Media Center


  • Welcome to the Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary Media Center!

    At the Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School Media Center, we are excited about reading! Our mission is to develop and foster a lifelong love of reading in our student body.

    Students visit the library with their class frequently and are also always welcome to come down to the library on their own to use the computers, check out books, do research, or catch up on some recreational reading.

    Meet the Librarian

    Kaitlin Bevis is a certified School Library Media Specialist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in English: Creative Writing, a Master of Teaching in English: Secondary Education with a K-12 Reading Specialist, and an Educational Specialist Degree in School Library Media and Integrated Technology from the University of Georgia. She is also a published author of young adult novels and stories and teaches writing workshops at universities and conferences in her sparetime. 

    Library Media Center Handbook (link)

    The library's mission is to support school objectives and partner with others in the learning community to develop lifelong learners by fostering information literacy skills and a love of reading. We operate on a flexible schedule, which means that your child’s teacher will schedule various times to come to the library for collaborative projects, storytimes, and checkout. Students in grades PK-5 may check out books for two weeks at a time. These guidelines are flexible based on individual student and teacher needs.

    FYI:  Parents, guardians, and others who come into our building are also welcome to set up an account to check out additional books.

    Contents:

    • Your child has access to:
    • Special events to look forward to throughout the year
    • Stay connected
    • Volunteer
    • Use our resources at home
    • Hours of Operation
    • Check Out Procedures
    • Teacher Check-Out/Check-In Procedure
    • Student Check-Out/Check-In Procedure
    • Equipment
    • Selection Principles
    • Selection Criteria
    • Reconsideration of Materials
    • Library Media Committee
    • Gifts
    • Weeding
    • References

     

    In Our Media Center, Your Child Has Access To...

    • Approximately 10,000 print books
    • More than 500 eBooks in Destiny Discover
    • Tumblebooks Library
    • Student Book Swap Shelf
    • Databases such as PebbleGo, Galileo, and more
    • Makerspace resources
    • Each child also has access to a full suite of Google Apps for Education.

    Special Events to Look Forward To  

    • Author Visits

    • Dot Day in September

    • Book Fairs in October and March

    • Reading Day w/ Storybook Character Parade (November)

    • National Novel Writing Month (November)

    • Hour of Code (December)

    • Read Across America Week (May)

    • National Poetry Month (April)

    • Books for Keeps Distribution (May)

    Stay Connected!  

     

     Volunteer

     

    Volunteers are critical in keeping the media center organized and running smoothly. There are two kinds of volunteers:

    • Regular volunteers who come at the same time on a weekly basis to shelve books, assist students in finding materials, and completing various projects

    • “As-needed” volunteers who lend their talents to specific projects that come up during the year. For example, book fair, designing library signs, creating special displays, etc.

    • Email bevisk@clarke.k12.ga.us to start the short process of becoming a volunteer.

    Use Our Resources at Home!  

    Hours of Operation

     

    The library media center is open each weekday from 7:30 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. Students are allowed to come to the library media center as frequently as the need arises. Students should request a library media center pass from their teacher and should come individually or in groups of no more than four unless accompanied by the teacher. Large group checkout can be scheduled on the media center calendar.  

    Check Out Procedures

    Teacher Check-Out/Check-In Procedure

    1.  All books and other materials are checked out using the barcode for the book and teacher’s name. 

    2.  Books and materials may be kept as long as necessary, but we may make overdue notifications when it has been 12 school days since checkout. 

    3.  Classroom collections should be changed frequently to keep all books and materials available for everyone to use.

    4.  Teachers should check out their own books on the circulation desk computer.

    5.  Teachers should check in their own books on the circulation desk computer. Library books are placed on the reshelving cart.  

    Student Check-Out/Check-In Procedure

    1. Students may check out two books for up to two weeks at a time. If a student has two books checked out on their account, they’re welcome to browse our little free library shelves. 

    2. Books are checked out for a period of two weeks. The teacher’s help is requested in encouraging students to return books in a timely manner.

    3. Students may check out their own books on the circulation desk computer using their student ID or library card.

    4. Students may check in their own books on the circulation desk computer and put them on the carts for reshelving.

    Equipment

    1. All equipment should be checked out before it is taken from the library media center.

    2. Equipment that is kept in the classroom should be kept in a “secure” area of the classroom.

    3. Equipment must NEVER be left in the hallway overnight.

    4. Many pieces of equipment are kept in the equipment room of the library media center and may be checked out each day for use. This equipment must be checked out and should be returned to the equipment room each evening by 3 p.m.

