Policies and Procedures Manual

 

Mission Statement

School library media programs facilitate learning through collaboration with students, teachers and the learning community to provide resources and meaningful learning experiences. The library media center encourages reading and literature appreciation, critical thinking and independent learning. The LMC teaches information literacy skills and provides access to intellectual resources. The library media center supports the curriculum of the school, contributes to student achievement and encourages students to be lifelong learners.

Vision

The vision of the library media center is to empower students with a foundation for lifelong learning and to ensure that students are effective users, produces, and communicators of ideas and information. 

 

Philosophy

 The philosophy of the library media center is to foster a love of reading and the motivation to become a lifelong learner.  The library media center seeks to prepare students by providing information literacy skills that promote responsible decision making. The library media staff believes that all students can learn and seeks to provide an environment where all are welcome, feel accepted, and appreciated in their efforts. Collaboration between the LMC and students, teachers, parents, and the learning community, is necessary to provide the best education possible for students.

Library Goals and Objectives

• To acquire and maintain a variety of media center resources which meet the needs of the users.
• To teach students the necessary information literacy skills to be efficient and effective information users.
• To support the school’s curriculum by providing necessary materials and appropriate guidance and instruction.
• To encourage an appreciation of a wide variety of literature and develop a love of reading.
• To motivate students to become lifelong learners.
• To provide a welcoming environment that is conducive to learning.

 

Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 18, 1948, by the ALA Council; amended February 2, 1961; amended June 28, 1967; amended January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 24, 1996.

A history of the Library Bill of Rights is found in the latest edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual.

 

The Nine Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning:

Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.

Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently.

Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.

Standard 4: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues information related to personal interests.

Standard 5: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information.

Standard 6: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.

Standard 7: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society.

Standard 8: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and technology.

Standard 9: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

 

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING

The library media center provides an open, flexible schedule for all. An open schedule allows students and teachers to come to the library media center throughout the day on a need basis to:

 

·        Use information resources

·        Read

·        Check books in and out

·        Meet and work with teachers and other students

 

A flexible schedule encourages collaboration and planning between the library media specialist and the teacher resulting in a library media program that supports the school’s curriculum through integration of information skills with the school’s curriculum and developing assignments that encourage open inquiry.

 

 

 

Budgeting Procedures

 

The library media center’s budget will be a collaborative effort of the Library Budget Committee. The Library Budget Committee consisting of four teachers and the principal, or the principal’s designee.

The Library Budget Committee will consider the needs of the students, teachers and the library media center and propose the distribution of the library funds.

 

The budgeted money can be used for: library enhancement, classroom materials and supplies, professional development and supplies. Other expenditures may include: book binding, repair, CD ROMs, computer software, computer equipment, cataloging, audio-visual materials, newspapers, magazines, recordings and video tapes.

 

The following consideration will be made while developing the library’s budget.

 

• Alabama State Code must be followed.

• The budget should support the philosophy of the LMC and the

the community that it serves.

• Meeting the 21st Century learning needs of students in the

school.

 

Primary considerations in planning a new library media facility or renovating an existing one?

•      Conduct a needs assessment to analyze: the future population in the school, current condition of the new facility, Maintenance history and the current schedule, budget prospects now and in the future, potential changes in use.
• ·        Working with a planning team of architects and school system staff
• ·        Selecting architects who have planned successful libraries
• ·        Visit other libraries with your planning team for design ideas and tips (what works and what doesn’t) in their libraries.
• ·        Discuss what potential patrons are looking for in their new library  

   

        Creating an inviting environment

 

•   Calculating necessary shelving
• ·        Supervision
• ·        Providing a story area
• ·        Planning lighting (needs to be versatile)
• ·        Specific requirements for libraries by the ADAAG

 

 

Disaster Preparedness and Preventative Measures

The Disaster Preparedness Committee will develop a response plan for potential disasters that will include the following:

·        Insurance

·        Install smoke detectors and a fire suppression system

·        Avoid flood plains if possible. Be involved when roof work is planned to avoid leaks

·        Keep the library from becoming dark and damp. Keep the air conditioner on in the library during the summer. When carpets are shampooed, make sure the dehumidifiers are on until the humidity level is where it should be.

·        Plan to avoid the loss of library data

·        Possible relocation

·        Communication and disaster plan of action

 

 

 

Services/Activities Offered:

Story time: a time for families with young children to enjoy a read-aloud at the school library media center.

Family Life Collection: Videos, DVDs, books, magazines and pamphlets on topics of concern for families. Videos such as "Common Sense Parenting", "My Space Guide for Parents", and "Active Parenting" can provide helpful hints.

Technology instruction: assistance for students and parents on a variety of technology used in the library media center.

