All policies and procedures shall be subject to the Gwinnett County Media Handbook.

 

 

Lilburn Elementary Media Center

 

Philosophy of the Media Center

 

          The Lilburn Elementary Media program supports all areas of instruction, providing media resources and services to the staff and students.  Resources are available in a variety of formats to meet various learning styles and interests.  Flexible scheduling of the Media Center allows individual students or whole classes to use the Media Center when needed.  This concept of media service contributes to the development of life-long learners and to individual self-fulfillment.

 

The Lilburn Elementary Media Center is the touchstone for instructional support and informational service for the school.  It is organized for maximum accessibility and optimum service to our students and staff.  The Media Staff is committed to creating an inviting, welcoming and stimulating environment for the students.  Central to the success of the program is regular planning with the teachers to provide effective educational experiences for students.  Formal and informal instruction in the use of media resources and equipment focuses on the development of skills and attitudes necessary to promote life-long learning.  The Media Staff will plan and work with teachers to identify, select, and provide the best resources and activities to meet the students’ needs.

 

Mission Statement of the Lilburn Elementary Media Center

 

          The mission of the Lilburn Elementary Media Center is to develop life-long readers and learners in a technologically rich, literary environment, celebrating each student’s individual success and resulting in measured improvement against local, national and world-class standards.

 

Media Center Purpose

 

The purposes of the media program at Lilburn Elementary school are:

 

1.                 provide media resources, facilities, services, and staff to support all areas of the instructional program

 

2.                 provide a variety of services for students which develop skills and encourage the pursuit of life-long learning

 

3.                 develop procedures which allow optimum accessibility and effective utilization of all resources and the flexibility necessary to individualize instruction for students

 

The Lilburn Elementary Media Center Facility

 

          The Media Center is a very large, appealing room with a train station theme.  Twenty seven computers are available to the learners in small groups, individually, or in whole class settings.  Most lessons are designed so that a rear projection Smart board is used to model the lesson prior to using the computers. 

 

There are numerous free standing spinning book displays for graphic biographies, easy non fiction and other specific genres.

 

          The media center is designed so students have access individually and in small groups to resources, the facility, and the media staff at the time of need.  In addition, a schedule on which teachers may sign up for varying lengths of time appropriate to particular activities in differentiated grouping patterns is also available.  Activities are planned cooperatively by the teacher and the media specialist for optimum utilization of resources available to support classroom instruction.

 

Flexible Scheduling

 

          The Lilburn Elementary media center is student-centered. Learning needs take precedence over class schedules.  To meet the learning needs, the resources and services must be available so that information problems can be resolved when they arise.  Predetermined timetables without other options and practices that limit access to resources on the basis of age, ability level, or other means of grouping can stifle intellectual curiosity and authentic learning.  Flexible schedules can also allow the media specialist more opportunities for collaborative planning with teachers.  Flexible, equitable, and far-reaching access to the media program is essential to the development of a vibrant, active learning community.

                                                                                                         

Hours of Operation

 

The media center will be open before school hours for teachers and staff.  The students may return books before the news program, but may not check out books until the morning program is completed.  Ten minutes before the afternoon dismissal bell, we ask that the students return to their classrooms so that the staff can prepare for the afternoon broadcast.

 

Student Checkout Procedures

 

          Each student is issued a library card which will be kept in their classroom.  Kindergarten and first grade students may check out one book for one week.  Second grade through fifth grade students may check out two books for two weeks.  A wide variety of magazines may be read in the media center, but not checked out by students.  Students return books to the return box inside the circulation desk.  If the books are not returned in the allotted time, an overdue notice will be sent home periodically in the student’s Friday folder. 

 

Teacher Checkout

 

Each staff member automatically has an account.  If a staff member has materials to check out and the media staff is not available, we ask that they please leave the books or the barcode numbers and their name at the desk and we will check them out as soon as we arrive at school.  We will bring the materials to the staff member’s room or put them in their mailbox.  Teachers may check out as many books as needed.  However, please be aware that we need to share resources.  Teachers will receive an overdue notice when they have had an item for more than six weeks. 

 

Damaged and Lost Books

 

If the book is lost or damaged beyond future use, we will expect the student to pay for the book.  Failure to pay for the book will prevent the student from checking out additional materials from the media center until restitution is made.  Hardbacks are $15.00 and paperbacks are $5.00.

