ILS 562   Management of School Library Media Centers 

Course Description:  The School Library Media Center is examined in the context of modern educational systems. Organization, administration and services are discussed.

Course Objectives:  The student will:
  • Analyze the school curriculum to provide a frame of reference for the selection, evaluation and modification of materials and media.
  • Examine the structure and function of the school library media program in the larger school community in order to effectively aid in the implementation of the instructional process.
  • Identify media and materials requirements (includes a variety of equipment/technologies and multimedia formats and resources) for the accomplishment of specific learning tasks required in various content areas and grade levels.
  • Develop methods of utilization and modification of media and materials to satisfy teacher and student needs.
  • Examine principal bibliographies and sources required to facilitate the evaluation and selection of media and materials.
  • Analyze differentiated programming and requirements for students with varied backgrounds and abilities.
  • Given a description of a proposed school, the student will design the elements of a comprehensive school library media center. Specifically you will be able to (orally or in writing):
    • Write a brief statement of philosophy and objectives.
    • Name the various spaces needed (also size) in the proposed facility.
    • Write educational specifications for one or more areas of the school LMC.
  • Produce a staff deployment pattern and job descriptions for the LMC staff.
  • Given a case study dealing with a problem, or problems, in the field, you will provide (orally or in writing) the following:
    • Main problem
    • Related problems
    • Alternative solutions to the main problem
    • Best solution to the main problem

    
     Planning, budgeting, marketing and designing school library media centers and providing services to a population of students, teachers, parents and community members were all critical issues in ILS 562.  I faced the task of evaluating the programs and physical design of an existing school library media center and developing programs to improve each of these areas.  The course supported core competencies 8C and 8E by requiring an evaluation of the leadership and type/level of services provided by a school library media center.  I chose Bunnell High School in Stratford, Connecticut as the subject of my evaluation.  In order to provide better services to students, the school media center at Bunnell required a physical transformation which would allow greater use of computer technology.  It was a valuable experience to work with the school media specialist to provide a proposal for a redesigned facility. The original physical layout did not provide adequate supervision of student computer terminals or allow the library to be used for multiple purposes simultaneously.  The redesign focused on increasing the number of computer terminals for student use, improving supervision, and allowing multiple work areas for group instruction and study areas.

     In the evaluation, it was recognized that a successful school library media program will service community members within the larger community of the school.  As such, it is incumbent upon the school media specialist to enlist the support of the community and provide services to the community as a meeting place, center of information, and liaison to public library services.  The development of a marketing plan for Bunnell High School allowed me to develop a plan of collaboration and support with all stakeholders in the community in accordance with competency 8D.

     In addition to planning the layout of the redesigned physical facility,  ILS 562 supported core competency 8A by requiring the development of a budget for a mini-collection to improve an area weak in resources for student research.  Similar to the physical redesign, collection policies must allow for the incorporation of technology and include electronic and multimedia information resources.  The number of available choices, costs and accessibility must be taken into consideration in the planning an budgeting of the school library media center.