SMP 2: School Library Media Center Philosophy/Mission Statement

Jessica Horton and Megan Koerner

FRIT 7331

Dr. Stephanie Jones

September 22, 2019

 The Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts Media Center has developed both a mission

statement and a vision statement. “The mission of the Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts

Media program is to collaborate with teachers and other stakeholders to provide quality print and

technological resources to enhance and reinforce meaningful learning experiences for students,

to advocate reading improvement, to foster an interest in literature, and to guide students as they

become skillful producers and consumers of information” (L. Richburg, personal

communication, September 19, 2019).

The vision statement describes the philosophy of the media center. “The media center

will be a welcoming environment for students and teachers. All students will have equal access

to materials and technology. The media center staff will support students and teachers by

providing resources and help to those who use the media center or media center materials. The

media center will provide materials that correspond to the standards and the curriculum” (L.

Richburg, personal communication, September 19, 2019).

The mission and vision statements address the purpose of the media center, the need to

access information, and the need to provide a climate conducive to learning. Further, the mission

and vision statements describe the need to support student learning. The statements address these

items quite thoroughly, and there is not a need for modification. However, the statements do not

describe any connections to the local learning community, so the addition of this information is

necessary. One suggestion would be to expand the last sentence of the vision statement to read,

“the media center will provide materials that correspond to the standards and curriculum as well

as connect learners to learning communities in our school, city, state, country, and world.''
 According to Empowering Learners, “guiding principles for school library programs

must

focus on building a flexible learning environment with the goal of producing successful learners

skilled in multiple literacies” (2009). The mission and vision statements of the Garrison Media

Center fit this description. In describing the purpose of the media center, the statements reflect

that the environment will be used for multiple applications as needed by the learners, and many

strategies for successful learning will be available.

References

American Association of School Librarians. (2009).​ Empowering learners: Guidelines for school

library media programs.​ Chicago, IL.