1. OGLETHORPE CHARTER SCHOOL:
Library-Media Center Facilities Plan
Deborah B. Lindblad
FRIT 7132 -Section Y01
Administration of the Instructional Media
Program - Georgia OnMyLine, Fall, 2009
Instructor, Dr. Judith Repman
2. OGLETHORPE CHARTER SCHOOL:
MISSION STATEMENT
Partnering with parents to inspire students to pursue
educational excellence.
VISION STATEMENT
An innovative learning community achieving maximum
potential through best practices.
VALUES/BELIEFS STATEMENT
At Oglethorpe Charter School, we value innovation,
respect, determination, positive character development,
caring for others, the Core Knowledge curriculum and
accountability in public education.
3. OGLETHORPE CHARTER SCHOOL:
MEDIA MISSION STATEMENT
Partnering with parents, teachers and
administration to ensure that students and staff are
effective and ethical users of ideas and
information.*
*Oglethorpe Charter School Library Media Center does not presently have
a media mission statement. The above statement is a proposal to be
presented at the next Media Committee meeting.
4. SCCPSS SCHOOL MEDIA PROGRAM
PHILOSOPHY
Students will be provided with access to information, ideas, and resources that
promote intellectual freedom, literacy, and life-long learning.
MISSION STATEMENT
As stated in Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning, by the
American Association of School Librarians and the Association for
Educational Communications and Technology, the mission of the media
specialist is “To ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and
information.” (1998) Media specialists provide intellectual and physical
access to materials in all kinds of formats. They offer whole group and
individual instruction to foster competence and stimulate interest in
reading, viewing, and using information and ideas. They work with other
educators to design learning strategies to meet the needs of individual
students.
Oglethorpe Charter School is one of 49 schools in the Savannah-Chatham County
Public School System (SCCPSS).
5. SCHOOL SETTING
Oglethorpe Charter School is a start-up charter middle school which
began operations in 1999. It is the first start-up charter school in
Georgia. With a 2009-10 student population of 420 sixth, seventh
and eighth graders, the school is located in an urban district. The
school employs a total staff of 42, including 29 classroom teachers
and one Library Media Specialist.
6. SCHOOL SETTING
The building is very old and space is extremely limited. One portion of
the school is considered historic, having originally opened in 1926 as
Pearl Lee Smith School.
The picture below-left shows the entrance to the wing where the library
media center (LMC) is located, built in the 1970s. It is about one-third
of the way down the hall from this entrance. The picture on the right is
of the entrance to the historic section, now the 8th grade wing.
Smith, L. (2004). Savannah's historic public schools. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishin
7. LOCATION OF LMC
The LMC is located in what used to be a kindergarten classroom, about two-thirds
down the 6th grade wing away from the 7th and 8th grade wings which all run in
a straight line. In the picture below, the LMC is the third door on the left. The
rough map on the right shows its location in regards to the rest of the school.
8. MEDIA CENTER STATS
The Oglethorpe LMC is approximately 900 square feet.
The LMC contains 6,637 books.
The average publication year of the collection is 1999.
There are an average of 15.8 books per student in the LMC.
Book circulation averaged 1,669 books per month in SY2008-
09.
The average number of student visits per day for SY2009-10
thus far is 127.
The student population comes from all over the Savannah-
Chatham School District, not from one particular neighborhood
or zone, due to the admissions lottery.
Students come from a range of low- to high-income families.
10. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly…
The Existing Floor Plan of the LMC is very small and cramped.
However, this does contribute to one of the LMC‟s positive aspects
in that students can be seen from the circulation desk almost
anywhere they are situated in the LMC. The exception being that
some of the student computers are blocked by the storage location
of the Promethean board, but there is no other place in the LMC it
can be stored. Even so, small is good when it comes to visual
coverage.
Another positive aspect of this LMC is the technology. First, there are
eight student computers plus one for use only as the Patrons
Catalog Station. The recommendation for middle school libraries is
15 computers, but some schools in the district have less than we
do. Additionally, all computers in the school are less than five years
old. Also in the LMC are a Promethean board, ActivSlate, laptop
and multimedia cart that houses an LCD projector, DVD/VCR and
speakers. All of these are used frequently for class visits.
11. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly… continued
Just as being small is an attribute in being able to see students, it is
also one of the biggest problems with this facility. There is room
for only four sets of tables and chairs. Thus, only one class at a
time can be seated in the LMC. Fortunately, the class sizes are
limited by the charter to only 24 students. In rare instances,
students have been able to research at the tables and computers
while another class checks out books. When book fair is held,
there is simply no allowance for class visits, but students are still
able to check out books.
Another drawback to this LMC is that the Media Specialist is the
only one working in the LMC. There is no media clerk. If the
media specialist is delivering instruction or has to leave the LMC
to go to a classroom, no students can come in to check out or
return books. If the media specialist is absent, the LMC is closed
for the day.
12. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly… continued
Being small leads to the another big problem: there is very
little storage space in the LMC. There is one small room
at the back of the library with a small closet connected to
it. In this small room is a desk which holds the multimedia
workstation, 3-foot tall shelving that fits under a window, a
filing cabinet, a floor to ceiling storage cabinet and the
server/distribution system. There is also a small cart
holding various equipment that can be moved around as
needed.
The small closet area off the back was originally a restroom
for a kindergarten classroom. It measures approximately
39 inches across by 6 feet deep. There are floor-to-ceiling
shelves in the back of the closet which hold extra
electronic equipment when it is not checked out; bins for
extra mice, assorted cables, etc.; keyboards; and boxes of
seasonal decorations.
13. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly… continued
Another issue with size is that there is very little
wall space for posters in the LMC. However,
there is a huge bulletin board in the hall that is
used to display pictures of book covers (printed
from the web or cut from posters), the Coretta
S. King and Newbery award posters, and the
AR Wall of Fame Point Club members.
Another smaller bulletin board is in the hall
adjacent to the LMC entrance.
14. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly… continued
Probably the most disturbing drawback to the small size of this LMC
is that it is NOT disability-friendly. The clearance allowance
between tables, shelves and carts is not large enough to allow
wheelchair access. We did have one student last year that was
temporarily in a wheelchair and he was able to wheel to the
circulation desk and to a computer. He was not able to wheel
around the tables to the book shelves.
Additionally, a physically handicapped LMS would not be able to
work in this facility as the clearances behind the desks and work
areas are also not large enough for a wheelchair or walker.
15. WELCOME TO THE OCS LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
This is the door to the
LMC. The small poster
above the welcome
sign is an invitation to
the annual Savannah
Children‟s Book
Festival .
16. VIEW FROM THE DOOR TO THE LMC
This is the view as you walk in the door of the LMC. Visible are the four sets of
tables and six chairs each. The island of shelves in the center contain (from left
to right) the 970-999 of the nonfiction section and the Reference section with
encyclopedias on the closest end. The shelves on the wall (in front of the
window) contain the majority of the nonfiction books. A Dewey Decimal poster is
seen at the end of the nonfiction section.
17. CIRCULATION DESK
This is the Circulation
Desk where students
check books in and
out. Due to the
cramped space, a
copy machine has
been placed
immediately to the left
of the desk as well as
the Promethean Board
on a wheeled stand
and the AV cart which
holds a TV, DVD/VCR
and copier supplies.
Due to the lack of wall
placed on almost every available space throughout the LMC.
space, posters have
been
18. VIEW OF STUDENT COMPUTERS
FROM THE CIRCULATION DESK
This is the view of some
of the student computers
from the circulation desk.
To the left is a clock to
help students keep track
of time and also the
current Galileo password
is posted here for their
use at home. (It is blurred
out in the picture.) The
poster between the
windows contains the
login information for our
World Book Online
subscription.
19. STUDENT COMPUTER STATIONS
This is another view of
the 8 student computers
available to students for
research and printing on
the laser jet printer.
