The media center at Belvedere Elementary was renovated in …



The media center at Belvedere Elementary was renovated in 1999. At that time, a computer lab was created that is adjacent to the media center. Since then, a mini lab has been established in the media center. In order to make the media center, the hub of the building, some changes need to be made. So, we would like to renovate the Belvedere media center to make it user and technology friendly. We would like to extend the media to create a new computer lab, quiet reading/teaching area, media production room, and bathroom.

Technology is an important part of media center. The special education department has been granted new wireless laptops for a new lab, but there is nowhere to house them. The technology room will house the new laptops. Wireless service will need to be set up. Touch screen, and adaptive mouse. A color printer and black and white laser printer.

A Smartboard with projector, document camera and laptop will be used in the large instruction area of the media. These technologies are needed for teaching and presentations. This area of the media will be used for general instruction, staff development, graduate courses and PTA meetings. The reference area will be close to this area for easy access during group research time. The tables and chairs will be large enough for students to work in small groups.

A media production area is needed for our morning news program. At this time, the production area is taking up the quiet reading area in the media center. The new media production area will be adjacent to the quiet reading area. There will be a folding wall in between the two rooms. The wall will fold away to open the rooms into one. This will allow for classes to video themselves or for morning announcement performances.

The new quiet reading room will be modeled after the children’s room at Enoch Pratt in Baltimore. There are carpeted steps in a semicircle, stadium style with pillows that allow students a relaxing place to read or be read to. This will be a space teachers can read to students, or students can perform plays. It is ideal for teaching pre-k and kindergarten classes. The folding door will have white erase boards and bulletin board space.

The closest bathroom to the media center is outside of the media center by the cafeteria. Students can not be monitored if they leave to use the facilities. The bathroom will be a unisex bathroom with a commode and a urinal. The sink will be handicap accessible and there will be handrails as well. Next to the bathroom will be a sink and water fountain for patron use.

The mission, vision, and values of Belvedere Elementary School have a great effect on the outcome of the new library we have created. It also was based on our philosophy and most importantly the School Improvement Plan.

Two of the school’s main goals are to increase the number of students scoring proficiency or above on the Maryland State Assessments in math and reading. Our new and improved library will be able to help the school achieve these goals. The new library will provide the school with multiple areas for the reading teachers, assistants, and parent volunteers to pull small groups. At this time we have groups being pulled in hallways and teacher workrooms. These groups could be used for intervention or enrichment, which in turn will help to ensure that 90% of students in grades 3-5 will reach proficiency or above in on the reading MSA. The expansion of the small computer lab will greatly help the school. One of our actions steps, to improve out math MSA scores, is to provide additional math interventions. A way to do this is to utilize the computer programs Understanding math and Understanding Numeration. At this time we have the programs; however we do not have enough computers for the students to use them. A larger more effective wireless computer lab will definitely allow for the students to receive the intervention resources the school has available. Finally the school has planned to offer a minimum of four parent workshop to increase our community involvement. The new large main teaching area will provide an excellent location for these parent workshops.

Belvedere Elementary School Media Philosophy

The Belvedere media specialist will provide a safe, structured, engaging environment in which students become effective users of ideas and information and prepare to become lifelong learners. We will achieve this goal by:

• providing access to appropriate print and non-print materials

• providing instruction and learning activities to teach them how to access and organize information

• collaborate with and support classroom teachers using the voluntary state curriculum

This goal will provide an equal opportunity for students of all grade levels and abilities to reach their fullest potential.

Environmental Design Elements:

Carpeting: Carpeting should be used throughout the library because it provides a warmer environment than tile and it also helps with the acoustics. The carpet should have a moisture barrier that prevents mold growth. Research has shown that allergies are more aggravated by use of tile or hardwood flooring because the allergens are not trapped as they are with carpet, but are able to float through the air (Erickson and Markuson, 2007).

Educational Specifications:

Circulation Desk:

This area will be used to check out materials to patrons of the library. Either the LMS or the assistant will be stationed there so that they are available to assist patrons as needed. The first goal of Standards for the 21st Century Learner is to inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge. By asking for help or checking out materials, patrons are on the road to accomplishing this goal.

Entrance Lounge:

The loveseat and chair at the entrance are for the use of all who want to read a book, have a meeting, or work with an intervention group. This is both an instructional area and a recreational area. As much as this is a versatile area, standard 4.2.4, show an appreciation for literature by electing to read for pleasure and expressing an interest in various literary genres, is what this area lends itself to the most. It is a comfy spot to read with a book for fun.

