Strategic Management Plan

FRIT 7331
By: Kelsey Prentice
Fall 2017
Section I: Demographic Information
Section II: School Library Media Center Philosophy/Mission Statement
The mission of the Media Center is to:
1. Help students and teachers become effective and ethical consumers and creators of
information
2. Encourage a life-long appreciation and love of literature and reading
3. Equip students and staff with current and relevant technology skills
The purpose of Dimon’s media center is to promote effective and ethical information consumers
and creators. The media specialist aids our students to not only gain new information, but be able
to relate and reteach those findings in a relevant and successful way. The media center at Dimon
has a goal to bring information literacy standards into content areas outside of the media center.
This will be accomplished through collaboration with other staff members. The American
Association of School Librarians (AASL) mission statement put forth from the AASL includes
the statement “collaborating with educators and students to design and teach engaging learning
experiences that meet individual needs” (AASL 2013, p. 11). The library media center supports
the entire school community with their broad curriculum by offering a wide variety of media and
services that help engage and encourage a life-long appreciation and love of literature and
reading. May it be hardcover books, eBooks, online search engines, or various other methods of
accessing information, our students are exposed to a variety of ways to access information, in
and out of the classroom. Constructive learning occurs in our dust-free, neatly arranged, media
center. The climate provides beneficial portions for effective learning. We have a 24 laptop “lab”
in the easy fiction section of the library, as well as 16 desktops where cords and electrical outlets
are safe and secure. There is an instructional area of 8 work tables with four chairs (up to six per
table) and a large carpet area near the smartboard. Additionally, the media center has seating for
pleasure reading, and a maker’s space area with 3-D printers. This promotes active learning and
allows for student collaboration. Promoting student learning is always the goal when you walk in
the media center. Additionally, the media specialist assist in promoting student learning outside
the media center by co-teaching lessons, and teaching staff useful strategies or tools to use with
students in the classroom and at home. These cooperatively taught lesson will positively impact
student learning and overall achievement. Collaboration between the Media Specialist and
teachers will enhance the lesson as the Media Specialist will bring additional information to the
lesson and also integrate the 21st Century Skills into instruction.
Resources

Empowering learners: guidelines for school library programs. (2013). Chicago, Ill: American

Association of School Librarians.

Dimon Magnet Academy Media Center. Retrieved September 14, 2017, from
http://www.dimonmagnetacademy.com/media-specialist-page

Section III: School Library Media Services Overview

Dimon Elementary’s media center provides many services for students, staff, and parents. Many
of the services follow under more than one role. The schedule/ role that she serves this year, is
different than last year. Student success is the number one responsibility. Teaching students and
staff with current and relevant technology skills is a part of her daily mission. The media
specialist helps teachers and students become effective and ethical consumers and creators of
information. The media specialist encourage a life-long appreciation and love of literature and
reading by:
Role 1: Media Specialist as Teacher
Co-Teaching
Media Center lessons
Maker’s Space
Role 2: Media Specialist as Instructional Partner
Book Population with large ability levels
Sign Language Book Selection
Esol Book Selection
Upper grades current issues

Role 3: Media Specialist as Information Specialist

Co-Teaching
Pulling resources for teachers and students to use
Assisting teachers and students in 2.0 tools

