Athens City Middle School Media Center

Designing and Planning of Services

I. MEDIA CENTER MANAGEMENT
A. Input from LMS/LIS and professional staff is used to determine
student needs and to provide resources, which relate to curriculum
demands and instructional goals and objectives.
Each year, members of the faculty provide a want or needs list,
including bound materials, DVDs, and/or periodicals that would better
their classroom curriculum. For example, a science teacher may
request that the media center order a collection of videos on
biospheres. The library budget allots money for faculty needs or helps
find available funds from the administration or vocational budget.
B. The LMS/LIS initiates communication and follow-up activities to
determine effectiveness of selected resources.
The use of selected materials determines the effectiveness of chosen
resources. Open communication between the media specialist and
faculty is in place. Also, the library's online card catalog system
(OPAC) tracks usage for all materials the library offers. Monthly
circulation reports are printed which tracks all materials checked-out
and checked-in and/or used in-house.
C. Written procedures have been established to prioritize needs.
Written procedures are in place to prioritize needs. Each year the
media center concentrates on two areas of need. These are
determined by usage, copyright date, condition, and relevance.
Faculty needs are high on the priority list also. Each department
utilizes the media center; therefore, collaboration between faculty and
the media specialist are consistent.
D. The LMS/LIS has established written procedures and has obtained
needed materials, resources, and equipment, all of which have been
labeled and are in order for easy access.
All materials are labeled, have a checkout procedure, and are available
to both students and faculty.
E. Written procedures have been established to deal with challenged
materials.

Challenged materials are handled during the selection process. Before

any material is purchased, the media specialist researches the
critiques of that material, reads multiple reviews by reliable sources
about the material, and examines the materials for awards and honors.
After careful selection, if a material were challenged, the media
specialist and one person from the administration would meet with the
parent, guardian, or student to determine whether the material was
offensive due to racial, ethical, or moral reasons. Documentation would
be provided to the challenger, which reflects why the material was
chosen to be a part of the collection of the ACMS Media Center. The
administration would then make a decision on whether to keep or
discard the material.
F. Circulation procedures have been established to maximize use of
library resources and communicated to all patrons.
As a freshman, each student is instructed on library circulation policies.
These policies are posted throughout the media center and are posted
on the school's website.
G. Materials and resources are current and up to date and reflect the
needs of the stakeholders.
Students needing to complete a project, read for enjoyment, or
studying for a subject will find that the media center offers current
information throughout its resources. Over twelve periodicals are
available to students, which arrive on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Students who have needs that these materials do not address are
guided to appropriate websites that would be the most beneficial to
their tasks. Books are ordered each year based on the library's
priorities, reader's interest, and teacher's request.
H. There are protocols for maintenance of equipment or resources
repair.
Bound materials are examined during the spring while inventory is
taking place. Books are mended with appropriate tools or replaced,
DVDs are cleaned or replaced, magazine covers are replaced,
audio/visual materials are cleaned and maintenance, if possible.
II. MEDIA CENTER RESOURCES
A. Resources are appropriately integrated with instruction and
management procedures.

The library is organized by the Dewey Decimal System. There is also a

Reference Center. The Reference Center is a valuable tool to any
faculty member who wants their students to complete a research
project, whether a research paper, power point presentation, and/or
classroom project. The Fiction Section of the library is utilized mostly
by English teachers who assign their classes a novel in which to read
and reflect upon, whether orally or written and students reading for
leisure.
B. Written plans, policies, and procedures are available for library staff.
A calendar is kept available, which shows when a faculty member,
guest speaker, or the administration reserves the library. The library's
policies and procedures are posted on the school's website, are placed
in the vestibule near the sign-in/sign-out sheet, and are distributed to
each faculty member.
C. Materials and media are equitable and accessible to all users.
Each user of the TPJHS library is instructed on his/her access to
materials and the circulation policy. The media center has a variety of
resources that are equally usable to all patrons.
D. Facilities are arranged to accommodate different types of activities,
and student movement is meaningful.
The media center has a computers, both an independent and group
study areas, periodical area, atlas area, non-fiction area, reference
area, classroom area, and checkout area. The space is very open and
students can move with ease from place to place.
E. LMS/LIS and user activities allow for maximum use of learning time.
Learning time in the media center begins at the start of class, and all
materials are to be returned to their proper areas within the final three
minutes of class. Both the librarian and classroom teacher instruct
students to use their time wisely, check for understanding, and
continue to keep students on task.
F. Community resources are used appropriately.
Community resources include the public library, outside stakeholders,
area speakers, and area organizations. The public librarian and the
TPJHS librarian speak frequently about materials that our patrons are
utilizing or requesting. Area resources also include the National Forest