Everybody Section:

The picture book section of the library is geared for the younger patrons of the LMC. The shelving is shorter so that they can browse and select the books without needing assistance to reach what they want. There are 4 round tables positioned close to the shelves so that the children can select a book, take it to the table, and read the book. All ages will be reminded that there is great literature contained in this section with hard readability levels. That is why this is called the everybody section. The 4 standards of Standards for the 21st Century Learner are met in this area. However, the one that best fits it is the fourth one, pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

Classroom Area:

This area has tables and chairs set up in a U. At the front of the instructional area is a SmartBoard. In addition to the SmartBoard, there is a document camera. Whole group instruction or students working with others to complete research will be the main student uses for this section of the LMC. The research materials are conveniently located in close proximity to this space. The area will also be used for staff meetings, staff development, and PTA meetings. Researching, expanding, and sharing ideas are met in the first 3 standards of the 21st Century Learner.

Media Production Room:

This room will house the morning news that broadcasts to all classrooms each day. This relates to Standard 3.1.4, use technology and other information tools to organize and display knowledge and understanding in ways that others can view, use and assess. This room is connected to Quiet Room by a folding wall.

Quiet Room:

This room has stadium style carpeted seating. The seating is in a semicircle so that their can be a reader or performance that all of the student can see. There are pillows so that the children can be comfortable and relaxed as they read, are read to, or watch a performance. This area correlates with the 4th standard of the twenty-first century learner because the youngest students are learning how to select materials of their own interest. One specific goal is 4.4.1, identify own areas of interest.

The wall between the Media Production Room and this room can open up so that this area can also be used for larger productions that can either be video-taped or shown on the morning news. The wall has white boards on it so that they can be used for instructional purposes, creating a more versatile use of the quiet room.

Computer Lab:

The LMC computer lab will house laptops that were gifted to the special education department. The LMC will be Wi-Fi capable to support the use of the laptops. This will provide the students with an opportunity to research through reputable websites and databases instead of having to wait for their assigned computer lab time. Standard 1.1.4, find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer questions, shows one way that learners are being productive parts of the 21st century.

Media Production Center:

Teachers and staff members will have access to this room to prepare materials for instruction. The laminators, poster maker, Ellison machine, etc. will be in this room. This is also an area for extra electronics and the office for the LMS.

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC): The LMC should have its own HVAC system. This allows the center to be used after school hours. This is important because the LMC houses expensive technology that needs to have specific temperature and humidity controls in place.

Vents should not be placed where patrons will be in a draft or have their work blown around (Erickson and Markuson, 2007).

Lighting: The lighting in the LMC will come from two sources, natural and electrical. Windows and skylights will provide natural light on sunny days. There will also be a bay window that can be used to display student work and allow natural light into the space. Research states that natural lighting is the best source of lighting because it is better psychologically and environmentally. However, the natural lighting needs to supplemented by electrical lighting due to the fact that not all days will be sunny. Indirect lighting will be used to prevent glare and shadows to readers and those working on computers. Since it is a more effective way to illuminate the LMC, it will need less energy than direct lighting which will save energy consumption (Erickson and Markuson, 2007).

Shelving: Case-style shelving, which uses pegs to hold up the shelves, will be used in the LMC. The shelves will need to hold approximately 100 pounds each. Wood is more aesthetically pleasing than steel shelving, even though more costly, but will hold up longer and not show scratches in paint. Since they need to last the lifetime of the library it will be well worth the cost (Erickson and Markuson, 2001). The shelves will be of varying heights depending upon their placement in the LMC. Turn-style racks will house the magazines. These will also be constructed of wood to fit with the other shelves in the LMC.

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Tables: There will be round tables placed close to the everybody bookshelves. They will be made of wood for durability.

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The LMC will also have rectangular wooden tables in the classroom area. [pic]

There will be 4 carrels placed at the ends of the everybody bookshelves for catalog computers. [pic]

The computer lab section of the LMC will have computer tables that neatly and safely store the cables and cords. The tables can be lined up end to end to make the maximum use of the space.

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Chairs/Seating: The chairs used at the tables around the library, will have wooden frames. They will have a cushioned back and seat.

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A loveseat and matching chair will make up a small, quiet reading area close to the entrance of the LMC. This will provide warmth and comfort to the ambiance to the overall feeling of the area.

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Power: Power outlets will be placed around the exterior walls of the LMC to provide maximum versatility for future years. Covered floor outlets will also be present throughout the interior so that computers for the catalog system and other electronic devices, such as document cameras, may be used as well. The computer lab area will also house enough outlets for computer usage.

The LMC will be built with Wi-Fi capabilities. However, to prevent down time for computer usage, network cable drops will also be run. This will ensure adequate time on the computers in case back-up is needed due to low signals.

Bibliography

Erikson, R. & Markuson, C. (2007). Designing a school library media center for the future. (2nd ed.). Chicago: American Library Association.

American Association of School Librarians. (2007). Standards for the 21st century learner. Chicago: American Library Association.

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