Library Media Specialist: Robin Wofford
Library Paraprofessional: Margaret Souter
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:45 a.m. – 4:10 p.m. (Teachers are welcome 24/7!)
*Teachers needing materials after hours: Please sign out your books/materials on the clipboard located on the circulation desk labeled “After Hours Checkout Form”.
Library Resources
The library provides an assortment of print and electronic information sources. Students and teachers are encouraged to use these for research, instruction, and personal enrichment. We also provide instructional equipment for short-term use.
Print Resources
· Over 15,000 fiction, non-fiction, and reference books
· Approximately 800 instructional videotapes
· Over 30 print magazines/journals
· Two daily newspapers (Marietta Daily Journal and Atlanta Constitution)
Electronic Resources
· 14 networked computers provide access to the following resources:
o Reference databases (including encyclopedias and subject-specific research sources)*
o Periodical databases (offering full-text access to hundreds of newspapers and thousands of magazines and journals)*
o Destiny Search, a computerized “card catalog” of the library’s books & videos**
o Internet access
o Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Moviemaker
· All library computers offer B&W laser printing. Please limit your print jobs to 3 pages. (Print jobs more than 3 pages should be printed in the main computer lab. Your teacher laptop should be networked to the printer in the main lab. All SPED print jobs should be sent to the printer in the mini lab.)
* These subscription databases are available on any internet-connected computer. See a library staff member for addresses and passwords.
** The library catalog is available from any campus computer on the Novell network. Ask a library staff member how you can search for videos or books from your classroom!
Instructional Equipment
The following equipment is available for short-term (1-3 day) check out:
· LCD Projectors & Carts
· Digital Cameras
· Video Cameras
· VCR, TV, & Cart
· DVD Player, TV & Cart
· Laserdisc Player
· Scan Converters (Computer to TV)
· Opaque Projector
· Projection Screens
· CD/Cassette (Boom boxes)
· Cassette Recorders
· Slide Projector
· Book Carts
· AV (flat) carts
Equipment (with the exception of overheads) should be checked out through the circulation desk. LCD Projectors should be signed out on our Schedule Sheet.
* Overhead Projectors (some with carts, some without) are in most classrooms. If you are new to McCleskey and do not have one in your room, see the media center staff. If you HAVE an overhead in your classroom and do not plan on using it, please return it to the media center so that it may be distributed to another classroom.
** The media center does not provide video tapes, audio tapes, floppies, blank CDs, blank DVDs, memory cards (digital still cameras have internal memory) or batteries. We also are unable to purchase equipment for permanent placement in classrooms.
Library Services
The most important service offered by the library is information literacy instruction. Our primary purpose is to help students become savvy “information consumers.” We accomplish this goal through both group and individual instruction.
Group Instruction (Bringing Your Class to the Library)
Teachers are encouraged to bring their classes to the library for research-based assignments. The media specialist is always happy to provide instruction on finding, evaluating, and using information. However, class visits such as this require a degree of collaboration between the classroom teacher and the media specialist. If you would like to schedule a class visit to the library, please follow these steps:
1. Formulate a mental “rough draft” of your assignment, including objectives to be met and products to be produced.
2. Come to the library and discuss your assignment with the library media specialist. He may offer some suggestions for “fine-tuning” your assignment based on the resources that we have available.
3. At this time you can also check the library schedule to see which days/periods are available. (We are sometimes booked weeks in advance, so plan ahead!) After deciding when you want to come to the library, ask a library staff member to add your name to the list. Please do not add your name to the schedule book without consulting the library media specialist!
4. Take a “Cooperative Planning Form” with you when you leave the library. (You might want to fill in the dates & class periods on the form before leaving.) Fill out the form and return it at least one full day before your scheduled visit. Be sure to include any materials (handouts, topic lists, etc.) that will help us prepare for your visit.
5. When your class comes to the library, we will direct the students to sit at the tables or in the computer area, depending on the assignment. We may provide some general orientation, but we will usually direct most of our instruction toward the skills & resources needed to complete your specific assignment. After providing instruction to the class as a whole, we will be available to answer individual questions about using the library. We ask that you stay engaged with your class during their visit to answer questions about the assignment and help maintain productivity.