 

Media Center Staff

 

Library Media Specialist

 

          The Library Media Specialist, according to Information Power (1998), should fulfill the responsibilities of four roles: that of teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator. As teacher, the Media Specialist should evaluate and meet learner needs regarding information literacy. As instructional partner, the Media Specialist is expected to work to support the curriculum of the school through careful selection of resources, and initiating collaborative planning. As information specialist, the Media Specialist helps students and teachers locate, access, and evaluate information on a daily basis. As program administrator, the Media Specialist shall work with the Media Center planning committee to develop program philosophy, mission, goals, and budget. The Media Specialist will direct all library activities and implement policies and goals decided by the committee. In addition, the Media Specialist will oversee any changes made to the facility itself, including technology enhancements.

 

Media Clerk

 

The Media Clerk’s role is critical to the success of the media program.  The Media Clerk shall perform the following duties:

 

Instructs groups, and/or individual students and staff in media activities and technologies, identifies appropriate media center resources as requested by students and staff, maintains automated patron, catalog and equipment databases by adding, deleting and modifying records, manages operations of automated circulation system, maintains, troubleshoots and makes simple repairs on equipment, assists in the circulation of the Instructional Resources Collection, prepares media orders for books, audiovisuals, periodicals, and supplies, receives, processes, prepares and maintains media center resources, assists media specialist with preparation of materials for instruction, among other duties.

 

Duties of the School Media/Technology Committee

 

        The Media/Technology Committee at Lilburn Elementary School meets once a month and consists of the following members: 

 

·        One teacher from each grade level.

·        The local school technology coordinators (LSTC)

·        The Technology Support Technician (TST)

·        The Media Specialist

·        The Media Clerk

·        An Administrator

·        A representative from the Learning Specialists

·        An ESOL teacher

·        A Special Education Teacher

 

The Media Committee has an agenda that is followed each month, prepared by the Media Specialist beforehand and emailed to each member.  The agenda items consist of purchasing requests, site licenses for software, lottery funds, upcoming events, policy questions, acceptable use violations, staff development options, integration of media skills within the curriculum, and other issues as necessary.

 

Other Helpful Resources for Teachers

 

Professional/Parent Resources Collection

 

The Instructional Resources Collection has moved!

 

All IRC materials are now booked through the GCPS Professional Library. Local school employees should follow the directions available from the media specialist.

 

Professional Periodicals

 

          Along with the magazines that are available for check out by students, we subscribe to professional periodicals.  They are kept behind the circulation desk.  A courtesy checkout clipboard is located nearby.

 

Book Fairs

 

          Lilburn Elementary holds one book fair per year, generally in the Fall.  All funds received from book fair profits are used directly in the operation of the media center, whether for the purchase of books or media center supplies such as laminating and bulbs for overheads.

                                                                                                  

Internet Use

 

          Lilburn Elementary recognizes that electronic media, including the Internet, provides access to a wide variety of instructional resources in an effort to enhance educational opportunities.  Use of the Internet must be in support of, and consistent with the vision, mission and goals established by the Gwinnett County Board of Education for the purpose of AKS instructional support.

 

          Strict compliance with all applicable ethical and legal rules and regulations regarding access must be maintained by all users of the district wide area network and/or other electronic informational services.

 

          Because access to the internet provides connections to other computer systems located all over the world, users must understand that neither the Gwinnett County Public Schools nor any staff member controls the content of the information available on these other systems.  Some of the information available is controversial and sometimes may be offensive.  The school does not condone the use of such materials.  Therefore, it is imperative that the user be held accountable for the appropriate utilization of this technology.

 

          Inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of these privileges as well as possible assignment of disciplinary action consistent with the policies and procedures of Gwinnett County Public Schools. 

 

          The following rules will be adhered to at Lilburn Elementary:

 

1.                 Students will use Internet resources for school assignments.  Students may not “surf” or browse the Internet at school.

 

2.                 Students will use instructional technology tools in a respectful manner, which will not harm equipment or endanger people.

 

3.                 Students will respect work created by others including students, teachers and administrators.  Students may not change or delete anyone else’s work.

 

4.                 Students will not change the settlings for any equipment.

 

5.                 Students will observe copyright laws.  Using the words, ideas, images, or data of another person as the student’s own is considered plagiarism.

 

1.                 Students will report any misuse of instructional technology tools.

 

A violation of this procedure will result in the loss of access to the instructional technology tools and/or disciplinary action in accordance with the existing Gwinnett County Public School systems behavior code.