    5. Students are never allowed to move equipment on carts.

     

    Devices

     

    Selection Policy

     

    It is the goal of the media center to select print, non-print, and electronic materials based on the following principles. Each selection principle, along with the selection criteria, aids in the evaluation of materials being considered for inclusion in the collection. The selection principles of the Library Media Center are:

    • To develop a collection that supports, supplements, and enriches the curriculum of the school

    • To provide a wide range of quality materials on various ability levels

    • To provide materials that represent the religions, ethnicities, and cultures both within the school community and beyond

    • To select material that represents differing viewpoints on various topics in order to support students in learning critical analysis of information and in making informed decisions

    • To put aside personal opinions and biases and develop a comprehensive collection that serves the school community

    • To provide materials in a variety of formats

    • To select materials that encourage growth in factual knowledge, leisure reading, literary appreciation, and societal standards (Bishop, 2007)

     

     

    Selection Criteria

     

    Selection of materials and equipment will be based on one or more of the following criteria:

    • Appropriateness to the curriculum and its users (Bishop, 2007)

    • High technical and aesthetic quality that catches and holds the user’s attention (Bishop, 2007)

    • Relevance to users, school mission goals, and district goals in today’s world (Bishop, 2007)

    • Value to the collection as a whole; does not promote any stereotypes. Encourages understanding, problem-solving, and creativity (Bishop, 2007)

    • Fills its purpose and meets a need in the collection (Bishop, 2007)

    • Presents information that is timely, accurate, valid, and reliable (Bishop, 2007)

    • Highly qualified and credible creators (Bishop, 2007)

    • Durability; ease of operation, maintenance, and serviceability 

    • Cost-effectiveness within media budget parameters

    • Replacements for lost, stolen, or ill-used items  

     

    Selection of materials may additionally be influenced by recommended reading lists, book reviews, journal articles, and other selection tools; however, materials may be selected without the aid of these sources, and the media specialist’s professional judgment will take precedence over the opinions and recommendations of others (Bishop, 2007). The media specialist may also find it valuable to select materials that violate one or more of the criteria above if they support the overall needs of the collection.

    Reconsideration of Materials  (per CCSD Policy IFBD-R)

    It is possible that there may be an objection to a selection, despite the care taken to select valuable materials for student and teacher use and the qualifications of the persons who select materials. When an individual raises a question concerning the content of any material, the person and the question should be treated with respect for the rights of the questioning individual and the rights of others who may view the material differently. Thus, a process is in place that is designed to keep the material at the center of discussion. Adhering to these procedures exactly as outlined is tantamount to respecting the rights of all involved. Without exception, the following steps will be taken in handling all complaints:

     

    • The complainant is asked to file his/her objections in writing on a copy of the attached form (“Request for Reconsideration of Materials”). This form may be obtained from the principal’s office of each school. One report must be filed per title, and the report must specify exact pages and content, as well as detailed reason(s) why material is found objectionable. Series and/or entire genres will not be reviewed as a whole.

    • The district Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, and Coordinator of Media Services are immediately informed of the complaint, along with the principal and media specialist affected by the complaint.

    • All challenged materials will remain in circulation until the complaint is processed and a final decision reached. However, if applicable, the student involved will be offered an appropriate alternate selection.

    • When the completed “Request for Reconsideration of Material” form is returned to the principal, the school media committee shall reevaluate the questioned material in light of accepted selection policies and educational objectives of the school.  The committee will:

    • Read and examine the material in light of its educational purpose as outlined in the district’s statement of philosophy for the selection of materials. 

    • Check the general acceptance of the materials by reading reviews and consulting standard selection aids.

    • Request more information from the complainant(s) if further clarification of the questionnaire is deemed expedient.

    • Weigh the value and fault against each other and form opinions based on the material as a whole and not on passages pulled out of context.

    • Discuss the material and prepare a report of the proceedings. It is vital that the focus of the committee’s work be the material under reconsideration, and as the goal is to discuss the merits and appropriateness of the work, a consensus for action is not required. The report serves to recommend action, if consensus is reached, or to reflect committee discussions, if unable to be in complete agreement on action. The material will remain on the shelf unless consensus to remove it is reached by the committee.

