Table of Contents1
Philosophy and Plans
Mission Statements ………………………………………………………………… 2
Vision and Philosophy Statements ……… .………………………… .. 3
Goals and Objectives ……………………………………………………… .. 4
Budget ……………………………………………………………………………… .... 5
Operational Procedures
Hours of Operation ………… ..…………………………………………………… . 6
Scheduling Policy ………………… ..…………………………………………… . 7
Circulation Policy …………………………… .……………………………… .. 7
Rules ……………………… .……………………………………………………… .. 7
Collection Development
Selection Policy ………………………………………………………………… . 8
Reconsideration Policy and Procedures …………………………… 10
Weeding Policy and Procedures ……………………………… ...……… . 11
Gifts Policy …………………………… ..………………………………………… . 13
Collection Analysis …………………………………………………………… .. 13
Technology
Procedures for Online Usage by Students ……………………………… 15
Using Email and Internet Wisely ………………………………………… 16
Facilities
Map …………………………………………………………… ..………………… . 18
Appendices
Appendix A: Library Bill of Rights …………………………… .……… 19
Appendix B: Library Orientation ………… ..…………… ...…………… .. 20
Appendix C: Book Processing Formats …………… .…… ..……… 21
Appendix D: LMS Description ...... 22
Appendix E: Library Services ...... 23
Appendix F: AASL Standards ...... 25
1 Resources: The Rankin County School District Student Handbook, Mississippi Library Media Program
Guidelines, Rankin County School District Library Media Program Guidelines
Mission Statements
Department of Education Mission Statement
The mission of the Mississippi school library media centers is to assist in providing a
quality education for every child and to encourage lifelong literacy and learning through reading. Library media centers provide an environment in which students and staff learn to access, evaluate and apply information using a variety of print and electronic formats. The library media center supports the school’s curriculum and assists members of the learning community in becoming effective users of information.
School Mission Statement
The mission of Richland High School is to provide every student with quality educational opportunities and harmonious social interactions that will enable each to become an independent and self-sufficient adult who will contribute responsibly in a global society.
Library Mission Statement
The mission of the RCSD Library Media Program is to empower, inspire, and support
learners in the art of inquiry and discovery, as they become critical thinkers, skillful
researchers, and responsible, ethical users, producers, and managers of ideas and
information. The program must provide an environment that promotes student success in today’s knowledge and technology-driven society; fosters independent, enthusiastic and lifelong learners and readers; and promotes cohesiveness with the district’s curriculum goals, objectives, and values.
Personal Mission Statement
A librarian’s first job is to be a teacher and then a librarian. To promote this idea, my main responsibility is to teach students and faculty the skills to analyze access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information in a variety of forms and media. This education is done through three different avenues: (1) collection development, (2) teacher/librarian collaboration, and (3) student instruction. I must use my knowledge to design and implement instructional programs that meet varied user needs. In addition, I will interact with faculty in promoting effective use of library resources in relation to classroom activities. I will also encourage personal interaction between the library staff and students to humanize their library contacts, open paths of communication for their growth in using libraries, and increase their respect for libraries.
Vision Statement
Program Vision Statement
Our vision for the Media Centers of the Rankin County School District is for the media center to be the hub of the quintessential learning experience. This includes a comfortable, inviting environment complete with the latest technology available for information retrieval. Print materials would meet or exceed minimum certification standards. Personnel/staffing would also meet or exceed minimum certification standards. Various models of flexible scheduling of classes will be incorporated to insure that teachers have adequate planning time without relying on schedule library time in elementary school settings.
Statement of Philosophy
Program Philosophy Statement
The Richland High School Library Media program aspires to help each student excel and achieve maximum potential by providing a 21st Century learning environment, fostering a love of reading, and promoting digital citizenship. This objective reflects the school and district goals of increasing student achievement. By embedding 21st Century skills (SAMR) into curricular instruction across disciplines, the media program adds a dimension of rigor to the RHS curriculum and encourages students to become better learners. Through collaborative lesson planning, media specialist embeds higher order thinking tasks into project-based learning problems. By making the process more rigorous, learning improves, and so does student achievement. The library program endeavors to foster a love of reading. Library Media Specialist help students make social connections through reading,
broadening their knowledge base and interests, and expanding reading for information opportunities. Library Media Specialist partner with teachers, students, and administrators to disseminate the library curriculum, and empower students in becoming lifelong learners, responsible citizens, and industrious problem solvers. The media center serves as a hub for curricular and co-curricular activity with the educational community. Due to the flexible schedule and the cross-disciplinary
reach, library media specialist is able to help teachers with instructional modification for students with diverse learning styles.
