Baker County School Media Center

Blair Ethridge

Mission Statement / Philosophy

According to the school webpage, the mission of Baker County Schools
library media program is to ensure students are effective users of ideas and information and
provide teachers and students with up-to-date, high quality, continuously accessible resources in
a variety of formats. The library will be inviting and stimulating, creating a sense of wonder and
excitement. Existing and emerging technology and resources will be embraced by the library
media specialist as a catalyst for learning. The library program is an integral part of a students
education. It enhances and partners with Baker County Schools mission, while stimulating
students learning. Information literacy skills and ethical use are the main focus of the program
and will be integrated seamlessly into the curriculum. Collaboration and leadership goals are
key when implementing an in-depth, comprehensive program that benefits students, staff,
administration and ultimately the community. Our mission is to incorporate the above factors to
create an enriching and dynamic library media center.
Analysis of Mission Statement / Philosophy
According to Empowering Learners, pg. 33, the library should create a friendly,
comfortable space that is well integrated with the rest of the school. This educational philosophy
gives me a sense of the purpose of the media center which is to create an inviting, stimulating
place with sense of wonder and excitement to be a catalyst for learning. This is exactly what is
need to be inviting, friendly and comfortable.
Empowering Learners, pg. 33, also states that the environment should be conducive to
active and participatory learning. I can see this in the mission statement/philosophy. The mission
statement and philosophy clearly exhibits a climate conducive to learning. I would definitely
mention more about flexible scheduling and timely integration of resources though.
I would also add the need to access quality information that is key for educating students
and providing quality instructional resources for teachers. I would add the need for a proactive
program where resources and technology are up-to-date and high-quality. I feel this mission
statement and educational philosophy does a great job of reflecting the purpose of Baker County
Schools media center.
 Updated Mission Statement
The mission of Baker County Schools library media program is to ensure students are
effective users of ideas and quality information. It strives to provide teachers and students with
up-to-date, high quality, continuously accessible resources in a variety of formats. The library
will be inviting and stimulating, creating a sense of wonder and excitement. Existing and
emerging technology and resources will be embraced by the library media specialist as a catalyst
for learning. The librarys proactive program incorporates flexible scheduling and timely
integration of resources which is an integral part of a students education. It enhances and
partners with Baker County Schools mission, while stimulating students learning. Information
literacy skills and ethical use are the main focus of the program and will be integrated seamlessly
into the curriculum. Collaboration and leadership goals are key when implementing an in-depth,
comprehensive program that benefits students, staff, administration and ultimately the
community. Our mission is to incorporate the above factors to create an enriching and dynamic
library media center.
 Sources

American Association of School Librarians. (2009). Empowering learners. Chicago: American Library
Association.