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PHILOSOPHY
The mission of the Robert Morgan Educational Center library/media program is
to provide a comfortable, enjoyable, and inviting atmosphere in which
students, staff, and the community will have access to, and become effective
users of, a variety of ideas and information. The library/media center will
house a wide range of resources that will allow users to explore, evaluate,
and become critical thinkers of information so they may become independent
learners and active participants in a global society.
ACCESS
The library/media center will be open during school hours and have a
flexible schedule so that teachers and students can use the center at the
time of need and inquiry through out the day. The teacher can schedule total
classes, however, in order for this to be effective, prior planning with the
media specialist should take place. In order to ensure maximum student
learning and success rate, it is imperative that the teacher and the library
media specialist work with the class in order to guide, review, and
reinforce instruction. Small groups of 4 and individual students can be sent
to the media center with a pass for research purposes, to work on an
assignment, and for recreational reading.
Students will have access to a variety of resources for recreational
reading, research, and computer usage. In addition, teachers will have
access to professional materials and items that will reinforce and enhance
the curriculum.
CIRCULATION PROCEDURES
Students, faculty are encouraged to use the media center and check out
materials of interest and/or need. Books for students are loaned for a
period of 10 days. Faculty can check out print and non-print materials for a
month and audiovisual equipment as needed or on a yearly basis. Loans can be
extended in order to support curriculum purposes or as needed.
Students may check out up to two books for recreational and/or instructional
needs. Faculty may check out as many items as necessary in order to meet and
support their curricular needs. Any needed materials that are not in the
media center can be accessed through interlibrary loans. Proper care and
responsibility for the timely return of these items is important.
All materials should be returned on date due or as soon as possible after
use. Overdue notices will be given to homeroom teachers who will then
forward it to the students. Assistance and cooperation from the teachers
will aid in the prompt return of books. Students may be limited to the check
out of additional books until overdue materials are returned. Damaged or
lost books need to be paid for in a timely manner so that replacements can
be purchased.
AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT
A variety of audiovisual equipment such as videos, DVD's and CD’s will be
available at the media center. Students may request non-print materials for
viewing in the media center. Teachers may check these out on a long-term
period. Training for the use of these materials can be arranged with the
media specialist. Any equipment in need of repair should be promptly
returned to the media center with a note specifying the problem. Missing
equipment must be reported to the media specialist immediately so that
proper plant security forms can be completed.
INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
Information Literacy Skills-
Information skills will be taught in the media center in order to assist
students in becoming independent lifelong learners and critical thinkers of
a wide variety of information. The media specialist will assist teachers in
helping students learn to access, evaluate, and use information. All classes
will receive orientation at the beginning of the school year and the media
specialist will provide for other reading/library activities. In order to
extend and enhance classroom curriculum and activities it is important that
teachers plan with the media specialist. Planning for these activities can
be done individually or as a grade level. The library media specialist will
attend grade level meetings for the purpose of collaborative program
planning.
Inservice Workshops-
Training on the use and proper care of equipment, the production of
instructional materials, and the use of computers, including the Internet,
can be scheduled through the media specialist. The instructional staff can
request workshops in areas of need or interest.
Production
The library media center offers the following production services that will
enhance and/or reinforce instruction: videotaping, computer-based
presentations, and usage of the Ellison Machine. If assistance is needed
with any of the previously mentioned services, arrangements should be made
through the media center.
Study Aids
School procedures for multiple copies should be followed. Computers and
printers with a variety of software programs are available in the media
center and in the computer lab.
Professional Library
The media center houses an extensive and current collection of a variety of
materials for your personal or professional needs. Staff members are
encouraged to make suggestions for the purchase of materials for these
areas.
Computing Policy
In order to meet the school’s programmatic needs, a variety of computer
software is available. All persons requesting the use of software need to
adhere to copyright laws. Students are allowed to use the Internet in
conjunction with class assignments. Users of the Internet are held
responsible for adhering to the provisions stated in the Acceptable Use
Policy. A copy of the policies can be requested through the media center or
can be accessed at
http://www.dadeschools.net/aup.htm
Student Aides and Volunteers
Students will have an equal opportunity in becoming aides. They will be
selected based on interest, desire, dependability, and responsibility, and
not on scholastic standards. Aides who work before and after school need
parental/guardian permission. Parent volunteers are an important entity to
the media center and are encouraged to partake in the program. Volunteers
and media center staff will plan a mutually convenient schedule so that
meaningful activities or important duties can be arranged. The volunteers
will be trained in various work-related areas of interest.
Copyright
The media center offers many videos and software programs that can
supplement and/or reinforce curriculum. ITV and Teacher’s Choice also offer
many educational videos and programs. The media center offers many resources
and equipment to support, enhance, and supplement the curriculum. Items such
as videos, computers, photocopying machines, VCR’s, and software are
available for use. However, it is important and expected that the Fair Use
and Copyright laws are followed. Video rentals from outside sources are
discouraged and require administration approval.
Advisory Committee
To ensure that the library media program meets instructional needs, it is
necessary to have an existing advisory committee. Said committee will meet
once every grading period and will consist of the media specialist,
teachers, parents, administration, and students. The purpose of the
committee will be to review library media procedures, to assist and partake
in the drafting of the media center budget, and to analyze the information
needs of the media center users.
DISTRICT SERVICES
Film/Video Library-
Dade County Public Schools offers a variety of appropriate educational films
and videos to help supplement, reinforce, and enrich classroom instruction.
A catalog with a listing of titles is located in the media center along with
the form needed to request these materials. In order to ensure the
availability of your requested material in the time of need, it is suggested
that requests be done at the beginning of each grading period and/or school
year. The appropriate order form should be completed and placed in the media
specialist’s mailbox. After entering your requests electronically, the media
specialist will return the form to you indicating expected arrival dates.
You may also personally request the videos at
http://www.dade.k12.fl.us/video/.
Teachers will be responsible for placing films and videos in the school
mailbag by the return date requested on the confirmation notice.
Instructional Television-
Instructional Television programs are also offered through our district. A
catalog containing a listing of titles is housed at
http://www.wlrn.org.
Teacher’s Choice-
Additional instructional programs can be requested through Teacher’s Choice.
A catalog containing
a listing of titles is housed at
http://www.wlrn.org.
Program Evaluation
In order to maintain and/or improve the library media center’s program in
its goal to provide a variety of instructional and recreational materials, a
needs assessment will be conducted yearly. The library advisory committee
will meet every grading period to review and make suggestions. Completion of
the forms by the users of the media center will be needed in the evaluation
process so that the library media center can continue to meet high standards
and provide quality instruction and materials.
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