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School Library Media Program Comparison. Observations and Interviews conducted by Christine Caruso. College Gardens Elementary Media Center Rockville, MD. College Gardens Overview. Student population: 800 students Students to teacher ratio: 27 to 1 Media Center Budget: $7,000
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School Library Media Program Comparison Observations and Interviews conducted by Christine Caruso
College Gardens Overview Student population: 800 students Students to teacher ratio: 27 to 1 Media Center Budget: $7,000 Media Center Overview: -One full time media specialist with a .875 assistant -Flex scheduling for research with fixed weekly and biweekly lessons for all grades -A large facility with: 10,000 titles in the collection 6 computer stations and a full lab Online Database Collection Fiction/nonfiction/periodicals/ reference/resource sections -an instructional section with promethean board along with a separate story time section
Collaboration, Cooperation & Coordination “I try hard to collaborate with teachers. There are some cases in which we show true collaboration for research projects. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I feel that most of my work falls within cooperation & coordination.” –Cyndi K. (SLMS) 2nd & 5th grade teams: full collaboration for research K, 1st grade & 4th grade: cooperation with curriculum 3rd grade and specialists: coordination of materials
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School A private Catholic school in Olney, MD
OLGCS Demographics Student population: 1,283 Student to teacher ratio: 20 to 1 Media Center Budget: $25,000 + Media Center Overview: One full time media specialist and a full time assistant Fiction/nonfiction/periodicals/ religion/reference sections Computer hubs on both sides of the center along with study carols, tables and a promethean board Extensive Online Database collection Two full class size computer labs Lounge area with plush chairs
Collaboration at OLGCS? • “Most teachers are not open to full collaboration with me. However, I do support the curriculum by pulling materials for classes and creating libguidewebpages for their use… • I also instruct the staff and students on how to use the databases for research and give input on certain project requirements.” –Marybeth (SLMS)
Beltsville Academy: K-8 public school in Beltsville, MD Beltsville is split between two buildings: An elementary facility and a middle school facility. Both share the same media center.
BeltsvilleOverview Student Population: 1,068 Student to Teacher Ratio: 22 to 1 Media Center Budget: $1,200 Media Center Overview: -One full time media specialist -Fixed scheduling for K-5 -Some flex hours for 6-8 research -A smaller center with projector screen, story time area, 6 tables, 3 computers - 15,000 Fiction/nonfiction/Black-eyed Susan /reference sections -Online database collection -Faculty room attached to media center
Coordination… • “Due to my schedule, I don’t have much free time to meet with staff. I do pull materials for them, and plan instruction to match the curriculum content.” • -MaryBeth B. *Fixed schedule: Weekly lessons with K-5 *Flexible time:(Thursday pm) Media support for 6-8 Research
What are the main differences in these media programs? • Budget amounts • Collaboration • Scheduling (fixed vs. flexible) • Staffing allocations • Size of media center • Collection Materials
Reasons for the differences: • Private vs. public schools • Montgomery vs. Prince George’s County • Schedules set by SLMS or by administration • Staffing set by county or by school administration • Budget set by county which influences collection development, technology etc • Planning time & rapport with staff varies, which affects collaboration
Finally, My Ideal Library… Has a full-time assistant supporting the SLMS Allows for flexible scheduling for instruction, collaboration & assessmentContains a well developed collection with a variety of equipment A reasonable budget to meet the needs of my students and staff
References • American Association of School Librarians. (2009). Empowering learners: Guidelines for school library media programs. Chicago: American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association. • Bauernschub, M. (2012). Beltsville Academy Website. Retrieved from: http://www1.pgcps.org/beltsville/index.aspx?id=152430 • Kelly, C. (2012) College Gardens Elementary Website. Retrieved from: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/collegegardenses/mediacenter/ • Milcetich, M. (2012) Our Lady of Good Counsel Website. Retrieved from: http://olgchs.libguides.com/