 

All students at Lilburn Elementary will be required to have their parents sign our Acceptable Use Policy before using the Internet. 

 

Summer School Planning – Media Center Use

 

          Since the emphasis of Summer School is mastery of Georgia Performance Standards and Academic Knowledge and Skills, teachers need the resources of the media center during the summer school session.  The media specialist will either work each day of the summer session, or will come in frequently to shelve and assist students and teachers.

         

Please feel free to contact the Media Center staff if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Selection Policy

Objectives  

 

It is the primary objective of the Lilburn Elementary media center to implement, enrich and support the AKS and curriculum goals of the school.  In the area of materials selection, the media center should provide a wide range of materials on all levels of difficulty, with consideration for diversity of appeal and different points of view.  The media center will provide materials for teachers and students that encourage development of literary, cultural and aesthetic appreciation and ethical standards.  Therefore, the media center should:

 

·        Provide materials that will support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities, learning needs, learning styles and maturity levels of the students served.

·        Provide materials for teachers and students that will encourage growth in knowledge, and that will help to develop literary, cultural and aesthetic appreciation and ethical standards.

·        Provide materials which reflect the ideas and beliefs of religious, social, political, historical, and ethnic groups and their contribution to the local, national and world heritages and cultures, thereby enabling students to develop intellectual integrity in forming judgments.

·        Provide a variety of electronic formats as well as print materials to support student learning needs.  These electronic formats include resources found on the Internet and other online networks.

·        Place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in selection of materials of the highest quality in order to ensure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users of the media center.

 

Responsibility for Selection

                                     

          The media specialist is responsible for materials selection, acquisition, and collection development.  Guidelines in materials selection include:

 

·        Ensuring that all subjects in the curriculum are supported and strengthened.

·        Ensuring that adequate reading materials are available to meet demand.

·        Reviewing requests of the library community.

·        Seeking Media Committee review and approval before purchase.

·        Ensuring that materials are appropriate for the level of the K-5 community.

 

Materials selection is made by consideration of review media, announcements of new publications by publishers, user recommendations, media specialist personal review, study of bibliographies on specific subjects and examination of present collection.

 

Policies regarding Selection of Materials

 

The evaluation of materials is characterized by flexibility, open-mindedness, and responsiveness to the changing needs of the library community.  Because needs change, the materials must be evaluated initially and on a continuing basis.  Materials are evaluated as a whole and not on the basis of a particular section or sections.  A work will not be excluded from the media center’s collection because it presents an aspect of life honestly, as long as it is age appropriate.  Criteria for selection may be different for different items at different times.  Sometimes the criteria include artistic merit, scholarship, award winners, or the value of the material to the informational needs of the community.  Sometimes the criteria are substantial demand, i.e. current trends in teaching, series books, and interdisciplinary units taught in themes.

 

Recreational materials are collected to provide enjoyment, stretch the imagination, cultivate a love of learning and reading, stimulate creativity, supplement study, and provide an awareness of many different ideas.

 

To build a collection that is vital and useful to the community, the media center strives for prompt acquisition of new materials and elimination of worn-out and dated materials.

 

·        Purchase requests – student and staff requests are given top priority and carefully considered and weighed in relation to the total media center collection and budget.  An active consideration file will insure selection rather than just choosing books in order to use allocated funds.  So that teachers and students are encouraged to make recommendations, the following form will be made available for use in the media center.

 

Request for Purchase

 

          Do you have a recommendation for materials that you would like to have added to our media center?  Are there subjects about which we need more material?  Fill in the information on this form as well as you can.  Turn in your form to the media specialist.  As funds become available, we will purchase these needed materials.  Remember, when you request materials, be sure that you have seen, used, or know that these materials are appropriate for our school and curriculum.

 

Author (if applicable):_____________________________________

 

Title: __________________________________________________

 

Publisher/Producer: ______________________________________

 

Price: _________________________________________________

 

Catalog and page number in which found (if applicable):_________

 

Check one:   _______book material      _______ audiovisual material

 

I do not know of an appropriate title, but we need more materials on (list subject):___________________________________________________

 

Teacher or Student Requesting: ________________________________

 

Date: ________________


·        Gifts of materials that have no conditions as to use, location, rebinding, or disposal are accepted by the media center.  The same standards of selection are applied to gifts.

 

·        Duplication – Duplicate copies of materials are purchased to take care of permanent or temporary demands, i.e., dictionaries, thesauri, class sets of fiction titles, materials used in school wide units and books for Accelerated Reader.