Located at the end of
these tables is the
Multimedia Cart that
holds the LCD projector,
DVD/VCR and high
fidelity speakers used in
conjunction with the
Promethean Board and
ActiveSlate. The door at
the end of the tables is
to the restroom/ storage room where recyclable ink cartridges are stored
until shipped by the LMS.
20. VIEW FROM THE CIRCULATION DESK
In these pictures, the entrance to the LMC is to the left, with tables around
and on either side of the island of shelves. On these shelves are the audio
books in the first two sections to the left and the Professional books and
audio in the right two sections. On top of the shelves are the dictionary,
stacks of books that were used for science fair research and books for
display. To the right are the Patrons‟ Catalog computer and a large-format
poster printer. Behind the door and along the far wall are some of the
fiction section (Historical to Young Adult) with Biographies in the last section
21. VIEW FROM THE CIRCULATION DESK
This view from the
circulation desks shows the
multimedia shelving which
contains the videos,
software, teaching kits, and
music recordings which are
located at the end of the
Media Specialist‟s desk on
the right. These shelves
are also very congested
with no room for
expansion. Only teachers
and parents may check out
these items.
22. VIEW FROM THE CIRCULATION DESK
To the left of the
Multimedia section is the
door to the distribution/
server room. Just inside
the door you can see the
black storage cabinet
that holds software, old
magazines, catalogs and
other miscellaneous
items. The two burgundy
carts in front of the
window are for returned
books.
23. DISTRIBUTION-SERVER ROOM
This is the view to the left just inside the
distribution-server room. On the desk is the
multimedia computer setup and the shelves hold
the boxes containing class sets of books. The cart
contains various books and magazines awaiting
or storage.
cataloging The door opening on the right edge of the picture leads to the storage
closet. The picture on the right is of the distribution system with a cart holding some
of the equipment that wouldn‟t fit in the rack. There is a filing cabinet in the
foreground. On the floor (sitting on a milk crate) is the Channel One distribution box
and a DVD/VCR. (Not a pretty sight!)
24. S
C
T
L
O
O
R
S
A
E
G
T
E
This storage closet off the server room was once a
bathroom, thus the tile on the wall and floor.
Another cart is here that holds the book binder on
the bottom with books awaiting discard pickup in
the box on top. The door leads to a math
classroom. On the right is a picture of the floor to
ceiling shelves in the rear of the closet. This is
where extra electronics, cords, cables, mice,
keyboards, etc. are stored. The wires/cables on
the left wall are part of the distribution wiring.
25. VIEW FROM THE CIRCULATION DESK
This is the view behind the circulation desk. The wall-cabinets contain
supply items such as blank CDs, ink cartridges, genre labels, bookmarks,
due date cards, tape, glue, etc. and the headphones for the computers.
The table holds the school laminator and the student Eco Club provides
the recycling bin underneath, as well as pickup
of recyclables. To the back-left,
is a sink next to the paper cutter
seen on the counter. The
cabinets here hold cleaning
supplies, bathroom supplies, etc.
Seen on the end of the
circulation desk is the ID
computer and printer. The
cabinets underneath hold ID
supplies, colored paper,
batteries, overhead bulbs, etc.
Here also is the book repair
station.
26. FICTION - GENRE
The entire Fiction Section in this LMC is shelved by Genre and then alphabetically by
the author within each section. Each section is clearly marked with a shelf sign and
the books have corresponding genre labels on their spine. Audio Books and New
Arrivals are also sorted by Genre.
The Genre categories are: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Historical,
Horror, Humor, Juvenile, Multicultural, Mystery, Romance, Science, Sports, Story
Collection, Westerns and Young Adult.
27. NEW ARRIVALS CART and PAPERBACK STAND
As new books arrive in
the LMC, they are
shelved on the cart
shown here in front of
the MS‟s desk. The
paperback stand in
the left of the
picture, helps students
find popular
paperbacks, as well
as helping to relieve
some of the
congested book
shelves.
28. THE LMC PROGRAM
The LMC Program at Oglethorpe includes a variety of offerings. The MS
collaborates, coordinates and co-teaches with as many of the teachers and staff as
possible. Sixth grade students come into the LMC for Orientation at the beginning of
each year. Classes are taught for all grade levels throughout the year on
research/library skills, plagiarism and computer skills as needed.
