Observations and Interviews

conducted by

Christine Caruso

School Library Media Program Comparison

College Gardens Elementary Media CenterRockville, MD

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

College Gardens Overview

“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

Collaboration, Cooperation & Coordination

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

“Most teachers are not open to full collaboration with me. However, I do support the curriculum by pulling materials for classes and creating libguide webpages 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)

Collaboration at OLGCS?

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.

Beltsville OverviewStudent 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

“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

Coordination…

Budget amounts CollaborationScheduling (fixed vs. flexible)Staffing allocationsSize of media centerCollection Materials

What are the main differences in these media programs?

Reasons for the differences:Private vs. public

schoolsMontgomery vs. Prince

George’s CountySchedules set by SLMS

or by administrationStaffing set by county or

by school administrationBudget set by county

which influences collection development, technology etc

Planning time & rapport with staff varies, which affects collaboration

An Effective School Library Media Specialist (AASL,

2009): Collaborates & shares knowledge

with staff

Has a well developed instructional program aligned with the common core

and 21st century standards

Teaches students how to locate, select and evaluate materials

An Effective School Library Media Specialist (AASL,

2009):

Is a School Leader and an Advocate of their program

Maintains a well developed collection of print, non-print and online materials

Continues Professional Development as a lifelong learner

Finally, My Ideal Library…

Has a full-time assistant supporting the SLMSAllows for flexible scheduling for instruction, collaboration & assessmentContains a well developed collection with a variety of equipmentA reasonable budget to meet the needs of my students and staff

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/

References