” for technology. The librarian does not work directly with students unless absolutely required, and when she does, she closes
the library if the aid isn’t there. When there are students in the library, it is usually to finish a test quietly, check out a book quickly, or they need a “time out” away
for the classroom for minor behavioral issues. The librarian needs to stop this practice of punishment so that the students see the library as a positive place and
also because the student needs to “recognize learning as a social responsibility” (AASL III.D.2). A building wide cultural shift needs to be made in this area.

There’s no reason for the library to ever be empty with all of the opportunities afforded to the library by the district. The librarian does not have to act as tech
integrator as there is a separate position for this role. However, the librarian and the tech integrator could work together to get more groups of students and staff
into the library to work and create. Our librarian does advertise different program at our town library through flyers and giving them to teachers to advertise. Also, if
a student needs a book that is at the high school, she requests the book and get it for the student (AASL V.C.1). Because the district offers so many professional
development opportunities and seeks teacher input when development curriculum, the librarian could take part in all the changes being made and help shape the
way her program is utilized.

If the opportunities are not utilized soon then the threats could soon take over. While, Milford has a current superintendent that supports the library and all
specialist areas, her reputation in the district is rocky. Unioned teachers voted no confidence in her, but the school board is in support of the superintendent.
Because of this, the town is divided in their beliefs making the morale poor. This means that the current superintendent and her library supporting policies are not
permanent and could change from year to year. The middle school has had a hard time in the way of librarians, having 4 in the last 12 years. Teachers all want to
use the library for different appropriate and inappropriate reasons and have complained to administration. Because of the staff’s past experience, few teachers
willing seek the librarian’s help. Lastly, the primary use of the library over the past few years has been becoming a housing ground for testing, closing the library
essentially, and in turn creating a negative image of the library for students. This view must stop and soon.

Milford Middle School’s library has the potential to be a hub of learning and the heart beat of the school. A cultural shift needs to be made in terms of the attitude
towards the library and the use of the facility. With the right person as manager and facilitator, the program will be a success.
 S.M.A.R.T. Goals for the Milford Middle School Library Media Specialist

1. For the start of the 2019 / 2020 school year, a clear mission and vision statement will be communicated with staff through email and communicated in
person at the staff orientation in August, which will help staff understand the role of the library and its resources.

2. Over the course of the 2019 / 2020 school year, collaborate with a teacher on each team in each grade level, and display student work created through the
process in the library, advertising the success.

3. Over the course of the 2019 / 2020 school year, start a club to draw students into the library after school, focusing on a book club of the month reading
student driven material, advertising through student created book talks.

Reference

AASL. (2018). N​ational School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries/American Association of School Librarians​. Chicago, IL:
ALA Editions.