Media Center: Facilities Plan

Carnesville Elementary School

Gina B. Thomason, Ed.D. FRIT 7132, Spring 2011 Georgia Southern University Instructor Dr. Debra H. Chester

Table of Contents
Introduction
History of School School Mission School Demographics

Research

Survey Monkey Results

Existing Facility

Proposed Facility

Media Center Profile, Polices and Procedures Current Floor Plan Photo Tour District Policies and Procedures

Proposed Floor Plan Proposed Floor Plan Recommendations Proposed Policy Recommendations

INTRODUCTION

History of School
Carnesville Elementary is the oldest of Franklin Countys six schools. It opened its doors for the 1957-1958 school year. That first year, grades one through eight were on the lower wing of the building and nine through twelve were on the upper wing. Specialized rooms housed business education, science, and Home economics. There were traditional classrooms for math, English, and history. A separate building was for vocational education. Little changed until 1964. The consolidated Franklin County High School opened, and grades 9 through 12 moved out. Then in 1971, a junior high opened, and grades 7 and 8 left. Next, the school underwent a major renovation in 1985. Each rooms wall of windows was stuccoed over, the vocational building was divided into classrooms, and the library were enlarged. In 1997, a new gym was built on the CES campus. The original gym had been torn down ten years earlier. In 1999, the 6th grade left and was added to the junior high to make Franklin County Middle School. At the same time, An additional building of classrooms was added to CES. These classrooms now house PreK and third grade.

(http://carnesville.ga.fce.schoolinsites.com/?PageNam e='AboutTheSchool)

School Mission

Carnesville Elementary Faculty/Staff is committed to supporting the social and emotional needs of all learners in order to prepare them to reach a high level of academic achievement on state and national standards.
(http://carnesville.ga.fce.schoolinsites.com/?PageName='AboutTheSchool)

School Demographics
Title 1 Elementary School PreK 5th grade Rural Farming Community in Northeast Georgia 412 Students 62 Faculty and Staff Members

EXISTING FACILITY

Media Center
Profile, Policies and Procedures

Media Center Information

Serves approximately 412 students (PreK through 5th grade) Serves 62 faculty and staff members One full-time media specialist One full-time media paraprofessional

Environmental Elements
The library has a good deal of natural light as it has a bank of windows along one wall. There is a main double door entrance close to the schools main office area. A fire exit is clearly visible from most areas in the center. The media center has an open floor plan that allow easy access for wheelchairs. The conference room, media office and storage room are small and have non-wheelchair width doorways.

Furnishings
Furnishings include work tables and chairs for at least one classroom to sit comfortably. There are additional individual work stations and a reading couch. A reading rug and rocking chair is provided for young students visiting the library during read-aloud times.

Technology and Access

The media center has eight computers for student use. There are two computers used for circulation (check-in/check-out). There is also a computer and printer for teacher use. The media center has wireless access for patrons who can bring their own laptops to work on projects.

Circulation Activity
13,106 items which include books, DVDs, VHS, equipment, and multi media kits. Approximately 800 check-in/checkout transactions daily which include teachers, students, and parents.

Current CES Media Center Policy

CES currently does not have a school level Media Center Handbook. The following slides (10 11) are the only information that could be found pertaining to school level policy and procedures.

Current CES Media Center Guidelines

MEDIA CENTER Policies and Guidelines *Media Center hours are 7:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. *Checkout Guidelines: Kindergartners check out 1 book at a time, First Graders check out 2, and Grades 2-5 may check out 4 books. We encourage parents to become patrons so they may have checkout privileges, too. *Lost/Damaged Fines: Lost book fines are based on the cost of the book. If a book is damaged and returned, the fine reflects the extent of the damage. Book care is important, since the books belong to all of us at CES. (http://carnesville.ga.fce.schoolinsites.com/?PageName='Handbook)

**It should be noted that the media center hours have changed but information on the website has not been updated. Hours are currently 7:20am 4:00 pm.

Current Parent Resource Center Guidelines

The Parent Resource Center contains printed and video materials that are designed to address parental concerns regarding many issues. These materials may be used in the resource center located in the media center or checked out for use at home.
(http://carnesville.ga.fce.schoolinsites.com/?PageName='Handbook)

Current Floor Plan

*measurements are not correct

Buy SmartDraw !- purchased copies print this document without a watermark . Visit www.smartdraw.com or call 1-800-768-3729.