    •  File a copy of the report in the school and administrative offices.

    •  The committee shall submit a copy of the report to the concerned individual.

    • If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, a written appeal shall be submitted prior to and by the end of the 15th working day after the complainant has received the committee’s report. The appeal shall be submitted to the system-wide media committee, which shall reevaluate the material and submit its written decision to the individual and the Superintendent.

    • If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision, he/she may meet with the Superintendent and discuss the matter, and be provided with a written response regarding the Superintendent’s decision. The Superintendent will act in any one of the following ways: 1) support the response of the District Media Advisory Committee; 2) request that the District Media Advisory Committee revisit the complaint and modify their response; or 3) overturn the response of the District Media Advisory Committee. The State also requires that minutes of any such hearings be taken and made available should the State request them upon appeal beyond the Superintendent.

    • If satisfaction is still not received, he/she may present a written appeal to the district Board of Education. The Board of Education will consider the appeal at their next regularly scheduled meeting, and will respond with a written reply. The School Board will act in any one of the following ways: 1) support the response of the Superintendent; 2) request that the Superintendent revisit the complaint and modify his/her response; or 3) overturn the response of the Superintendent. The State also requires that minutes of any such hearings be taken and made available should the State request them upon appeal beyond the Board of Education.

    • If the complainant is still not satisfied, he/she may present a written appeal to the State Board of Education, requesting a hearing. The decision of the State Board of Education completes the process.

    Weeding

    The media specialist is responsible for the maintenance and preservation of the collection. Worn-out materials will be rebound if desirable; otherwise, materials will be removed from the collection based on one or more of the following criteria (Bishop, 2007)

    • Poor physical condition (Bishop, 2007)

    • Unattractive appearance (Bishop, 2007)

    • Poor circulation record – materials not circulated for 5 years and reference materials not used in five years

    • Outdated or inaccurate information (Bishop, 2007)

    • Biased or stereotypical portrayals (Bishop, 2007)

    • Duplicates of titles no longer in demand (Bishop, 2007)

    • Subject matter unsuitable for users (Bishop, 2007)

    • Inappropriate reading levels (Bishop, 2007)

    • Topics no longer of interest or no longer associated with the Georgia Standards

     

    Weeded materials will be removed from the collection. The bar codes will be removed and the items will be deleted from the circulation system. Materials that still hold educational value will be dispersed to classroom teachers.  Items that are outdated and lack educational value will be discarded. Equipment, which cannot be repaired and must be discarded, becomes surplus equipment.  A work order is completed for the physical plant maintenance department stating that this equipment must be “withdrawn - sent to warehouse for resale.”

    References

    American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational

    Communications and Technology. (1998). Information power: Building

    partnerships for learning. Chicago: American Library Association.

     

    American Library Association. Access to resources and services in the school library

    media program. Retrieved May 17, 2008 from http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/ statementspols/statementsif/interpretations/librarymediaprogram.pdf

     

    Becker, Gary H.  The Copyright Game Resource Guide.  (Gary H. Becker 164 Lake

    Breeze Circle  Lake Mary, FL  32746)

     

    Bishop, K. (2007). The collection program in schools: Concepts, practices, and

    information sources. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

     

    Library Media Committee

        

    The library media committee serves as the advisory board for library media center functions.  It is composed of representatives from administration, each grade level, and the library media specialist. The library media committee meets to evaluate library media center policies, procedures, and programs. This evaluation will be used to determine program goals, expand and/or delete services, and revise procedures, as necessary. 

     

    Other functions of the library media committee may include goal development for the upcoming school year, recommendations for print and nonprint purchases, activities selection, reading challenged materials, and serving as a springboard for grade level collaboration.

     

     

    Gifts

     

    Gift materials will be accepted according to the same criteria as other materials. In addition, the media center does not accept gifts with restrictions or conditions related to their final use, disposition, or location. Gifts must contribute to the furtherance of the objectives of the instructional program. Donated materials addressing controversial issues must give a balanced treatment of the issues if they are to be accepted for the school library media center. All gift materials become property of the school district and may be dispensed as deemed appropriate by the media specialist and the media committee.

     

      Kaitlin Bevis 
       Library Media Specialist
     bevisk@clarke.k12.ga.us

    706-548-2261, ext. 32280