From: Diandra Walker (Media Specialist Candidate) Subject: Library Media Program Evaluation Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for being given the opportunity to complete my field experience within the facility at Morgan Elementary. One of the tasks given required that candidates evaluate the program operations within the school media center. Morgan is running an effective facility with many areas rating exemplary and proficient. There is, however, always room for improvement. The results of the evaluation are explained below. Summary of Results Based on the findings after performing the program evaluation, we identified the following areas as exemplary: 11. Print and non-print resources and access to online information are basic to a library media program. A school network is effective for delivering media resources to the classroom and beyond. Multiple computers are available for student access to online resources that enhance instruction. 12. All library media resources are managed for maximum efficient use. The library media center has an electronic online public access catalog (OPAC). Funds for acquisition of computers are utilized to implement the goals/objectives set forth in the State Technology Plan 2007-2012 or in the System Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. 14. The local system superintendent shall appoint a system media contact person (SMCP) to serve as a liaison to the department. 16. Each local board of education shall adopt a library media policy that provides for the establishment of a media committee at the system level and at each school. A library media committee makes recommendations and decisions relating to planning, operation, evaluation, and improvement of the library media program. This committee shall annually evaluate library media services and develop a multi-year media plan for budget services and priorities. Areas of proficiency: 1. Information Literacy Standards are integrated into content instruction. 2. Collaborative planning includes both the Library Media Specialists and teachers to ensure use of library media center resources that support on-going classroom instruction and implementation of state curriculum and the GPS and CCGPS. 5 Services are provided to students who have diverse learning abilities, styles, and needs.. 6. Student achievement is routinely assessed.
Areas that could be improved included:
3. Professional library media staff are engaged in active teaching role/s. 4. The library media center resources encourage and support reading, viewing, and listening. 7a. If less than base size: A school system shall provide no less than half-time services of a Library Media Specialist for each school less than base size and shall provide adult supervision in the library media center for the entire instructional day. 7b. If base size or larger: A school system shall employ a fulltime Library Media Specialist for each base size school or larger. 8. There shall be a plan for flexibly scheduled library media center access for students and teachers in groups or as individuals simultaneously throughout each instructional day. Accessibility shall refer to the facility, the staff, and the resources and shall be based on instructional need. 9. School library media center square footage requirements based on FTE. 13. Streaming video is used throughout the school to support the curriculum. Interactive whiteboards and computers are used for teaching and learning throughout the school. A central electronic media distribution system is also available 18. Each local school system shall spend 100 percent of the funds designated for library media center. Actions Steps Although there are some area listed as basic, some of these cannot be addressed immediately and are out of the hands of the media specialist and administration at this time. However, we do plan to address those areas in the future but for now we will address those areas that need immediate attention. Those area are: 3. The media specialist can take on more of an engaging teaching role. A plan is already in place with weekly lessons in the media center serving as an extension to classroom learning. 4. The library does have a variety of resources that address different interests as well as promote and support reading. Accelerated Reader is a program currently offered at the media center as a way to encourage students to read. Students are encouraged to read 45 books in order to attend a field trip in March. In an effort to continue encouragement and support of reading, the media center should attempt to host events in smaller intervals (such as 9 week goals) that address student interests to give them the opportunity to master smaller short term goals along the way while promoting a love for reading. 8. Revise scheduling to create a more open access media center for students and staff.