When All Does NOT Go as Planned…
· Substitute teachers should not bring classes to the media center for research-based assignments. (They can however, bring classes for checkouts.) If you have to be absent on the day of your scheduled lesson, please make alternate plans for your class. Come to the library when you return, and we will reschedule your visit.
· If you need to postpone or cancel your class visit to the library, we understand; just let us know as soon as possible. (Even if you decide to cancel at the very last minute, we can use our time more productively if we know not to expect you.)
Individual Instruction (Sending Students to the Library)
· Students are welcome in the library all day, but we believe that your instruction should take first priority. Students are encouraged to use the library before school (from 8:45 AM until after morning announcements) to avoid missing instructional time in your classroom.
· Students may also visit the library during the school day, but only with permission (and a signed agenda) from their classroom teacher for that period. If you wish to send a student to the library during the school day, please sign his/her agenda. Do not send more than two students at a time, and do not send students without a clear assignment. Please do not send students to check their email or visit unapproved websites.
· It is always a good idea to check with the media specialist prior to sending students down (live or email). That way not only will the media center staff be prepared and able to direct your students to resources, but it may avoid us having to sending them back to class due to the media center reaching maximum capacity or being shorthanded.
Please be aware that classes that are in the library for group instruction have “dibs” on the library resources, so some resources (especially internet access) might not be available to individual students during class periods.
Other Library Services
· Media Committee: This committee meets to examine challenged material on an “as needed” basis and consists of the following individuals: An administrator, the media specialist and 4 teachers, 3 parent/community members, and 2 students.
· Internet Access: As per Cobb County Internet use policy, students are only allowed to use Cobb Virtual Library, Nettrecker, Webpath Express, or sites that you have linked to your personal blogs. Students are not to use Google, Yahoo, etc. or check their email at school.
· Lamination: The school laminator is housed in the teacher work room of the library. We turn the machine on when we arrive (normally 8:00 AM) in the morning and off when we leave (normally 4:30 PM). Our machine cannot laminate items more than 3 pages thick, or items with staples, glitter, or other irregularities. If you have never used a laminator before, we will give you the “laminator In-service” and turn you loose!
· Professional Collection: We maintain a small collection of professional magazines and books, but the most current information on education trends and teaching practices can be found in the GALILEO or ERIC periodical databases. If you don’t find what you need there, ask the library media specialist for other information sources.
· “Weekend Reader” Collection: The library is starting a collection of paperback books (mysteries, romance, etc.) for your enjoyment. This collection is supported and maintained entirely by teachers. If you have an item you would like to donate or if you are looking for some “light” reading, drop by the library for an orientation on how to check these books out.
· Computer Labs: THREE LABS, No Waiting!!! Main lab, Mini lab, and the all new Media Lab (OPENING FALL OF ’07) if you would like to schedule your classes for the labs, come by the library to sign up. (The labs tend to book well in advance, so sign up as early as possible.)
· Theatre: Reservations for our theatre can be made on the calendar in the media center (bulletin board going into the teacher work room.) If you have AV needs (sound board, screen, lights, etc.) let us know and we will be glad to give you the “Theatre In-service”.
· Channel 4: Channel 4 broadcasts school announcements via our closed circuit system. It is updated once a week (usually on Monday mornings). If you have announcements that need to be broadcast school wide, please email them to Robin Wofford.
· McTV: (PREMIERING LATE FALL ’07) It is with great pleasure that we announce the return of the broadcast team to McCleskey. This will be a more subdued version of the one in the past. It will be a 5 minute broadcast one day a week (Friday mornings) with school announcements, news, and information. Look for more information to come concerning student auditions etc. The team will meet two days a week from 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM (Tuesdays to write and Wednesdays to rehearse and film.) Editing will be done on Thursdays and the show will be broadcast on Fridays.
· Technology Work Orders: Email technology issues to Robin Wofford. Please include your badge number, room number, and a brief description of the problem.
· Book Fair: This year we will not be hosting an “In School” book fair. Instead, we plan on partnering with Barnes and Noble to hold an “In Store” book fair. Dates/times TBA.
· AV Consulting: If you have a question about purchasing, installing, or troubleshooting audiovisual equipment, contact one of the library media specialists.