Service, Tennessee Wildlife Agency, local businesses, and local

churches.
G. A variety of promotional activities are continually incorporated in
the library program.
Promotional activities are held throughout the year. First, fifth grade
orientation to the media center discusses all of the many wonderful
elements of the media center. Students' interests are discussed,
including both input from readers and non-readers. Throughout the
year the media center also displays a specific theme that is reflected
atop the reference section. For example, there may be a two-week
period that is "Horror Time," and materials that reflect that theme are
placed in full view for patrons to peruse and checkout. Finally, the
librarian is continually questioning students on their likes/dislikes of
reading choices.
III. MEDIA CENTER COLLABORATION
A. The LMS/LIS continuously provides cursory and in-depth assistance
to teachers, as needed.
The faculty at TPJHS finds that the library's resources are endless.
Being fluent with the collection and with Internet resources allows not
only teachers to feel free to ask for assistance with ideas for their
curriculum but also allows me to suggest ideas for particular lessons.
Finally, I have taken part in preparing seventh and eighth graders for
the TN Writing Assessment.
B. The LMS/LIS collaborates with teachers in planning units of
instruction.
Each year, various teachers plan a research paper with their students.
These teachers and I pace the research to best meet the needs of
students, team teach throughout the course of a daily lesson, and
monitor student understanding at each step of the research process.
C. The LMS/LIS assists with equipment operation, materials
production, and instruction, as needed.
Teachers at TPJHS feel very comfortable calling on me to come into the
classroom and assist with printers, computers, overhead projectors,
televisions, and DVD players. While team-teaching with each other,
both the teacher and I have particular handouts or assignments
throughout the unit.

D. The LMS/LIS seamlessly correlates the library program with that of

the school's curriculum.
The TPJHS library offers materials that can greatly help student
achievement inside and outside the classroom. Resources can be
found in all subject areas, including math, English, science, social
studies, the arts, and vocational concentrations. Finally, reference and
other non-fictional materials are ordered each year to continually
support the curriculum. For example, if a science teacher needs more
research materials to cover biomes of the earth, these materials are
researched and chosen with the best

Athens City Middle School Library

Policies and Procedures
Mrs. Sunday Burger, Librarian
LIBRARY HOURS: School Days 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
LIBRARY PHONE: 423-745LIBRARY COLLECTION:
The Athens City Middle School Media Center holds approximately
8,500 titles. These books can be found in the fiction, non-fiction,
paperback collection, reference center, biographies, series collections
& graphic novels. The audio/visual room has films and/or movies. The
library subscribes to four magazines. Magazines are kept on file for
five years.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT:
Each year the media center develops a budget with the BEP
funds that are given. Curriculum needs and educational significance
are at the top of the priority list. Books, magazines, DVDs are
purchased on their contribution to the subject matter within the
curriculum and to the interest of the students. Next, the library
concentrates on two areas within the media center in which to update.
These two areas are determined by average copyright date, wear of
materials, and relevance of missing Dewey Decimal System numbers.
Fiction books are ordered based on award-winners, reviews, and
student/faculty wish lists. Magazines subscriptions are consistent from
year to year. Finally, the media center will prioritize office and/or
library materials based on needs.
REVIEW SOURCES:
The following is a list of library review sources that are consulted
before purchasing materials:
American Library Association Online
Booklist
Horn Book Guide Online
Publisher's Weekly
School Library Journal
Bibliographies, professional journals, award lists, student and teacher
recommendations
LIBRARY BEHAVIOR:
School rules will be followed in the media center. No food,
drinks, gum, or cell phone is allowed in the library. At the end of each

class, students are expected to pick up all trash, gathering all of their
belongings, and push in their chairs.
CHALLENGED MATERIAL:
If a student, parent, or guardian challenges a material, the
material will be pulled from the shelf until a meeting is scheduled with
the challenger, the librarian, and a member of the administration.
After complaints are heard, the administration will rule if the material
should be banned from the media center or remain on the shelf.
LIRBARY BARCODES:
Each book is assigned a barcode, which is placed on the
back lower right cover and covered with a barcode protection strip. If a
student damages this barcode, the student will relinquish their library
privileges for two weeks.
LIBRARY LOANS:
All materials taken from the media center must be properly
checked out. Students may check out two books at one time. Students
can only check out books for themselves. The following policies
regarding loans will be enforced:
(1) Fiction, basic non-fiction, story collection, and biographies can
be checked out for two weeks with one renew.
(2) Reference books, encyclopedias, atlases, newspapers, and
unabridged dictionaries cannot be checked out.
(3) Magazines can be checked out throughout the day; however,
all magazines are due back before the end of the day.
OVERDUE MATERIALS:
Overdue books are to be returned in the "Book Return" of the
circulation desk like any other book. There are no late fees. Students
with overdue books are blocked from checking out more materials until
their record is cleared.
OVERDUE NOTICES:
Overdue notices are given to the individual with the overdue
book. No charges will accumulate for overdue materials; however,
those patrons who are chronically abusive to this policy will lose library
privileges for two weeks. Students who have materials overdue are
asked to return these materials on several occasions before privileges
are taken away.
LOST/DAMAGED BOOKS:

Patrons will be charged the current replacement cost of a lost or

damaged book. Borrowers should not lend books to others, as they will
be responsible for payment if the book is lost or damaged.
COMPUTER USAGE:
Computers are for school related use only. All students are
expected to follow the "Computer Use Policy" established by the school
board. In general, the use of email, social sites, chat rooms, games,
game related sites, and/or purchasing sites are prohibited.
Printing/copying from the printer is free. All printing should be
school related. Read before you print. Remember cutting and pasting
can save paper and toner.
CLASS VISITS:
Teachers may schedule library time by phone, email or in person.
Faculty members may schedule as little or as far in advance as is
convenient for them.
STUDENT VISITS:
Every student that visits the library during a class, study hall, or
lunch must sign in when entering. Students who choose to come to
the library must have a particular task to complete, such as reading,
researching, studying, typing, checking out materials, etc. No student
will be allowed to remain in the media center without a "mission" or
"task."
WISH LIST:
Faculty and student suggestions for titles, authors, or subjects
are welcome.