The MS is responsible for assisting with the broadcast of morning announcements each
day and for providing the daily Channel One broadcast. Because of the small size of
the LMC, the morning announcements are held down the hall from the LMC in a
conference room using portable broadcast equipment.
Accelerated Reader is used extensively by all teachers and students through the
Renaissance Place web-based AR Enterprise. Goals are set in the classrooms and
the MS facilitates testing and the choosing of appropriate books. STAR Reading is
administered through the LMC at the beginning, middle and end of the school year to
monitor reading progress. The MS is responsible for maintaining the AR
software, student incentives and rewards and for maintaining the AR Wall of Fame
displaying Point Club members.
A book fair is held in the media center once a year in December. Originally, there was an
additional book fair held in the spring, but because book fairs totally disrupt the LMC
daily activities, the spring book fair was discontinued.
The MS assists with the district Reading Quiz Bowl held each spring. The books are
chosen from the Georgia Book Award Nominees by MSs throughout the district.
Special activities are generally held for Teen Read Week in October and for National
Library Week in April.
Students also participate in the district Student Media Festival program coordinated by the
MS.
29. SURVEY DATA
A survey delivered through Survey Monkey was taken by five teachers
and five students revealing the data below:
100% of the teachers and students find the LMC to be a welcoming
and inviting place to visit
70% find the lighting to be adequate
60% find that there needs to be more seating in the MC
60% of the teachers said NO to a comfortable reading area while only
40% of the students said NO
80% said there are enough computers in the LMC
60% said there need to be a few more books; 30% said there needed
to be a lot more books; only 10% said there are plenty of books
60% said that students should be allowed to check out more than 2
books sometimes
90% said that they NEVER have trouble finding what they need
Only 10% said that eating and drinking SHOULD be allowed in the
LMC
30. SURVEY COMMENTS
Below are the teacher and student responses to the question:
“What is the one thing you would change about the OCS Media
Center?”
1. Ideally- make it bigger. However for the space that is available, it is sufficient.
2. The size of the Media center is very cramped ,so I think it should be a little bit
bigger.
3. the size
4. I think that it is to small.
5. More books!
6. We desperately need more room. We are in a very old building. With more room
we could also have more computers. Mrs. Lindblad has done a wonderful job
with the little space and limited resources that she has to work with.
7. The media center is a wonderful place that the children enjoy visiting. It would be
nice to have more room for more books and tables, but that is not possible in
our current location. Circulation appears to be good, and I am always seeing
students reading when they have a chance.
8. When we have our new building, we will have more space and some of these
issues will go away.
9. I wish the LMC was in a larger space!
31. LMC REVISIONS
The problems in the Existing Facilities Plan for the Oglethorpe LMC can not
be addressed within the present facility. The room is just too small to
expand the collection, add seating or even to rearrange the equipment
already there.
There has been serious discussion by the school board in the last few years
about building an entirely new school facility for Oglethorpe Charter
School. Thus, a new LMC Facilities Plan has been created. This new
facility would cover just over 3300 square feet and includes much-needed
features that could be utilized by the entire school community. The LMC
in the new facility would be centrally located so as to be accessible to all
grade levels while still having an outside exit.
One revision for this LMC program would be the addition of a part-time to full-
time media clerk. This would allow the LMS more time to collaborate with
teachers as well as deliver instruction throughout the school as needed.
Also, with the addition of space and books, a media clerk would add to
the smooth and timely administration of the LMC.
33. LMC REVISIONS
The aspect of the LMC being too small must be
addressed first and foremost. The new LMC will have at
least one wide open space for traffic flow and events,
such as annual book fairs, student performances, etc.
An area with round tables that will seat four students or
adults will allow for small group or large group meetings.
To ensure the proper allowance of clearance spaces for
wheelchair access, extra care was taken to allow 40-48 http://www.highsmith.com/Community-Lincoln-Round-
Table-and-Chair-Package-c_21709498/H27593/
inches between shelves and tables.