 

·        Replacements:  In considering replacement of media center materials withdrawn because of theft, damage or wear, each case is weighted with regard to several factors.  If there are duplicate copies, other books that adequately cover the subject area, similar materials that is more recent, and demand for the title are all considered.  In the book collection, superseded editions are weeded regularly and replaced with the latest editions.  Every effort is made to replace important titles.

 

Criteria used in the Selection Process

 

1.     Suitability of physical form for media center use

2.     Suitability of subject, style and format for the intended age level

3.     Present and potential relevance to the community interests and needs

4.     Number and nature of requests

5.     Current or historical significance

6.     Relationship to the existing library collection and to other materials on the subject which are available in those collections

7.     Reputation and significance of the author, illustrator, publisher, or producer

8.     Attention of critics, reviewers

9.     Appropriateness and effectiveness of medium to content

10. Physical limitations of the building

11. Commercial availability of the material

12. Cost


Selection Tools

 

            The media specialist will use reputable, unbiased, professionally prepared selection aids.  Among the sources which may be consulted are:

 

            Bibliographies:

 

·        American Historical Fiction

·        Basic Book Collection for Elementary Grades

·        The Best in Children’s Books

·        Children and books

·        Children’s Catalog

·        Elementary School Library Collection

·        European Historical Fiction and Biography

·        Guide to Sources in Educational Media

·        Reference Books for School Libraries

·        Subject Guide to Children’s Books in Print

·        Subject Index to Books for Primary Grades

·        Westinghouse Learning Directory

 

Current reviewing media:

 

·        Booklist

·        Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

·        Horn Book

·        Kirkus Reviews

·        School Library Journal

·        Media & Methods

·        Library Journal


Weeding Process

 

                Weeding should be a continuous evaluative process to discard obsolete and worn out materials.  The faculty should be included in the weeding process to avoid removing materials that may be useful.

 

Weeding Guidelines

         

          The collection of the school library media center should be designed to support the curriculum and meet the needs and interests of the students.  The development of a quality collection requires selection principles which are applied to the acquisition of materials.  In order to maintain the quality of the collection, it is also essential to apply weeding principles.

 

          Carefully planned weeding will ensure that the collection in the school library media center contains accurate, current, and relevant materials to support the curriculum and meet the needs and interests of the students.  The collection of materials which is appealing in content as well as appearance will result in greater utilization of resources.

 

Materials Which Should be Removed

 

·        Worn and damaged titles

§        Damaged/missing pages, cover, binding

§        Scratched/torn audiovisual materials

§        Damaged/torn study prints

 

·        Superseded titles

§        Previous editions of almanacs, directors, yearbooks

§        Encyclopedias should be considered for weeding at least every five years

 

·        Duplicate titles

§        All unnecessary duplicates not circulating

§        Retained copies, if not circulated in two years

 


·        Other Criteria

§        Outdated and inaccurate materials

§        Poorly written materials or improved editions

§        Materials no longer appropriate for reading/interest level of current student body

§        Materials no longer in demand or which do not support the curriculum

§        Materials that are condescending, stereotyping, patronizing or biased

§        Materials which have not circulated in three to five years

 

Materials Which Should Be Retained

 

·        Classics, award winners, and titles in standard bibliographies

·        Out of print materials which continue to have value to the curriculum or are of interest to students

·        Local histories and materials of local interest

·        Materials which are needed to balance a specific subject area

·        Expensive items

 

Statement of Reconsideration Policy

 

Please see the Gwinnett County policy.

 

Code of Ethics (American Library Association June 30, 1981)

 

1.     Librarians must provide the highest level of service through appropriate and usefully organized collections, fair and equitable circulation and service policies, and skillful, accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests for assistance.

 

2.     Librarians must resist all efforts by groups or individuals to censor library materials.

 

3.     Librarians must protect each user’s right to privacy with respect to information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired.

 

4.     Librarians must adhere to the principles of due process and equality of opportunity in peer relationships and personnel actions.

 

5.     Librarians must distinguish clearly in their actions and statements between their personal philosophies and attitudes and those of an institution or professional body.

 

6.     Librarians must avoid situations in which personal interest might be served or financial benefits gains at the expense of library users, colleagues, or the employing institution.

 

7.     Teachers and students are encouraged to make recommendations for media center materials, which will be kept in a consideration file until such time as an order is processed.