SWOT Analysis for “Libraryville” Elementary School 2017-2018
By: Abigail Samsel
1. Assess Current State
Strengths
● Large open space for movement around the library.
● 23 Chromebooks designated for the library classes.
● Metal walls offer a great opportunity for magnetic,
collaborative activities.
● Supportive administration for carte blanche creativity.
● Enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers help reshelve
books.
● Support from other librarians within the district
● Strong IT team to maintain Chromebooks and internet
service for students and teachers to access online
catalog and other resources.
● Smartboard for interactive games and activities.
● Librarian enrolled in graduate programs, offering new
and engaging materials to improve and update current
library.
● Enrichment block allows opportunity for deeper learning
activities without limitations (on unit, curriculum, or
grades).
● Book selection includes a wide range of genres and high
interest topics.
● OPAC/Atriuum includes webpage to connect with the
community and share resources.
Weaknesses
● Cumbersome desk makes it difficult for book checkout.
● Space constricted by shelving and other furniture.
● Lack of storage for makerspace activities.
● Budget for makerspace resources (not books) unknown.
● Smartboard needs to be calibrated daily and poor
lighting makes it difficult to see images on the screen.
● Limited time available for collaboration with staff on new
initiatives.
● Vast number duties for a single librarian inhibit growth
and quality of program provided to students (circulation
responsibilities, database entry and tracking of
collection, lesson planning, grading, instruction, data
tracking of student growth, planning with teachers,
additional teacher duties that take the librarian away
from the space, community event planning).
● Librarian enrolled in graduate programs; limited
knowledge of library resources.
● Circulation program inefficient (Atriuum).
● Checkout procedure for students slowed by single
scanner.
● Many of the books are severely worn and need
replacements.
● Limit space for large gatherings, so library is often used
for additional programs (aftercare, meetings), often
rearranging the room.
● OPAC/Atriuum website limited capabilities for sharing
information and current library events with the
 community.
● Expectations what online databases and subscriptions
the librarian is responsible for.

Opportunities
- Collaborate with teachers on curriculum during PLC
blocks.
- Support student learning and technology initiatives with
Chromebooks.
- Budget made clear for purchase of new books.
- Creating a new website and blog to communicate with
families (edublogs).
- Opportunities to connect with other librarians to observe
and discuss best practices.
- SAU provides the opportunity for the librarian to take
graduate courses.
- Opportunity to improve upon current curriculum for
library program.
Threats
● Old school thought from teachers and parents that have
different expectations of how library period should be
conducted.
● School board member who is particular ornery in regards
to the budget, especially when applied to Unified Arts
(including the library).
● Use of books by younger students increases the risk of
immediate damage to the collection.

2. Design

“Libraryville” Mission:
The Mission of the “Libraryville” School District is to ensure high levels of learning for all. Through ​innovation and
collaboration w ​ ith our community, we will ​encourage and challenge e ​ ach student with a ​rigorous and
relevant program​.
3. Future State - Current progress made in unison with Principal John Smith and Assistant Principal Jane Lane
Vision Statement:

Lamprey River Elementary will provide an environment that fosters a collaborative culture for passionate life-long learners, models
digital citizenship and empowers students with essential literacy and critical thinking skills. Teacher and student growth will be
supported through relevant text, technology integration, and ​current strategies/innovative strategies.​ We will encourage our
students to be active explorers, driving the curriculum through inquiry and problem solving, connecting with local and global
communities.

SWOT Analysis – “Libraryville” Elementary School

A thorough review of the Library Media Center at “Libraryville” Elementary School has revealed that although the classroom
space shows signs of age, it continues to be a critical component to the school curriculum and student resource center. The building
is over 20 years old with many positive changes underway. The library center is a rectangular open-space concept; the area is
defined by bookshelves, a storage unit, a metal wall on the back wall of the room, and the back of a display case. It is conveniently
located in the middle of the school flanked by hallways forming an “H” and surrounded by other classrooms. Though accessible to all,
this means that there is no natural lighting. Bookshelves on wheels were moved to create a shared wall and space for Title 1 learning
groups adjacent to the library. This provides quick and easy access to reading material for multi-level readers. Across from the library
open space are closed suites for students requiring a quiet learning space with paraprofessional support. Investment in technology
replaced old, space consuming, desktops with 23 brand new Chromebooks, stored easily on a cart. The library also contains a
working smartboard with a projector, a desktop to run the smartboard software, a desktop for the circulation desk, and a Kindle Fire
for student collaborative centers. In essence, the library is open all day with limited support. It is staffed by one librarian available to
support students and staff before school, after school, and a small period during the day. An online public access catalog provides
24/7 to the library resources for the entire community.