Sound issues will be addressed through acoustical
flooring and textured walls which will act as sound
buffers to reduce excess echo-noise. An integrated
sound system will help to eliminate hearing problems.
http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=n
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34. LMC REVISIONS
Also addressing space and sound
issues will be a sound-proof
presentation room equipped with a
Promethean Board and integrated
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sAi8BQ4g7tQ= sound system. An entire class of http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?sho
either students or faculty could w=nav.19656
hold a lesson or seminar without http://www.prometheanworld.com/serve
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disturbing other classes that may
be in the LMC. The tables in this
http://cableorganizer.com/wiremold/deQuorum room will also be equipped with
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network and electrical outlets for
laptops and other necessary
equipment.
A separate conference room would also provide a space for teachers to meet in
small groups or with parents. The table here would also include network and
electrical outlets.
NOTE: Wireless Internet access will also be provided throughout the LMC, but due to the
sometimes questionable reliability of wireless access, the network outlets are also being
provided.
35. LMC REVISIONS
The main entrance to the LMC will be
http://www.pilgrimbeaverton.com/school/images/computer%20room.jp
located in one corner, hopefully away g
from the noisiest part of the building, to
reduce sound distractions. The LMS‟s
office entrance will be to the left of the
entrance and a door to a 30-unit
computer lab to the right. This will
allow the LMS easy access to all
available facilities.
Additional entrance and exit doors would
be on the west for access to a courtyard
and on the south for easy access to the
outside for after-school events or
emergencies.
Each of the exits will be equipped with a
radio frequency Checkpoint®
Traditional Signature® Series Theft
http://www.demco.com/goto?BLK4494&TS1A17&si=52176204011621281
592 Detection System.
36. LMC REVISIONS
The circulation desk will be located near the
main entrance so that students entering from
the classrooms will have to pass by the desk
and the LMS office. This will be an important
aspect when the LMS in monitoring the LMC
alone. Additionally, the LMS will be able to see
each area of the LMC from the circulation desk.
http://www.highsmith.com/Infinity-Hanging-CPU-
Holder-c_21705570/
To facilitate check-out a SelfCheck System will
be integrated into the circulation desk. These
will work in coordination with the security theft
detection system located at the exits.
http://www.highsmith.com/3M-V-series-SelfCheck-
System-Model-V1-c_21709222/
37. LMC REVISIONS
A Media Production room will also be
located off of the LMC where the morning
announcements will be broadcast to the
school. A separate control room within the
Media Production room will house the
present sound and video controls. A
teleprompter will be purchased for use by
the student news anchors. The school‟s
existing Multimedia Computer Workstation
will also be located here for video and
media editing. http://www.prompterpeople.com/vlogger.php
A Storage Room will also be added to the LMC which will add direly
needed space for equipment storage as well as storage for old magazines,
seasonal decorations, posters, etc. Distribution controls would also be
located here.
38. LMC REVISIONS
http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/schools/foxboro/ Another room located off the LMC
will be a teacher workroom where
a copier, laminating
machine, book binder, Ellison
dies, and other various
equipment and tools will be
housed. Plenty of counter and
cabinet space will be provided
storage. The Professional print
materials may be located here.
The entrance to a staff restroom
will also be here.
In addition to the teacher workroom will also be a library workroom
for book repair and processing. General LMC supplies will also be
housed here, such as printer cartridges, labels, copy-paper, Mylar
book covers, etc.
39. LMC REVISIONS
The new LMC will contain the district recommended 15
student computers for a middle school LMC. These will
be located along the east wall with limited distraction and
easy access to other research materials. The LMS will
have a computer station in her office with OnSight
monitoring software installed for surveillance of these 15
computers, as well as the 30 located in the computer lab.
This will help ensure that students are on task and http://www.codework.com/onsight/
following school computer protocol. index.php
A new library management system is also needed
for the LMC. Presently, Winnebago-Spectrum is
used but is very outdated and not user-friendly nor
web-accessible. Follett‟s OPAC system, Destiny will
become the new library management system. There
will also be one dedicated OPAC station for student
http://www.follettsoftware.com/page/librar use, but student‟s will be able to access t he OPAC
y_manager/
from any computer in the LMC.
