Atlanta Heights Charter School

Media Center Facilities Plan“Challenging Each Child to Achieve”

Mandy FuestonFrit 7132Fall, 2011

Serves approximately 570 students, Kindergarten through sixth grades

Serves 40 faculty members One full-time Library Technology Specialist

AHCS Media Center Profile

The media center is centrally located on the main hallway

The media center is connected to the computer lab

Media Center Location

The main door of the media center is located in the main hallway. To the left side of the door is a big window.

Entry Way

Library Technology Specialist’s Desk/Circulation Desk

The circulation desk also serves as my desk. I have a desktop computer that I use to check out books but also for other general uses.

The Reading Area

This is the area where I have students meet on the floor. I use the easel to write my “I can “ statements but also to write notes.

The picture below is of the reading spot with foam mats I place on the floor to keep the kindergarteners in their places.

The Stacks

You can see the fiction, non-fiction, and everybody books in this picture

This is the small reference section along with the classroom sets of books and other teacher materials.

This is the young adult section

Seating

This is the only seating that is available to students other than to sit on the floor or the green bench. I use the tables for center work or having the students read independently,

There are two places in the media center for storage. One is in the library and the other is in the computer lab. The computer lab storage cabinet is for AV materials, whereas the storage cabinet is for library supplies, bulletin board supplies, and school supplies.

Storage

The computer lab is home to 30 computers. The teachers may check out the computer lab during certain times during the day. Computer instruction takes place daily through the workshop style of teaching in the media center.

Computer Lab

Achievement Board

Every month I am responsible for creating an achievement board to feature student work that has made a 3.0 or higher . The board is located in the main hallway in between the entrance between the media center and computer lab.

Computers (30 in total)

White Board/Overhead Projector

Lap top Cart

AV Storage

File Cabinet

Desk withcomputer

Young Adult/ProfessionalDevelopment/GuidedReading

ReadingSpot

Reference and Classroom sets

Non-FictionEverybody Books

Fiction

Filecabinet

LTS Desk/Circulation Desk

LargePringer

Book cart

Storage

Magazine Rack

StudentTables

Bench

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Current Facility Floor Plan

A third grader requested that we have “fun places” to read like a “bean bag” chair.

A few of the teachers (across multiple grade levels) expressed an interest in having more computer lab sign out times

A fifth grade student requested more “39 Clues” books, whereas a fourth grade student wanted more mysteries on the shelves.

Survey Comments

76% of faculty and students believe that the media center needs to be more inviting

65% of faculty and students surveyed believe we need to have more reference materials

53% of faculty of student surveyed want more periodicals

62% of faculty and students want more seating for reading

Survey Results

More inviting “reading spot”

Media Center Improvements

Rectangle 13’x8’ $549.99Demco.com

Rocking Chair $205Schooloutfitters.com

Not enough seating for readingSome options include:

• Media Center Improvements

4 Bean Bag Chairs $ 38.77/pieceClassroomdirect.com

3 High Back Bean Bag Chair $49Classroomdirect.com

5 Square Floor Pillows $59.99Demco.com

Organize Teacher/Professional Reference There needs to be more room to organize materials so adding 2 more shelves under the window should give enough space for organization.

Media Center Improvements

2 Shelves 48” high$414 Demco.com

Students can look on each other’s computers while taking AR testsSolution is to have computer carrels

Media Center Improvements

3 Computer carrels $144.99 for starter and $119 for additional. Demco.com

Computers (30 in total)

White Board/Overhead Projector

Lap top Cart

AV Storage

File Cabinet

Desk withcomputer

ReadingSpot withRocker andRug

Reference and Classroom sets

Non-FictionEverybody Books

Fiction

Filecabinet

LTS Desk/Circulation Desk

LargePringer

Book cart

Storage

Magazine Rack

StudentTables

Bench

Bean Bag Chairs

Floor Pillows

ProfessionalDevelopment

Young adultandGuided Reading

AR Testing Stations

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Modified Facility Floor Plan

At National Heritage Academies, we do not have a formal policy where everything is centrally located. Thus, Atlanta Heights does not have a policy either. There are, however, different policies relating to book selection, student use, and reconsideration of library materials through NHA.

Current National Heritage Academies Media Center Policy

Mission StatementThe mission of the library media program at National Heritage Academies is to provide students and educators equitable access to information, ideas, learning, and teaching tools. The library media centers at National Heritage Academies are a growing resource of information for students and staff. Resources include books, periodicals, videos, teacher materials, posters, online references, projection systems, digital cameras, and other technology for circulation purposes. Our collections are developed to support the curriculum and provide students with quality literature.