Though remodeling the space completely is not an immediate option, the library has been reconfigured to allow more open
floor space conducive to movement around the library with some limitations remaining. Extra, unused, furniture was removed and
bookshelves on wheels allow flexible options. Three other solid immobile bookshelves are shorter for more visibility however still
make it difficult for student navigation around the collection. A tall wooden paperback display case hinders visibility of students
imposes a concern for classroom management but remains a popular location for students to access books. Some flexible seating
was purchased however traditional tables and chairs are still required and used for classroom lessons. The round tables and
cumbersome plastic chairs make it a safety issue for students entering and exiting the library. Alternative placement for the tables is
challenging as the Smartboard is located on the back wall of the library on the same side as the bookshelves, which limit the spacing
of the tables and chairs. On the opposite side of the room, though more open is encumbered by the circulation desk. This outdated
piece of furniture is taller than most of the students which makes it inconvenient for checkout and creates a blind spot as it is located
in front of one section of the bookshelves. On the other hand removing furniture also removes storage options for necessary
classroom items such as markers, pencils, paper, book repair supplies, etc.

Another area of concern are the expectations of the librarian and how they hinder their ability to offer curriculum support. For
example, the librarian at LES is responsible for the following duties: circulation of books (checkout, checkin, and reshelving),
database entry and tracking of the collection, lesson planning, grading, classroom instruction, data tracking of student growth,
teacher curriculum support, and additional teacher duties within the school. Without an assistant or many volunteers, it forces the
librarian to prioritize specific tasks and limits the librarian’s availability for collaboration with teachers and community outreach. This is
certainly an area that needs to be addressed if the library is to be a center of thriving exploration and resource for students and
teachers
The library collection is maintained by Atriuum, an online software program. Though effective it is not efficient. Entering new
resources, new patrons, creating barcodes, and the circulation process of checking in and checking out books require additional
time-consuming steps. For example, incoming kindergarten students must be manually entered into the system and previous student
information such as teacher name, grade level, and graduates are not updated automatically. The checkout procedure for students
involves the use of barcodes, which the librarian scans and then scans their books. There is an option for self-checkout, however the
ID number associated with each student is 10 digits long; for some students this is not a problem, but for others it is challenging and
yet still a lengthy process.
The Chromebooks are designated for Library use which is a great resource for integrating technology with reading material.
The school district has a strong IT team that efficiently manages internet access and assists with technology problems in an expert
manner. When looking to the Future of an engaging 21st century classroom, a knowledgeable and flexible IT team is essential.
Challenges that come with using the Chromebooks include logging in and scheduling between grade levels. 4th and 3rd graders are
provided usernames and passwords, however it is unclear how Kindergarten through 2nd grade are provided access to the
computers. Currently the librarian logs into each of the Chromebooks using their own username and password. The benefit to this is
that the librarian can customize the Google web browser for younger students to quickly access specific sites designated for the
lesson. However if the computer use is only scheduled for 3rd grade and 4th grade lessons, the classes are interrupted by a second
grade class which means computers have to be packed away and then reset within a 5-minute transition. This involves an extra layer
of planning in order to maximize fluidity of classroom transition. Classes are scheduled for a 40 minute time block which poses an
additional challenge in balancing time for authentic instruction with deeper learning and time to checkout books. Despite the
scheduling constraints, the library has an enrichment block for students while teachers meet in professional learning committees.
This is an opportunity for the librarian to truly integrate inquiry based activities that combine technology and reading sources while
encouraging collaboration. On the other hand this opportunity is also a weakness as it is a lost opportunity for the librarian to plan in
concert with teachers.
The lres library, as it currently stands, requires much improvement in order to truly reflect an environment suited for
collaboration. The greatest asset that it possesses is a caring and enthusiastic community willing to invest in the future of the library.
Planning has begun at District level involving all principals, librarians and school board members to discuss long-term budgets and
goals based on current best practice research. The curriculum program is already implementing School initiatives by incorporating
Makerspace activities and inquiry-based project learning. The students also demonstrate enthusiasm for reading and interacting with
the resources available in the library. Other school programs utilize the library space is well including Community programs such as
the PTO. The LES library proves to be a central point for gathering and, with continued support for positive change, it will endure as a
sustainable environment promoting growth for all who utilize its resources.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals for the LES Library Media Specialist:

1. Over the next year, collaborate with at least each grade level on one academic project to provide a deeper learning
experience for students utilizing library resources.

2. Over the next year, collect feedback from students and teachers on high-interest resources and replace irreparable books
with library-bound, high-interest, materials from reputable sources.

3. Over the next year, manage and update the library page on OPAC and create a library blog to connect the student learning
with the community as well as promote the the positive changes occurring within the library program.