Conclusions/Discussion
The location of the media center is not in a central location for the entire school. Since this building was built over 65 years ago, many of the factors of today's media center and the square footage requirements are not being met. During the 2014-2015 school year, the school will move to another building permanently, but that building is quite old, also. The best way to change the location of the media center is to restructure the buildings, but that decision must be made at the district level, and that requires a high level of funding.
The current Media Center has both positives and negatives. The spacing and square footage of the open space is adequate, but the shape prevents the media specialist from seeing students who may hide between the bookcases. Since this is an alternative school, it is especially important to be able to see students as they are selecting books from the shelves. In order to correct this problem, it is necessary to use parallel rows of bookcases. The Media Center does not have a true circulation desk or a book drop. A circulation desk and book drop needs to be added to the media center. The age of the media center limits the design for conference rooms and spacious work areas for teachers. These areas definitely need to be improved for ease of access.
The separation of the study table area, computer lab area, and student relaxation zones provide multiple areas to host 2-3 classes in the media center at any given time. Fiction and non-fiction books are separated from the Biography books which is separated from Reference books to allow for ease of access according to the needs of teachers, students and other patrons. In the event that a student has a physical disability, there is plenty of space to allow for movement through the media center without harming anyone.
The results of the survey indicate that changes should be made to the media center for both patron satisfaction and curricular needs. Special lamps need to be added to the student relaxation zone for enhanced lighting effects when reading, and a closed circuit program like a school news program should be added. Even though the school is involved in the Tickets to Reading Rewards program, patrons would like to have an Accelerated Reader program for middle school students like the other schools in Houston County. Comfortable chairs can be added to the study tables for student use when teachers and the media specialist offers classes in the media center. For the purposes of this assignment and disregarding funding issues, books and computers can be added to the media center that better suit patrons' interest levels; this will enhance the overall monthly circulation. Soft benches can be added to the student and teacher relaxation zones. In order to move toward 21st century classrooms, wireless technology is neccessary to connect e-readers, iPads, laptops, printers and other devices.
The current Media Center has both positives and negatives. The spacing and square footage of the open space is adequate, but the shape prevents the media specialist from seeing students who may hide between the bookcases. Since this is an alternative school, it is especially important to be able to see students as they are selecting books from the shelves. In order to correct this problem, it is necessary to use parallel rows of bookcases. The Media Center does not have a true circulation desk or a book drop. A circulation desk and book drop needs to be added to the media center. The age of the media center limits the design for conference rooms and spacious work areas for teachers. These areas definitely need to be improved for ease of access.
The separation of the study table area, computer lab area, and student relaxation zones provide multiple areas to host 2-3 classes in the media center at any given time. Fiction and non-fiction books are separated from the Biography books which is separated from Reference books to allow for ease of access according to the needs of teachers, students and other patrons. In the event that a student has a physical disability, there is plenty of space to allow for movement through the media center without harming anyone.
The results of the survey indicate that changes should be made to the media center for both patron satisfaction and curricular needs. Special lamps need to be added to the student relaxation zone for enhanced lighting effects when reading, and a closed circuit program like a school news program should be added. Even though the school is involved in the Tickets to Reading Rewards program, patrons would like to have an Accelerated Reader program for middle school students like the other schools in Houston County. Comfortable chairs can be added to the study tables for student use when teachers and the media specialist offers classes in the media center. For the purposes of this assignment and disregarding funding issues, books and computers can be added to the media center that better suit patrons' interest levels; this will enhance the overall monthly circulation. Soft benches can be added to the student and teacher relaxation zones. In order to move toward 21st century classrooms, wireless technology is neccessary to connect e-readers, iPads, laptops, printers and other devices.