Long-term Goals and Objectives
1. Increase the collaborative effort between the library media center and faculty/staff.
2. Continue to purchase current standards-based materials for Professional Collection.
3. Incorporate and introduce e-books to students and faculty.
4. Provide a student-centered environment that accommodates large and small groups of students.
Short-term Goals and Objectives
1. To maintain a collection of books, materials, and electronic materials in a variety of formats to meet the informational and recreational needs of our faculty and students.
2. To keep our faculty and students aware of new and updated technology by providing professional opportunities and collaborating with teachers in classrooms.
3. Constantly update and weed print collections:
a. Update Nonfiction Collection 800’s
b. Update Nonfiction Collection 900’s
c. Update Nonfiction Collection 700’s
c. Update Biographies
d. Update Reference Collection
e. Weed 700’s
f. Weed 400’s
g. Weed Reference
h. Weed any “too old book”
i. Weed Fiction
4. Purchase books in which we see a need in our student population:
a. Increase Bilingual book collection
b. Increase eBook usage
5. Solicit teacher/student input for LMC purchases.
6. Maintain an environment that is safe and inviting for faculty and students.
7. Promote and advertise new material to faculty and students.
8. Weed/dispose of outdated technology.
9. Promote the new Destiny 14.
10. Increase the number of books per student.
Budget
Overview: With almost 900 students enrolled in grades 7-12,
RHS is working towards being one of the top schools in the third largest school district in the state. The RHS Library Media Center is establishing itself as the educational and intellectual hub for faculty members and students as well as the Richland community at large. The library media center houses a collection of more than 8,000 books and printed reference resources as well as offers access to various online databases such as the MAGNOLIA database and Worldbook Online. The library media center is currently working on enlarging the print and ebook collection.
Monetary Breakdown: Each library media center in the Rankin County School District is given a set amount per student; therefore, the Richland High School Middle/ High School Library Media Center is given around $14,000 per year. Since RHS is a Title School, the administration can allocate money for the library in the form of technology. Lastly, the Rankin County School District’s Instructional Director may earmark additional funds for the RHS library media center depending on need for the coming year. All purchases are reported to the RHS Bookkeeper and the RCSD Financial Manager.
Budget Breakdown Per Category
Category Name / Category No. / Per StudentBooks and Periodicals / 652 / $5.50
Repairs / 430 / $4
Supplies / 610 / $3.50
Equipment / 731 / $2
Category Name Category No. Per Student
Books
Yearly Expenses: The Rankin County School District pays for the library media center’s subscriptions to Learn 360, Destiny Cataloging System, and additional electronic databases. {These amounts are subject to change on a yearly basis depending on need and finances.}
Key Expenses: (1) Money is spent every year on toner and paper for library and academic purposes. Justification: This will continue the mission of providing students and teachers with the best resources to help promote academic excellence. (2) The RHS Library Media Center will ask for additional funds from the RCSD every year to help rebuild the aged collection. This extra funding will purchase reference and nonfiction for everyday student usage and resources to enhance specific academic assignments (i.e. Capstone Project and Digital Literacy). (3) Various supplies and other equipment are purchased throughout the year. Justification: Every year, the Richland High School Library Media Center will conduct a supply inventory to see what library supplies are needed for the following which can include paperback book covers, book repair supplies, and mylar.