Role 4: Media Specialist as Program Administrator

Literature Night
Book Character Parade
Read Across America Week
Two+ Book Fairs
Role 5: Media Specialist as Leader
Daily Broadcast
Daily Transportation
Professional Development- Achieve 3000
Reading Bowl Coach
The elementary school is open from 7:15- 3:30, however activities occur before and after school.
Students are in class from 8:00-2:30. The media specialist runs the morning announcements as
well as dismissal which play in each room on the smartboard. Last year, the media specialist
would allow students to check out each week, in addition to co-teaching with each teacher per
week. This year, the media specialist is operating a new schedule; administration has requested
she co-teach more in the classroom, not the media center. There is a bi monthly schedule where
the media specialist will allow K-2 classes to check out and have a lesson Monday and
Wednesday, while she co-teaches with 3-5 teachers in the classroom Thursday and Friday. The
following week the media specialist will see 3-5 reading classes for checkout and lesson in the
media center, while Thursday and Friday she will co-teach in the K-2 classrooms. On Tuesdays
she is to spend during grade level meetings with each grade. This allows her to collaborate with
teachers. Often sending technology related lesson plans, and pulling books for classroom use, the
media specialist shares classroom ideas and strategies with teachers that she won’t be able to see
that week. Additionally, on Tuesdays she has blocked off a few hours for selected students to
work in the media center’s maker’s space area.
The book circulation is an important function for the media specialist to instill correctly with
teachers and students. With the new schedule, the media specialist has already noticed a decline
in book circulation by 1,000 books. However, students are allowed to come throughout the day
for independent checkout, if classroom teacher allows. Using self-made videos and songs, the
media specialist teaching the rituals and routines. The effective videos show visuals and audio to
the students. Kindergarten and first grade students are allowed to check out two books per week.
Second through fifth graders are allowed to check out three books every two weeks. Teacher
have unlimited resource check out until the end of the school year when items are due back. If
material are lost, students receive an overdue notice to take home. If a student has an overdue
book, they will not be allowed to check out books. When the book is returned or the fee is paid,
the student may resume book checkout. Parents are not able to check out books under their own
name, however the media specialist assist parents setting up a public library account if needed.
Additionally, the school has parent resources and books to check out through the parent resource
center and parent liaison.
There is not a set “Ethics and Legal Principles” service planned/ provided by the media specialist
this year. Professional development is managed by administration and ethics and legal principles
is not something that is currently on the calendar. The media specialist is available for teacher’s
support of intellectual property rights (copyright and creative commons), ethical information use,
intellectual freedom, and patron confidentiality (privacy), however there is not at least one
annual procedure for reminding teachers of their copyright responsibilities. This is an area of
improvement I see for the media center. Perhaps using a presentation such as “Yes You Can Use
Copyrighted Materials” or “Copyright Clarity: How Fair Use Supports Digital Learning”.
Additionally, addresses ethical information behavior expected of students would be beneficial to
the students. I do know that our instructional technology teacher shares more of these type of
information with the students on acceptable use, however there is not a set plan established for
the school.
My overall assessment on the media center is an 82%. I feel that the school’s media center
functions above average as a 21st century library serving the needs of 21st century learners.
With the new schedule change this year, the media specialist is limited to the set times for each
teacher/ classroom. Even with limited time, the media specialist does a great job equipping
students and staff with current and relevant technology skills that allow them to become effective
and ethical consumers and creators of information. She does an excellent job collaboration and
sharing ideas with all teachers; however she only sees each teacher one to two times a month,
instead of four. The media specialist is a fantastic co-teacher equipping students and staff with
current and relevant technology skills to meet the needs of its learners while building 21st
century skills of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Sharing web 2.0
tools and using e-books in the classroom are built in to her curriculum. The county has a BYOD
(bring you own device) policy and forms for families to fill out, however our school does not
implement this procedure often. I would assume that it would not be a problem if a teacher
wanted to apply this procedure in their classroom. Responsibility, and focused technology use,
are the main issues that concern teachers due to working with elementary school students. I too
agree to the limitation of using the BYOD policy until the students’ expectations are clear to all
involved. Another area that the school library media center can improve its current situation and
services is to provide ethics and legal service for students and teachers. Offering one lesson to all
staff at the beginning of the year would assist in a smooth, legal school year for all staff
members. The media specialist could incorporate the codes of best practices for fair use into co-
taught lessons. This would help educators and students gain confidence about their rights, as well
as how to use them effectively.
Section IV: School Library Media Center Facilities: Inside the Walls & Beyond
The media center has furniture that is over 20 years old provided by the county. (I spoke
personally with the media specialist, and she has requested new furniture that is foldable and
stackable for the past three years, however the school/ county will not approve the new $6,000
request.) There are six tables, with four chairs at each table, arranged around a large carpet. The
carpet is located in the center of the room in front of the smart board. There are also two
computer areas. There are 12 desktops to the left of the carpet area, and 30 laptops in the back
right area of the media center mostly reserved throughout the day for a county reading program
that is used during each grade level’s specials, however can be signed up for by classroom
teachers. The laptops use the school’s Wi-Fi, however the desktops use Ethernet cords.
The book checkout is mostly on the perimeter of the media center, with a few bookshelves in the
back left corner of the media center. Students can access the books, there are some high shelves,
and however, there are stools for the students to stand on. There is a large checkout desk with
two check outstations for students and staff to use. There is one check in station where students
grab their shelf markers with their check-out cards taped to it. Students and staff are able to
check-in and check-out smoothly due to the rituals and routines taught with videos and practice
that have been instilled the first weeks of school. There are small, soft, seating around the media
center for all students and especially for autistic students who need a quiet area.
The sound of the two classrooms across the hall sometimes interfere with the media center’s
environment, and sometimes alarms from the main road are also occasionally heard. The media
center has four window to let in light, however it is mainly lit from overhead lights on four
different circuits. Moisture and temperature do not seem to be a problem in the six years the
media specialist has been there. There can be up to three classes in the media center at a time,
and traffic rarely seems to be a problem, unless you let a whole class check out books at the same
time. It is best to have about ten students selecting books while others read/ wait at the tables or
carpet. There are spaces for small groups to sit comfortably and read or for small group work.
The variety of books and resources are fantastic for all grade level and learning population. The
content of books, build tolerance and empathy for students/ people of all backgrounds,
disabilities, and lifestyles. The range of books is helpful to English language learners,
gifted/talented, and physically disabled students. There is a small sign for students to recognize
these areas. We no longer using Accelerated Reader which was a big enforcer to assisting
students in reading and comprehension, however the media specialist works to find way that
encourage student’s check out and read books.
Our school website was created and is updated monthly by our instructional technology teacher.
There is a tab for the media center where our media specialist created the page. There is not too
much updating that needs to be done, however if it is needed she will make the change when
needed. The funds for the school’s website comes out of the magnet program funds. There is a
“visitor counter” that is private for the instructional technology teacher to see if students,
teachers, and/or parents are using the site, however it does not show if the user clicks on the
resources/ links on the site.
The school’s library website has links to the media center policies, Dimon Destiny (online
catalog), Pebble Go, TrueFlix, Tumble Books, and the Chattahoochee Valley Library catalog.
Our county gives us access to several resources of eBooks and informational sites. Additionally,
we have access to eBooks using the program Epic. Wi-Fi passwords come from the county and
the media specialist can insert them for non-county devices, or they can access the “Guest Wi-
Fi”. There are no devices for overnight student check-out. Technology is to be checked out and
in under the teacher’s account each day. Our school has a filter via there log in settings, and it
seems reliable, when students are making appropriate choices. The county recently has allowed
“YouTube”, and sometimes allowed inappropriate (mostly language) content. A few years ago I
submitted a request to get a web site that is normally blocked by the filter, approved by the
county. The process is easy and flexible with choices in site permission by location and time.
I truly and honestly, think that our media center, and specialist, function at a top notch level. I
have been exposed to a verity of co-workers and media centers, however I am very inspired by
my current media specialist. Rituals and routines are often taught by videos she and other
students have made, and since day one, all students understand the procedures of the learning
environment. The atmosphere is well-lit and organized, with various types of resources. The
educational climate is always overall positive, with adequate space for individuals, small groups,
and whole classes.

