School Library Media Program Comparison Observations and Interviews conducted by Christine Caruso

College Gardens Elementary Media Center Rockville, MD

College Gardens Overview Student population: 800 students Students to teacher ratio: 27 to 1 Media Center Budget: $7,000 Media Center Overview: -One full time media specialist with a .875 assistant -Flex scheduling for research with fixed weekly and biweekly lessons for all grades -A large facility with: 10,000 titles in the collection 6 computer stations and a full lab Online Database Collection Fiction/nonfiction/periodicals/ reference/resource sections -an instructional section with promethean board along with a separate story time section College Gardens Overview

Collaboration, Cooperation & Coordination “I try hard to collaborate with teachers. There are some cases in which we show true collaboration for research projects. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I feel that most of my work falls within cooperation & coordination.” –Cyndi K. (SLMS) 2nd & 5th grade teams: full collaboration for research K, 1st grade & 4th grade: cooperation with curriculum 3rd grade and specialists: coordination of materials

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School A private Catholic school in Olney, MD

OLGCS Demographics Student population: 1,283 Student to teacher ratio: 20 to 1 Media Center Budget: $25,000 + Media Center Overview: One full time media specialist and a full time assistant Fiction/nonfiction/periodicals/ religion/reference sections Computer hubs on both sides of the center along with study carols, tables and a promethean board Extensive Online Database collection Two full class size computer labs Lounge area with plush chairs OLGCS Demographics

Collaboration at OLGCS? “Most teachers are not open to full collaboration with me. However, I do support the curriculum by pulling materials for classes and creating libguide webpages for their use… I also instruct the staff and students on how to use the databases for research and give input on certain project requirements.” –Marybeth (SLMS)

Beltsville Academy: K-8 public school in Beltsville, MD Beltsville is split between two buildings: An elementary facility and a middle school facility. Both share the same media center.

Beltsville Overview Student Population: 1,068 Student to Teacher Ratio: 22 to 1 Media Center Budget: $1,200 Media Center Overview: -One full time media specialist -Fixed scheduling for K-5 -Some flex hours for 6-8 research -A smaller center with projector screen, story time area, 6 tables, 3 computers - 15,000 Fiction/nonfiction/Black- eyed Susan /reference sections -Online database collection -Faculty room attached to media center Beltsville Overview

Coordination… “Due to my schedule, I don’t have much free time to meet with staff. I do pull materials for them, and plan instruction to match the curriculum content.” -MaryBeth B. *Fixed schedule: Weekly lessons with K-5 *Flexible time:(Thursday pm) Media support for 6-8 Research

What are the main differences in these media programs? Budget amounts Collaboration Scheduling (fixed vs. flexible) Staffing allocations Size of media center Collection Materials

Reasons for the differences: Private vs. public schools Montgomery vs. Prince George’s County Schedules set by SLMS or by administration Staffing set by county or by school administration Budget set by county which influences collection development, technology etc Planning time & rapport with staff varies, which affects collaboration

An Effective School Library Media Specialist (AASL, 2009): Collaborates & shares knowledge with staff Has a well developed instructional program aligned with the common core and 21st century standards Teaches students how to locate, select and evaluate materials

An Effective School Library Media Specialist (AASL, 2009): Is a School Leader and an Advocate of their program Maintains a well developed collection of print, non-print and online materials Continues Professional Development as a lifelong learner

Finally, My Ideal Library… Has a full-time assistant supporting the SLMS Allows for flexible scheduling for instruction, collaboration & assessment Contains a well developed collection with a variety of equipment A reasonable budget to meet the needs of my students and staff

References American Association of School Librarians. (2009). Empowering learners: Guidelines for school library media programs. Chicago: American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association. Bauernschub, M. (2012). Beltsville Academy Website. Retrieved from: http://www1.pgcps.org/beltsville/index.aspx?id=152430 Kelly, C. (2012) College Gardens Elementary Website. Retrieved from: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/collegegardenses/mediacenter/ Milcetich, M. (2012) Our Lady of Good Counsel Website. Retrieved from: http://olgchs.libguides.com/