National Heritage Academies Media Center Policy

Students It is a privilege to use the media center and proper behavior is expected, therefore

if students cannot follow rules and have proper behavior their media center privilege may be suspended

Students in K-6th grade will visit the media center once a week as a class. Students in 7th and 8th grades will use their flexible schedule arranged by the teacher and LTS

Students will receive library instruction, instruction to enhance what they are learning in class, and have literacy promoted.

Students will be allowed to check out library materials at no longer than one week at a time. Students may renew library materials for one week at a time.

Reference materials may only be used in the media center At this time there is no library fine for over-due books, however, students will not

be allowed to check out another book until those over-due materials are returned Students and their parents are responsible for lost or damaged books. Students may not check out books until their accounts become current.

National Heritage Academies Media Center Policy

Mission StatementThe Kennedy Elementary Library provides an environment that encourages intellectual curiosity and personal enjoyment reading. The library offers a rich variety of print and electronic resources necessary to enrich and support educational programs and the certified library media specialist works collaboratively to provide the services necessary to satisfy the evolving informational and recreational needs of the students, faculty, and staff.

National Heritage Academies Media Center Policy

Selection:STATEMENT OF POLICYThe policy of the school is to provide a wide range of library materials on all levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and that offer the presentation of different points of view. The policy also allows for the review of allegedly inappropriate resources through established procedures.GOALS FOR SELECTION

To provide materials that will enrich and support the curricula and personal needs of the users, taking into consideration their varied interests, abilities and learning styles.

To provide a background of information which will enable students to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.

To provide materials with varying points of view on current and historical issues so that users may develop the skills of critical analysis.

To place materials which realistically represent our society and reflect the contributions made by individuals to our American heritage.

To place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials of the highest quality in order to ensure a comprehensive library media collection appropriate for the users.

National Heritage Academies Media Center Policy

Procedure for Selection:* The certificated library media teacher or, if none is

available, the principal, shall use recognized selection tools and processes in selecting library materials.

* Recommendations for purchase shall be solicited from teachers and students.

* Gift and sponsored materials shall be judged by the criteria in the Selection Policy and shall be accepted or rejected by these criteria.

* Selection is an ongoing process that shall include the removal of resources no longer appropriate and the replacement of lost and worn resources that may still be of educational value.

National Heritage Academies Media Center Policy

Copyright Compliance: NHA recognizes that federal law makes it illegal to duplicate copyrighted materials without

authorization of the holder of the copyright, except for certain exempt purposes. Severe penalties may be imposed for unauthorized copying or use of audio visual or printed materials and computer software, unless the copying or use conforms to the "fair use" doctrine.

Under the "fair use" doctrine, unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials is allowed for such purposes as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research as long as four standards are met:

§ The use must be for such purposes as teaching and must be nonprofit. § You may make single copies of the following for use in research, instruction or preparation

for teaching: book chapters; articles from periodicals or newspapers; short stories, essays or poems; and charts, graphs, diagrams, drawings, cartoons or pictures from books, periodicals, or newspapers.

§ In most circumstances, copying the whole of a work is not considered fair use; copying a small portion may be if these guidelines are followed.

§ If resulting economic loss to the copyright holder can be shown, even making a single copy of certain materials may be an infringement, and making multiple copies presents the danger of greater penalties.

While NHA encourages its staff to enrich learning programs by making proper use of supplementary materials, it is your responsibility to abide by NHA's copying procedures and obey the requirements of the law. In no circumstances will it be necessary for staff to violate copyright requirements to perform their duties properly.

Any staff member who is uncertain as to whether reproducing or using copyrighted material complies with NHA's procedures or is permissible under the law should contact their school’s Library/Technology Specialist, Principal or Manager. Assistance in obtaining proper authorization to copy or use protected material when such authorization is required can be provided.

National Heritage Academies Media Center Policy

Reconsideration of Library Materials: Most complaints need to be in writing, identifying the specific content that is objected to

and identifying the person making the complaint. Often a form has been developed that includes the following:

Name, address, phone number, and status (parent, staff) of the person making the complaint.

Description of the specific portions of the work which are thought to be objectionable. An indication of what is being requested: removal of the material, limitations on access,

or restriction to certain grades or classes?The Process for Reconsideration is: Informal – After the complaint is received, there may be an informal process to hear the

complaint and explain the district’s policies and procedures for selection. Formal – If the person wishes to file a formal complaint, they will be given a “Request for

Reconsideration” form . They will be advised to complete the form and return it to the librarian or principal.

Committee – The library committee conducts a review of the work, listens to the concerns of the person filing the complaint, and conducts any additional research needed.

While the book is being reconsidered, it may remain on the shelf and available for check-out

National Heritage Academies Media Center Policy

Internet Use PolicyThe use of the internet should support the curriculum. Use of the internet will be consistent with National Heritage Academies’ mission.

National Heritage Academies Media Center Policy