40. LMC REVISIONS
Additional technology that will
be utilized in the new LMC will
be a Promethean Board on the
wall outside of the Presentation
Room (in addition to the one
located inside the Presentation
Room). Ideally, two
presentations could be
conducted at the same time
with two separate classes
within the LMC.
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41. LMC REVISIONS
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hp?r=school_library
The lighting in the LMC will also
be a serious consideration.
Fixtures will be chosen that
create uniform lighting
throughout the LMC and will
contain both direct and indirect
lighting. A combination of
daylighting (controlled skylights
and windows) and lighting
controls or photosensors will
also be installed to facilitate
flexibility and visibility.
http://www.mechoshade.com/
http://www.wbdg.org/resources
/electriclighting.php
42. LMC REVISIONS
The addition of more shelving will allow for new materials to be
purchased. Each section of the library collection will be expanded
and enhanced with up-to-date books, audio books, videos and
software. 48-inch mobile shelving in the main floor of the LMC will
add flexibility to the floor plan while fixed shelving will go along the
walls.
http://titlewave.com
http://titlewave.com
http://www.highsmith.com/Highsmith174-K-12-Linetrade-Double-Faced-
Mobile-Shelving-48quotH-x-108quotW-x-24quotD-c_21707555/H80010/
43. LMC REVISIONS
An area for casual seating for students to enjoy pleasure-
reading will be created in the new LMC. Students will have
access to magazines and light reading materials here or they
may bring a library book into the area to read. Seating furniture
will be comfortable and in fun colors.
http://www.highsmith.com/Bretford174-
Evans-Lounge-Chair-c_21707797/
http://www.demco.com/goto?BLK10924&LPCL85&si=44182610591608379622
44. DISTRICT MEDIA FACILITIES POLICIES
The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System utilizes the following
Facilities Policies for LMCs:
I. School Media Center Program
A. The Superintendent will appoint a system-level media contact person to serve as liaison
for the District.
B. School library media center programs will operate under the established
national, regional, state, and local standards.
C. Each school will have a media center staffed by media personnel in accordance with
State Rule 160-5-1-.22 and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council
on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
D. Media committees will be established and utilized at the system level and at each
school.
E. The media center program promotes intellectual freedom within the school community
by providing access to a variety of information, ideas, and resources.
F. Media centers will operate according to flexible schedules in accordance with State
Rule 160-4-4-.01, and classes will not be assigned to media specialists or media
centers in order to provide planning/free periods for teachers or for the purpose of
regular class instruction.
45. DISTRICT MEDIA FACILITIES POLICIES continued
G. Media specialists and teachers will plan collaboratively to ensure the use of media
center resources and services that support the curriculum.
H. Materials and equipment for the media center will be selected by the media
specialist with input from the media committee in accordance with the selection
criteria set forth in Policy IF.
I. The media specialist will conduct a formal media center inventory annually.
J. The media specialist will implement a weeding program to examine and evaluate
the media center collection.
K. The entire school community will be accountable for the use of library media
materials and equipment.
L. All gifts to the media center must meet the criteria stated in Policy KH – Public Gifts.
M. Non-school owned materials utilized in the instructional program by
teachers, students, and guest presenters shall be supportive of the adopted
curriculum for the course being taught and appropriate for the targeted audience.
A more detailed version of these policies are available here: http://bit.ly/4zeNfg or here:
https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/Policy.aspx?Sch=4140&S=4140&PC=IFBD-R&revNo=2.37&srch=ifbd&ktype=
46. DISTRICT MEDIA FACILITIES POLICIES
PROPOSED CHANGES
Although the district media policies do not cover every aspect of a LMS‟s duties,
they essentially address the main aspects of implementing state rules and
standards in a local LMC.
The only change in the district policy that I would recommend is changing the
words “media center” to “library media center” to more accurately reflect the
program.