One thing that I do see as a negative, is that is can be challenging to schedule time in the media
center and or co-teaching. Due to me being a science and social studies teacher, I am not
scheduled to go to the media center. However, I am able to sign up every two weeks for a co-
teaching lesson where we often work to incorporate 2.0 tools in an inquiry or collaboration. As a
teacher, I am fond of the collaborative lessons with the media specialist. I would welcome more
lessons with her.

Dimon Magnet Academy Media Center. Retrieved September 14, 2017, from
http://www.dimonmagnetacademy.com/media-specialist-page

Section V: Budget Plan Prioritizing with Dollars

Current sources of funds for the media center are allotted by the county. They are given a budget
from the state, which will allot an FTE budget per student. Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) refers to
data collected for Quality Basic Education funding and is based on student enrollment and the
education services provided by local school systems to students. The per-pupil allocation is a
base allocation provided for each student enrolled at a school. The intent of the base is to provide
an amount that is sufficient to cover essential needs at a school. The accounts used in
determining this base amount includes costs for classroom, custodial, training, and office
supplies, library orders, materials, maintenance, and various other items. Our FTE this school
year was about $2,200 per students for all of their funds. Once the school receives the budget
allotted from the county (which allotted it from the state), then the principals can have a final say
in what the media center gets, and how they spend it. Currently, this year the media center was
allotted $5,600 which is about $12 per student. Often the media center is allowed to use all that
the principal has allotted, but some cases they can spend the funds on things needed for the
school, such as a laminator or technology. Our media center hosts two fundraising efforts
throughout the school year in the form of book fairs. However, the media specialist expressed
that what we raise is around $600 each and do not suffice what other schools in the county
achieve. Additionally, the media specialist designs and sells the school yearbook which she can
use as a fundraiser. The funds raised by book fairs and yearbooks go into the general activities
funds which the media specialist uses for items in her makers space, extra technology and extra
things they are not covered by the state funds. I feel that the adequacy of funding is fine,
because any money is good money. However, I do also agree that more money is better
especially if the media center funds are being used for school wide assemblies, field trips, and
machines for the school.

Budget according to goals:

35% Bound to Stay Bound/ Follett/ Materials/ Books

25% Capstone online subscriptions
12.5% Video licensing
6.25% Check in/out materials (scanners, stickers, shelf markers, etc.)
6.25% Guest Speakers/ authors
6.25% Makers Space materials
8.75% Technology for collaboration

Based on my discussions with several media specialists, one traditionally spends their budget
similar each year to help in the maintenance and upkeep of the media center. If it was provided
in the budget, perhaps more technology would be purchased, or at least an update on the
technology that the media center currently has. Because I have set one of my long term goals
allowing students to explore in Makerspace, I have allotted some of the county money towards
this goal. This is allows me to buy needed materials for student exploration and creation.
Additionally, promoting reading hard or eBooks with families is a goal for the media center.
Incorporating authors or guest speakers into the budget provides a way for students and parents
to connect with literature that can often only be experiences from outside sources that foster a joy
of reading. More so, facilitating programs such as Capstone in addition to hard cover books,
reading can be encouraged at school, and at home with families.

