Memo To: Joyce Bass From: Jada Braun Date: March 13, 2012 Re: Library Media Program

Self-Evaluation I just wanted to take a moment to update you on a recent self-evaluation done by Emily Brown and myself in the Burnett Elementary School media center. Using the Georgia DOE 2011 Library Media Program Self-Evaluation Rubric, we assessed our current media center on the listed target indicators and categories. The levels of proficiency are basic, proficient, and exemplary. I have used the results from the rubric and I have created an action plan for the areas that we identified as being basic. I have also chosen one category that was rated as proficient and created an action plan to move our level of proficiency to exemplary. Below you will see my plan to improve our current media center. Areas Identified as Basic Category 1-Student Achievement: o Collaborative planning includes Library Media Specialists and teachers to ensure use of library media center resources that support on-going classroom instruction and implementation of state curriculum and the Georgia Performance Standards- The School Library Media Specialist (SLMS) will encourage collaborative planning among teachers, and will provide resources that will assist in the planning of teaching units. The SLMS will encourage teachers to use resources on the GeorgiaStandards.org website. The SLMS will regularly email resources that support classroom instruction. o Professional library media staff are engaged in active teaching role(s)The media center should be a resource to teachers to extend classroom instruction. The SLMS will periodically send emails reminding teachers of her role as a teacher, and her interest in collaboratively planning and teaching students. The SLMS will be aware of curriculum units being taught, and can offer assistance and ideas to classroom teachers through collaboration.

o Student achievement is routinely assessed- The SLMS will work with teachers to develop different ways to assess student achievement, especially assessment of information literacy skills. The teacher will not be the only one responsible to assessing student achievement, but instead collaboration will be used to find effective ways to monitor student achievement. Category 2- Staffing: o If base size or larger: A school system shall employ a full-time Library Media Specialist for each base size school or larger- The SLMS or additional support personnel should always be available throughout the instructional day to assist teachers and students. There are many times throughout the day where the SLMS is pulled to do lunchroom duty or to perform another duty that is in no way related to the media center. The duties that a SLMS are not required to perform should be limited, so that information needs are met for students and staff members. Category 3- Facilities, Access, and Resources: o One of the national educational technology goals states: Effective and engaging software and on-line resources will be an integral part of every schools curriculum. The GALILEO on-line service provides Georgia students and teachers access to exceptional on-line resources at no cost to the local school district. Searches performed on GALILEO databases will exceed one million annually and the number of full-content items viewed will exceed one million annually- Students and staff should have an annual lesson on how to use GALILEO. The SLMS could invite students and teachers to discover the many uses of GALILEO as well as learn about different search techniques. By providing students and staff with opportunities to interact with GALILEO, they will be more comfortable using the resource in their curriculum. Also, professional development opportunities for the SLMS could be a consideration. The SLMS could redeliver professional development during staff meetings. Category 4- Administrative Support: o Administrative staff supports at both the school and district level is essential for the development of a strong library media program- The SLMS needs to collaborate with administration to find strategies that allow administrators to play an active role in the media center. Administration can encourage staff to use the resources available in the

media center to extend learning. Also, regular visits by administration in the media center would be beneficial. Having periodic story time led by an administrator would show students and teachers the importance of the library media program. Area Identified as Proficient: o Information Literacy Standards are integrated into content instruction. AASL Standards are integrated into the content instruction- The SLMS will provide materials and guidance to staff members on the use of information literacy standards in the schools curriculum. The SLMS will collaborate with teachers to create lessons that implement the standards. The SLMS will regularly email teachers examples of lessons that incorporate the use of critical thinking skills and independent inquiry. The media center will be an environment that fosters inquiry based learning and best research practices.

With your support and guidance I would like to begin implementing the above plan as soon as possible. If you have any questions or suggestions concerning the Media Center please contact me.