FiveYear Collection Development Plan
2012 – 2013: Complete Fiction Series as well as update the overall age of the Fiction
Collection {Keeping up with the current trends in Juvenile and Young Adult Fiction is costly and funds will continue to be spent on this section; therefore, the section will continue to be weeded to make room for new fiction books.}
2013 – 2014: Career Oriented
Resources/ 000399
Nonfiction/ Reference Sections
2014 2015:
Nonfiction Sections
2015 – 2016: Biographies/Nonfiction Sections/Teacher Resources
2016 – 2017: Teacher Resources/ Reference/ Nonfiction Sections
Additional funds will be used to “rebuild” each section during this five year
Collection development. Starting the following year (2017-2018), the book budget will be spent to purchase teacher requested materials to enhance specific academic assignments and increase overall test scores.
Operational Procedures
Hours of Operation
The Richland High School Library Media Center is opened everyday from 7:15 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Students will be able to use the Library Media Center in the morning and during break. However, with permission from teachers, students can also use the Library Media Center during class. Seniors and athletes, who are dismissed after 4th block, are allowed to use the Library Media Center during 4th block if they bring a note from the office. The library is available to students, teachers, and
the Richland community.
ORGANIZATONAL MEETINGS: The Library Media Center may be
used for club meetings before or after school. It is the responsibility of the organization’s president or secretary to sign up for the appropriate date on the calendar inside the library. Any nonstudent groups will need to contact the Library Media Specialist to use the library after hours.
Scheduling Policy for Classes
The Richland High School Library Media Center allows teachers to schedule a class to use the Library Media Center and/or the Computer Lab during that particular block. This policy allows for flexible scheduling for both teachers and students to get the most out of their time in the Library Media Center. Teachers can either contact the Library Media Specialist either through email or in person. Only one class can be scheduled to use the Library Media Center at a time. Teachers can also schedule students to use the Computer Lab; however, the same rules apply regarding how many classes and preparing students prior to entering the lab. There are particular days throughout the school year in which the Library Media Center is closed due to state testing as well as district wide Library Media Specialist meetings. These
dates have been placed on the schedule prior to the start of the new school year so not to cause scheduling conflicts with classes..
Technology Cart for Seniors
Seniors are able to come to the library to check out a computer for a class or for the day.
Circulation Policy
Students are allowed to check out up to 2 books at any time. However, for term papers the students may check out as many books as needed on their topic. Patrons can check out resources for up to two weeks and then they can be renewed for another two weeks. When multiple classes are using books as part of a research project, these particular books will be put on reserve and students will
not be allowed to check them out. Both faculty and students may make request for
particular titles and the Library Media Specialist will consider the requested titles, which are age and curriculum appropriate.
FACULTY POLICY: Faculty may check out books from the Professional Collection, which is located by the teacher resource closet. This collection covers most curricular areas. Topics include education theory, classroom management,
lesson plans, quizzes, etc. Teachers may check out books and print reference materials for only a nine week period at a time with one renewal allowed. Invoices will be issued to faculty for lost books.
FINE POLICY: Students must pay for books that are lost before scheduling classes for the following year or to graduate. Replacement costs are anywhere from $10.00 to $25.00, reference books may start at $150.00. Paperbacks range from $7 to $10 per book. Money will be repaid if a book or print resource is found.
Rules
Appropriate behavior and respect for all library patrons, staff, and faculty is expected from students while using the library. Below are three simple rules that students must follow while in the library; however, other rules can be found throughout the Richland High School Library Media Center’s Policies and Procedure Manual.
1) Food and drinks are not allowed in the library. 2) If furniture, books, and other
resources are used during visit, students are required to return it to the proper location. However, if materials are used and returned damaged, then the patron will be required to replace said material. 3) Students will be charged full price if the book is lost or returned beyond repair.
Sign In Procedure
Students will present appropriate library/ hall pass from teacher when entering the
Library. Richland High School Library Media Specialist will not write late passes to class; therefore, it is the students’ responsibility to manage their time while in the library.
Collection Development Policy
Selection Policy
It is the policy of the Rankin County School District Instructional Department to provide a broad range of educational materials to enrich and support the curriculum and to meet the needs of the individual students and teachers. The professional staff should provide students with a wide range of materials of diverse appeal. Materials should be available in a variety of formats and represent varying levels of difficulty and varying points of view. In selecting materials, principles outweigh personal opinion. Materials are considered for their quality and appropriateness.