Many items that are funded from the media center are used from the “general activities” fund.
Having book fairs, yearbook sales, and other fundraisers would also be something implemented
into the next school year.

Section VI: Planning for the Future

Goals
Goal 1
rd th
This year, 100% of 3 -5
grade students will increase
their Lexile reading level by
(at least) one grade level and students how to effectivity
complete at least two Achieve complete Achieve 3000
3000 activities per week with
an 75% or higher.
The role of reading is very
important. Empowering
Learners explains that “the
school library program
promotes reading as a
foundational skill for
learning, personal growth,
and enjoyment.”
Objectives
A. First two months of
school media specialist will
collaborate with classroom
teacher to assist teaching
article.
B. Provide students who
pass Achieve 3000 articles
with raffle tickets: 70-79%=
1 ticket, 80-99%= 2 tickets,
100%= 3 tickets. Weekly
student raffle ticket drawing
for reward.
C. Achieve 3000 quarterly
parade.
D. In January, based on the
student’s mid-year test,
media specialist and
classroom teacher will
provide Achieve 3000
Evaluation
August- September: Teacher
and media specialist will sign
off on documentation of
Achieve 3000 lessons, and
any additional time
throughout the year per
teacher’s request.
Weekly throughout the year.
Data shows documentation.
End of each quarter: Based on
the Achieve 3000 data,
students who have an average
of two activities per week
with a passing average of
75% or higher will participate
in the quarterly parade
holding a balloon. Students
with a 90%-100% average
will get a gold balloon.
January: Teacher and media
specialist will sign off on
Achieve 3000 intervention
lessons usage sheet for kids.

Goal 2
Students will exercise
meaningful research with
collaboration experiences
between the teaching staff
and library media specialist to curriculum in their classroom.
provide to attain mastery of
information literacy skills.
Empowering Learners
highlights that effective
“library programs promotes
collaboration among
members of the learning
community.”
Goal 3
The media specialist
purposely of promoting
inquiry-based approaches to
21st century learning.
intervention lessons to
failing students.
E. An Achieve 3000 post-
assessment will be
administered in the spring.
A. The media specialist will
provide PD sessions to
inform teachers what is
available to them and how it
can be used to enhance
B. Expand teacher
collaboration and resource
sharing in order to foster a
program that is dynamic and
motivating.
C. Increase collaboration
within the school and
throughout the community.
The media specialist will
attend grade level meetings
to stay informed on what the
teachers need and find ways
to collaborate on specific
lessons.
D. Develop an information
literacy skills curriculum K-
5 to be used to teach lessons
in context with the
curriculum.
A. Once a month have K-2
and 3-5 students in the
Makerspace lab for
creativity and collaboration.
B. Starting by December,
media specialist will
encourage student recording
May: Chart indicating pre and
post test data as compared to
national benchmark.
The teachers will complete an
online pre and post survey to
determine the usefulness of
the professional development
session. This will be done at
the beginning of the year and
the end of the year.
Monthly: Media Specialist
will send out a monthly email
to staff sharing links/
resources for technology
collaboration idea to use in
the classroom. Lesson plans
and student work will be
evidence.
Monthly: Begin attending
grade level meetings once a
month to promote integration
of library media centers with
the curriculum. Meeting
minutes will be documented
for the use of the media
specialist.
The media specialist will
record the conference in her
professional development log
and will deliver useful
information to the appropriate
parties. This will be
completed at the end of the
year.
Monthly: Teacher will submit
5 students per class each
month using a google doc.
By January-May:
Documentation of student
photos/ videos.
An inquiry-bases approach to
learning is an effective
practice for learning.
Goal 4
Promote reading/ eBooks
with families.
Promoting instruction that
addresses multiple literacies
is addressed in Empowering
Learners teaching for
learning.
of Makerspace and interview
their peers/ share ideas.
A. Offer parent course for
Achieve 3000 for parents to
assist in home usage of
program.
B. Throw a grandparent’s
day where families come to
listen to a story read by their
grandchild.
C. Collaborate with PTO to
have a “Reading is Fun
night”.
August and December: Using
the computer lab, teach
parents how to access and
important features for
Achieve 3000. Copy of
handout, sign in sheets for
attendees.
September: Flyer, parent/
teacher sign in, photo
documentation.
February: Itinerary. Parent/
teacher sign in, photo
documentation.