Photo Tour
Of Existing Facility

Front of school and Media Center

Office and Conference Room

One conference room (not shown) has been turned into the nurse office. Conference room shown is used on a regular basis. A sign up calendar for meetings is posted on the door. Librarian office glass wall provides a view of the media center.

Main Library area

Work tables and work stations (left) Reference section (right)

Main Library Area

Media Production

Circulation Desk and Computers

Parent Resource and Storage Room

Franklin County School District

Media Center Policies and Procedures

District Media Center Policy

The goal of the Franklin County School Board is to provide a quality media program through seeking cooperatively-planned, instructionally-related, unified media services that are developed at the system and school levels, accessible to teachers and students, and effectively managed by media professionals. The superintendent shall appoint a system media contact person to serve as liaison with state, regional and community agencies, from system level to schools, and among schools and systems.

A media committee shall be established at the system level and at each school to carry out required media functions as specified in BOE Rule 160-4-4-.01 Media Programs.
This policy and all established procedures shall be reviewed annually with system and school personnel.

(https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFBD&Sch=4070&S=4070&RevNo=1.23&C=I&Z=P)

Procedures for Selecting Materials

The school and system media committees shall serve in an advisory capacity for the selection of media to meet the needs of the individual school or system. The decisions to purchase materials shall be based on the following: 1. Philosophy of the school system 2. Curriculum of the school system 3. Objectives of the school system 4. Teaching techniques used in the school system 5. Nature of the school population to be served 6. Existing collection 7. Budget priorities Criteria by which media materials are evaluated for purchase include: 1. Overall purpose of the work 2. Appropriateness for the subject areas taught and the age and ability levels of those for whom the materials are selected 3. Timeliness or permanence 4. Balanced treatment of topics of a sensitive nature 5. Quality of writing/production 6. Readability 7. Reputation of the author, editor, publisher, producer, and/or distributor 8. Format 9l Technical quality and adequacy of documentation

(https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFBD&Sch=4070&S=407 0&RevNo=1.23&C=I&Z=P)

Procedures for Reconsideration of Materials

When an individual raises a question concerning the content of any material, the person and the question should be treated with respect for the rights of the questioning individual and the rights of others who may view the material differently. The following steps will be taken in handling such complaints: (steps on following slides)
(https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFBD&Sch=4070&S=4070&RevNo=1.23& C=I&Z=P)

Step #1
Invite the complainant to file his/her objections in writing using the form "Request for Reconsideration of Materials". Inform the principal of the school and it's media committee. All challenged materials will remain in circulation until the complaint is processed and a final decision reached. When the completed "Request for Reconsideration of Material" form is returned, the school media committee shall reevaluate the questioned material in light of accepted selection policies and educational objectives of the school.

(https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFBD&Sch=4070&S=4070&RevNo=1.23&C=I&Z=P)

Step #2
The committee will: Read and examine materials. Check general acceptance of the materials by reading reviews if available. Weigh values and faults against each other and form opinions based on the materials as a whole and not on passages pulled out of context. Meet to discuss the material and to prepare a report on it. File a copy of the report with the principal of the school, the Superintendent, the curriculum director, and the concerned individual.
(https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFBD&Sch=4070&S=4070&RevNo=1.23&C=I&Z=P)

Step #3
If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, a written appeal shall be submitted by the 15th working day after the complainant has received the committee's statement. The appeal shall be submitted to the system wide media committee, which shall reevaluate the material and submit its written decision to the individual and the Superintendent. If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision, he/she may meet with the Superintendent within 15 working days of receiving the decision from the system wide media committee. If satisfaction is still not received, he/she may present a written appeal to the district Board of Education within 15 working days of meeting with the Superintendent. The Board of Education will consider the appeal at their next regularly scheduled meeting, and will respond with a written reply. If the complainant is still not satisfied, he/she may present a written appeal to the State Board of Education, requesting a hearing.
(https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFBD&Sch=4070&S=4070&RevNo=1.23&C=I&Z=P)

Procedures for considering gifts of instructional resources

The acceptance of instructional materials as gifts to media centers shall be subject to the review and decisions of the media professional. Gifts must contribute to the furtherance of the objectives of the instructional programs and shall be subject to the same evaluation criteria as those used for purchasing materials.
(https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFBD&Sch=4070&S=4070&R evNo=1.23&C=I&Z=P)

Procedures for using nonschool owned materials

All non-school owned print and non-print materials utilized in the instructional program by teachers, students and guest presenters shall be supportive of the adopted curriculum for the course being taught