The only „problem‟ I see with the district policies is that they are not enforced,
much the same as with the state policies. Too many LMSs are forced into a rigid
or fixed schedule that forces the LMS to monitor students while teachers have
their planning periods, blatantly prohibited in State Rule 160-4-4-.01. This costs
the school in valuable time that the LMS could, and should, be collaborating,
cooperating and co-teaching with teachers and offering quality instructional time
to students.
47. OGLETHORPE FACILITIES POLICIES
Proposed changes are in parentheses and in red.
INDIVIDUAL STUDENT VISITS:
Students may visit the library media center from 7:50 (7:15) am to 3:15 pm daily.
Students MUST HAVE an ID and a PASS from their teacher in order to use the library
media center during class or lunch. The pass must state if the student is to use a
computer, otherwise, he/she will only be allowed to use or check-in/out books.
Students who come to the library media center to obtain a new ID must have a pass and
money to purchase an ID.
Each teacher may send up to five (5) students for 10 to 15 minutes periods to the library
media center during a class block without prior arrangements. If the library media
center is full, student(s) will be returned to class with instructions on when to return.
Students misbehaving in the library media center will be returned to class with a note or e-
mail to the teacher stating the reason.
SMALL GROUPS:
If teachers wish to send more than 4-5 students for class assignments, please confer with
the library media center staff in advance.
48. OGLETHORPE FACILITIES POLICIES continued
CLASS VISITS:
The library media center will be available for class visits by reservation only. There is a
reservation calendar at the circulation desk. Reservations should be made at least 24
hours in advance if possible.
Teachers are responsible for maintaining discipline and assisting their class while in the
library media center.
If special materials or assistance will be needed, please notify the library media center staff
so that materials can be collected in advance. Teachers are encouraged to provide the
library media center staff with a copy of the class assignment.
CIRCULATION:
Students may check out two (2) books for a period of two (2) weeks and renew them as
needed.
Students will not be allowed to check out books more than once a day without written
permission from a teacher.
Students are not be allowed to check out videos or equipment. Students are allowed to
check out audio books.
Students will be charged a fine of $.05 per school day per title with a maximum fine of
$3.00. Students will not be allowed to check out books if they have an overdue book or
if they owe a fine.
49. OGLETHORPE FACILITIES POLICIES continued
OVERDUE NOTICES:
Notices of overdue materials will be sent to homeroom teachers for distribution once every
two (2) weeks, more frequently as needed.
Homeroom (All) teachers should encourage the prompt return of all library media center
materials.
USE AND LOST BOOK POLICY
The entire school community will be accountable for the use of library media materials and
equipment.
Each patron will use necessary care to avoid loss or damage to all forms of media.
If damage or loss of materials occurs, all patrons (faculty, staff, students, and community)
will be required to pay replacement or repair costs. The site administrator and/or the
library media specialist retains the authority to waive payment under conditions deemed
necessary.
All textbooks, library books, and library media materials shall remain the property of the
school.
The school reserves the right to implement measures for the recovery or replacement cost
of library media center materials per O.C.G.A. 20-2-1013, which include:
a. Refusal to issue any additional textbooks, library books, or media materials until
restitution is made; or
b. Withholding of all report cards, diplomas, or certificates of progress until restitution is
made.
50. OGLETHORPE FACILITIES POLICIES
PROPOSED CHANGES
The following are changes that I would like to see in the preceding Oglethorpe Facilities
Policies. The proposals will be discussed at the next Media Committee meeting to be
held later this month.
Presently, school hours are from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. I would like to see the opening
time for the media center move to 7:15 am to accommodate students needing to
purchase IDs, return/checkout books or print assignments before the start of the
instructional day. In a new facility, these times will be more feasible with the morning
announcements being broadcast from the LMC and the addition of a media clerk.
The other change is a minor change in wording to reflect that “All” teachers, not just
“Homeroom” teachers should encourage the prompt return of library materials.
Additionally, I would like to change the wording “Media Center” to “Library Media
Center” when possible. I believe this more accurately reflects the facility‟s use.
NOTE: The Use and Lost Book Policy was formally changed last year to reflect the
wording in the district policy.
