Richland  Library Media Center

Vision

    The Richland Elementary School Media Center is active and vibrant, meeting the needs of the entire school population. By employing an inviting atmosphere, flexible scheduling, creative and stimulating lessons, technology tools, and collaboration with teachers, we hope to build a love of literature and reinforce and enhance the learning of information literacy strategies and 21st century skills.  We provide resources and materials for both students and teachers to support academic achievement and we promote challenging and dynamic learning for all RES Champions. 

Media Center Goals

Media Center Goals

            Setting goals is an important first step in beginning the media program.  As we work toward becoming the media center of our vision, we will set goals, prioritize actions, evaluate our progress and redirect as necessary.  These goals assist our school in achieving the overall goals of Auburn City Schools as well as reflect the unique needs of Richland Elementary School. Areas for emphasis include increase student academic performance, increase use of technology, enhance character development, provide a safe, nurturing, orderly environment and have a strong, positive, relationship with stakeholders. The Media Center goals reflect our unique contribution in achieving these goals. 

Media Center Goals include:  

·       Create an environment that is centered on the unique needs of all stakeholders –students, teachers, administration, parents and community members. 

·       Support and enhance the academic achievement of Richland Elementary Students

·       Support and encourage students in using 21st Century Skills and Tools. 

·       Support teachers in their instruction both through resources and professional development.

·       Promote and encourage all forms of reading

Plan for accomplishing the Media Center Goals: 

Goal 1

Create an environment that is centered on the unique needs of all stakeholders - students, teachers, administration, parents and community members.

1. The physical layout, colors and furnishings of the room encourage students to touch, explore, browse, enjoy and want to stay in the media center. 

2. Appropriate protocols are established so that students can find certain freedoms in the media center but they cannot hinder the rights of others. Students are taught these protocols in media classes.  Classroom teachers also understand the media center protocols to assist with student behavior. 

3. All media center personnel exhibit warm, friendly attitudes toward library users and focus on building relationships by putting our patrons first with service and a smile. 

4. Use teaching opportunities, collaboration and flexible scheduling to do activities that promote the goal of a student centered media program.

5. Publicize activities and events in the media center through a monthly newsletter, and updating the Media Web Page.

6. Encourage parent involvement through the Book Buddies program – a program for parents to help shelve books, work with students and help with Book Fairs and Birthday Book Club.

Goal 2

Support and enhance the academic achievement of Richland Elementary students.  

1. Post a monthly schedule of lesson plans and learning opportunities available through the media center for teacher sign up. Encourage all classes to come to the media center each week either for whole class lessons, individual work or small group work in addition to book check out time.

2. Focus on using the collaborative teaching module to enhance the level of learning for students.  Through collaborative learning projects, all students will be exposed to technology and higher order thinking skills.

3. Teach and support other forms of literacy through media lessons and collaborative activities

·        Information Literacy

·        Media Literacy

·        Civic Literacy, Environmental Education and Global Awareness

·        Health Literacy  

4. Support authentic learning through speakers, special presentations, field trips and other forms as possible.

Goal 3

Support and encourage all users in using 21st Century skills and tools.  

1.  Provide lessons for all students to practice and develop 21st century skills.  Collaboration with teachers, especially 3rd, 4th and 5th grade, on curriculum objectives and learning projects that incorporate 21st Century skills and tools will be a vital component to reaching this goal.  This will be accomplished by attending grade level meetings, meeting regularly with individual teachers, and using a collaboration form to assist in planning and implementation.   

      21st Century Skills include:

• Higher order thinking skills
• Teaching students how to think and analyze information – access, use and evaluate information sources.
• Creativity and Innovation
• Cooperation
• Communication
• Critical Thinking and Decision making
• Leadership, Responsibility and Accountability

            2.  Plan lessons and activities that teach the use of a variety of technology tools.             Such tools include:

·        Safe use of internet sites

·        Understanding search engines and search strategies

·        Evaluation of web site information

·        SmartBoard activities.

·        Presentation forms such as Powerpoint, Publisher,Web page authoring, Movie Maker, Photostory, and Word.  It is vital that students are familiar with and understand   how to use technology as a part of learning.

Goal 4

Support teachers in their instruction both through resources and professional development. 

1. Provide a monthly professional development activity after school to enhance teacher learning and use of technology

2.  Work with the technology plan and administration to establish technology professional goals for our school.  

3. Continue to build the media center collection and use a teacher wish list and suggestion box for the purchase of new library materials.  

4. Assist teachers in finding alternative teaching resources as we are in the initial phases of starting a library. 

Goal 5

Promote and encourage all forms of reading. 

1. Promote and encourage reading by frequently changing book displays and bulletin boards.  

2.  Do book talks, author studies and read aloud as part of monthly media activities.  

3.  Host special reading promotions to encourage reading.  Possible ideas include: 

·        National Children’s Book Week with contests and games

·        Character Dress Up day

·        Reading slumber party or campout

·        PTA night – Storytelling Under the Stars

·        Reading Round Up

·        Chapter Chill Out

·        Literary Pumpkins

·        Birthday Book Club and Book Fair