Use of the technology available in the library

Catalog 2.0

References services

Student book awards

Accelerated Reader

Book clubs

Book fairs

Comfortable places to enjoy books

 

Events calendar:

http://www.airset.com/AirSet.jsp#app.Calendar+gi.hORcCXnIGBtV_v.month+t.2010-08-21+ex.1 

Information about special events on the calendar:

Events Calendar.doc

 

 

 

 

 

Advocacy Public Relations

Links to Advocacy and Public Relations materials for the school library media center:

 

Advocacy Postcard Administrators.pub

 

Advocacy Students.pub

 

Advocacy Teachers.pub

 

Don't judge a school library by its cover.pub

 

Advocacy Parents.pub

 

Advocacy Public buisness card.pub

 

 

Professional development:

The LMS will participate in professional development by writing an annual PDP and completing the appropriate professional development as stated on their PDP.

The PEPE will be used to evaluate the LMS. The library media specialist will also use the PEPE for self-assessment.

 

 

 

 

"Equipment Maintenance, Repair, and Disposal Plan"

Consider equipment repair if: 

• The equipment is less than four years old

• Equipment is under warranty/or maintenance plan is available by the school district

• Replacement would exceed the cost of repair

Consider disposal of equipment if:

• The equipment is more than four years old

• The cost to repair the equipment is equal to the cost of a new piece of equipment

• Newer generation of equipment offers needed improvements/additional features that would better serve the library’s users

 

Storage:

Storage of LMC equipment in located in the workroom of the LMC. Equipment should be checked out appropriately by staff. Equipment that is not working properly should be brought to the attention of the LMS.

 

 

 

Computer usage:

Computers are available for all patrons of the LMC. Users are asked to be considerate of others waiting to use a computer. On the occasion that there are not enough computers avail be for all LMC patrons, computer use will then be limited to 45 minutes.

 

 

 

Staffing/Job Descriptions/Responsibilities/Volunteers

Library Media specialist

 

The LMS promotes the development of information skills and a love of reading in students by establishing an effective school library media program. The library media specialist will provide a school library program that functions as an essential part of the whole educational program, supporting the curriculum and goals of the school district, their school, and the individual needs of students. The LMS participates in curriculum planning to integrate information literacy skills with the curriculum of the school. The LMS serves as an information specialist assisting teachers, students, and the learning community with their information needs.

 

Essential responsibilities of the LMS include (but are not limit to):

 

·        Ensuring a welcoming environment in the LMS

·        Collaborating with the classroom teachers to integrate information literacy skills with the curriculum of the school

·        Participating in curriculum planning for the whole school

·        The LMS will be an expert on the school’s curriculum

·        Providing professional development and technology training for library staff and teachers

·        Managing the library’s budget

·        Managing the library collection

·        Managing staff and volunteers

·        Providing a variety of resources to accommodate diverse learners

·        The LMS will be example of a life-long learner

·        The LMS will be advocate for the LMS

 

 

 

Library aide

 

The library aide will assist the LMS in the effective, efficient operation of the school library media center by assisting with LMC maintenance by shelving books, repairing books and materials, and by helping to maintain a welcoming environment in the LMC. The library aide will assist students and teachers with information needs.

 

The essential responsibilities of the library aide include (but are not limited to):

 

·        Shelving books

·        Assisting in locating resources

·        Supervising students

·        The library aide will operate and maintain audiovisual equipment

·        Checking books in and out

·        Assisting in maintaining a welcoming environment in the LMS

·        Assisting with inventory

·        Assisting with fundraising activities

·        Printing monthly statistics reports

 

 

 

Volunteers

 

Volunteers will assist with maintaining a welcoming environment in the LMC by shelving books, checking books in and out, and assisting the LMS, staff, and patrons.

 

Essential tasks of the library media center Volunteer include (but are not limited to):

 

·        Shelving books

·        Checking books in and out

·        Assisting in maintaining a welcoming environment in the LMC

·        Assisting patrons in locating resources in the LMS

·        Assisting with fun raising activities

·        Assisting with incentive/celebration activities

 

 

 

 

Student aide

 

Student aides will assist in maintaining a welcoming environment in the LMC by shelving books, checking books in and out, and assisting the LMS, staff, and volunteers.

 

Essential responsibilities of the student aide include (but are not limited to):

 

·        Shelving books

·        Checking books in and out

·        Assisting in maintaining a welcoming environment in the LMC

·        Assisting in locating resources in the LMS

·        Assisting with fun raising activities

·        Assisting with incentive/celebration activities

 

  

 

Library Evaluation:

The library will be evaluated annually using the “Library Media Program Administration Evaluation Form” which can be located at http://carolynstarkey.mrooms2.net/file.php/7/Standards_Objectives_and_Guidelines/Alabama_Library_Media_Handbook.pdf.

The LMS and the planning committee will use evaluation as a tool for future LMC planning.