Cassidy Vance

SMP2

Spring 2014

School Library Vision/Philosophy Purpose: The purpose of the school media center is to cultivate inquisitive, lifelong learners who are motivated to become effective and efficient users of ideas, resources, and information. The media center plans to develop this philosophy by adhering to the AASL (American Association of School Librarians American Association of School Librarians) 21st century learner standards. Students will be encouraged to become engaged readers, critical thinkers, and clever researchers. The environment of the media center provides a welcoming and inviting atmosphere, where students, staff, and parents have access to a variety of books, technology resources, and teacher librarians to collaborate with and facilitate successful learning. Access to Information: The media center believes that everyone should have equal opportunity and access to the bountiful array of information and technology that our school can provide. Teacher librarians help to facilitate the unique learning needs of every learner. The media center provides student computers, a relaxing reading space, Smart Boards, Neos , and a plethora of informational books, biographies, fiction books, and non-fiction books. In addition, the county provides access to leveled eBooks on the districts online program, My eClass. The media center is open Monday-Friday from 7:30-3:30, and sometimeslater hours if there is a family/PTA night planned. The school also provides an extremely helpful parent center that collaborates with the media center to ensure that all families have access to internet/technology needs if they do not have access at home. Provide a climate conducive to learning: At the PES media center, students are always excited and encouraged to come visit, learn, and check-out new books. There is a large rug and three big, comfy chairs for students to come relax and get enthralled with a new book. The media center provides student computers for students to use, as well as, for teachers to sign up and bring their class in for a lesson. However, as stated in the mission statement, that all students be able to pursue knowledge, the amount of computers and tablets presently available is not sufficient for the schools large population. PES is gaining more wireless accessibility to hopefully incorporate the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) plan into the school, as well as, to continually research technological updates for the devices and computers that the school currently uses. Access for the local learning community: The PES media center and school highly encourages staff development and empowers all faculty members to be lifelong learners as well. The school has collaborated with

Cassidy Vance

SMP2

Spring 2014

Scholastic and Accelerated Reader representatives to come and demonstrate presentations for our staff. PES also has a media/technology vertical team that plans monthly and sometimes weekly to improve and benefit our school.

School library mission statement The mission of the PES media center is to cultivate lifelong learners and provide effective information and resources to enhance successful learning. References: Mission and Purpose. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/mediasvcs.nsf/pages/MissionandPurpose~MediaH ome

Peachtree Elementary School - IB World School. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://www.teacherweb.com/GA/PeachtreeElementarySchool/Homepage/apt22.as px

American Association of School Librarians (2009). Empowering learners: Guidelines for school library programs. Chicago, Illinois: American Association of School Librarians.