(https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFBD&Sch=4070&S=4070&RevNo= 1.23&C=I&Z=P)

Adherence to Copyright Laws

School board employees may reproduce copyrighted materials only under the provision of the copyright laws currently in force and according to the guidelines for classroom copying and use of materials in not-for-profit educational institutions. Reproduction of copyrighted materials not within the bounds of these guidelines requires written permission of the copyright holder. (See copyright clearance form.) In no instance shall media and/or equipment be used in such a manner that would violate Board policy or the law. There will be one individual at the system and at the school level responsible for insuring the availability of copyright information. For a video program to be legal within the fair use guidelines which govern public performance, four criteria must be met: The use must be in a classroom or other instructional area of a not-for-profit educational institution. The use must be by instructors or students. The use must be made in face-to-face teaching and must be related to educational objectives for the unit currently being taught. The copy of the program must be a legal copy.
(https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFBD&Sch=4070&S=4070&RevNo=1.23&C=I&Z=P)

Adherence to Copyright Laws (continued)

Purchased copies of education programs are legal. Programs taped off-air that meet the Congressional Guidelines established for governing such taping are legal copies. These guidelines dictate, that unless otherwise stated in writing, the taped program must be used for face-to-face classroom instruction within 10 working days of the date of the broadcast. After the tenth day such use becomes illegal. Also a program can only be taped and used for one 10 day period by a teacher. Off-air taping guidelines do not apply to or give rights to tape programming from pay channels. Only those VHF and UHF channels that can be received via antenna are covered in educational use guidelines. The use of a rental video is governed by contract law (the contract between the producer and the rental agent); therefore, whether a rental video is "a legal copy" under fair use guidelines would have to be determined according to the wording of the contract between the rental agent and each individual producer. Most copyright sources say that a signed release from rental agent personnel would only provide an accomplice in case of a lawsuit. This is a gray area that can only be decided by a court case. The use of rental videos is discouraged. Any use of a video program for "entertainment" or "reward" is an infringement of copyright law. If there is a question or there are circumstances that are not addressed in writing regarding the legality of materials use, get clearance from the producer in writing. (Complete the "Copyright Clearance Form".) This is the only way of ensuring use of such materials is in compliance and legal.
(https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFBD&Sch=4070&S=4070&RevNo=1.23&C=I&Z=P)

RESEARCH

Results of Survey Monkey

30 total surveys were completed
100% feel comfortable using the media center. 95% reported that the media center offers a variety of materials for student use. 100% responded that it is easy to find materials in the media center. 100% responded that the media center is neat and clean.

Survey Monkey results: Student Responses

Sample responses from the question: What do you like best about the media center?

Survey Monkey results: Student Responses

Sample responses from the question: What would you like changed or added to the media center?

PROPOSED FACILITY

Proposed Floor Plan

* Measurements are not correct

Buy SmartDraw!- purchased copies print this document without a watermark . Visit www.smartdraw.com or call 1-800-768-3729.

Proposed Floor Plan Recommendation # 1

Add outside reading and performance area. This can be added outside the fire exit door. Currently this is unused space on the school campus.

Proposed Floor Plan Recommendation # 2

Remodel/combine existing nurse office and conference room to create a larger more useful conference room.

Proposed Floor Plan Recommendation # 3

Remodeling existing office and parent resource rooms to create a larger more useful community resource room. Currently there is no local community library. This room would be a great asset to the community.

Proposed Floor Plan Recommendation # 4

Enlarge current Media Production room to create a Media Production/Office area.

Proposed Floor Plan Recommendation # 5

Enlarge existing storage room to provide adequate storage for current and future equipment. Currently the room is crowded and overstocked with equipment.

Proposed Policy Recommendation #1

It is recommended that the CES Media Center develop a school level Policy and Procedure Guide that addresses current issues.

Proposed Policy Recommendation #2

Currently there is no media center policy on the use of library computers and wireless internet services. It is recommended that CES Media Center develop a Library computer and internet use policy.
*There is a general district level school internet use policy.

Proposed Policy Recommendation #3

Currently there is no local community library. It is recommended that CES Media Center develop a policy concerning community member use of the school library.

The Library is not a shrine for the worship of books. It is not a temple where literary incense must be burned or where ones devotion to the bound book is expressed in ritual. A library, to modify the famous metaphor of Socrates, should be the delivery room for the birth of ideas a place where history comes to life.
- Norman Cousins