Reflection 1.3
1.3 Access to information
Candidates support flexible and open access for the library media center and its services. Candidates identify barriers to equitable access to resources and services. Candidates facilitate access to information in print, nonprint, and electronic formats. Candidates comply with and communicate the legal and ethical codes of the profession.
Standard 1.3 emphasizes the need to have open and equitable access to the media center and all its information in print, non-print, and digital formats. In ISTC 601 (Library Media Administration), we were assigned the project of developing and creating a facilities plan. For this artifact, our group decided to do a part renovation and part new addition for an ideal library. This was a great learning experience. We researched other libraries, looked at our own libraries, and acquired many ideas in which to design a model space that is both user friendly and supportive of high quality learning. In the design, it was important not to overlook any crucial details. The MSDE document for SLM facilities served as our baseline…..we wanted to include areas such as; reference, storytelling, instructional, leisure reading, production, storage, conferences, an office area, and checkout counter. Environmental issues were considered, as well as, ADA guidelines, acoustics, electrical outlets, lighting, furniture, room flexibility, community access, population growth. I never realized how many factors played into a good design!
From information gleaned in ISTC 615 (Collection Development), we were able to propose an ideal collection for the facility and recommend a budget to go along with the plan. This information was encompassed in a power point and presented during our class.
My job as a librarian at an elementary school provides a fixed schedule for every child to visit the library twice a cycle. In addition, the library is open one half hour before school and after school. The students love to come to the library whenever they get the opportunity. In the process of learning about ADA requirements in our facilities design project, I realized my own library was not in compliance. I was able to quickly put in a work order and have a few heavy shelves moved and aisles widened (by a moving company) in order to provide wheelchair access for future patrons.
I work in increments with each grade level teaching where to find nonfiction and fiction books, the use of the OPAC system, and how books are organized in each main area. By grade 2, the Dewey Decimal System begins to be understood. In ISTC 653 (Organization of Knowledge) I designed a Dewey Decimal power point and an accompanying photostory which featured an Italian puppet chef named Guido (who loves to cook). He discovers the OPAC system at our library and finds that books on making pizza (his favorite!) are in the Dewey number 641. He then has the opportunity to visit the children’s library in New York City and finds even more pizza-making books in the same number…641! The moral of the story is, ”once you find your way around one library, you can find your way around ANY library.” Guido, Italy, and pizza-making integrated into our school’s yearlong study of Italy. Happily, this project also won the Wicomico County Media Festival in 2008!
Students need to know how to access information in a variety of formats. It is my responsibility to facilitate access to the best available resources. Wicomico County has a nice selection of databases and other purchased software. In our school, children are exposed to computers as early as pre kindergarten through the use of Pixie. Research for older students is directed towards safe areas, such as our databases or child friendly sites, like National Geographic. The unrestricted ‘surfing’ or searching in google is discouraged. This year, youtube was opened for the first time to our teachers, with a signed Code of Conduct.
In order to provide a connection between school and home I have included an Electronic Database Brochure I created for parents of our students. Listed are various databases and login information for use of these sites at home. I have also included this on a wiki page designed for quick access from any computer. Creating this site allowed me to provide a service for our parents beyond the walls of the media center.
1.3 Access to information
Candidates support flexible and open access for the library media center and its services. Candidates identify barriers to equitable access to resources and services. Candidates facilitate access to information in print, nonprint, and electronic formats. Candidates comply with and communicate the legal and ethical codes of the profession.
Standard 1.3 emphasizes the need to have open and equitable access to the media center and all its information in print, non-print, and digital formats. In ISTC 601 (Library Media Administration), we were assigned the project of developing and creating a facilities plan. For this artifact, our group decided to do a part renovation and part new addition for an ideal library. This was a great learning experience. We researched other libraries, looked at our own libraries, and acquired many ideas in which to design a model space that is both user friendly and supportive of high quality learning. In the design, it was important not to overlook any crucial details. The MSDE document for SLM facilities served as our baseline…..we wanted to include areas such as; reference, storytelling, instructional, leisure reading, production, storage, conferences, an office area, and checkout counter. Environmental issues were considered, as well as, ADA guidelines, acoustics, electrical outlets, lighting, furniture, room flexibility, community access, population growth. I never realized how many factors played into a good design!
From information gleaned in ISTC 615 (Collection Development), we were able to propose an ideal collection for the facility and recommend a budget to go along with the plan. This information was encompassed in a power point and presented during our class.
My job as a librarian at an elementary school provides a fixed schedule for every child to visit the library twice a cycle. In addition, the library is open one half hour before school and after school. The students love to come to the library whenever they get the opportunity. In the process of learning about ADA requirements in our facilities design project, I realized my own library was not in compliance. I was able to quickly put in a work order and have a few heavy shelves moved and aisles widened (by a moving company) in order to provide wheelchair access for future patrons.
I work in increments with each grade level teaching where to find nonfiction and fiction books, the use of the OPAC system, and how books are organized in each main area. By grade 2, the Dewey Decimal System begins to be understood. In ISTC 653 (Organization of Knowledge) I designed a Dewey Decimal power point and an accompanying photostory which featured an Italian puppet chef named Guido (who loves to cook). He discovers the OPAC system at our library and finds that books on making pizza (his favorite!) are in the Dewey number 641. He then has the opportunity to visit the children’s library in New York City and finds even more pizza-making books in the same number…641! The moral of the story is, ”once you find your way around one library, you can find your way around ANY library.” Guido, Italy, and pizza-making integrated into our school’s yearlong study of Italy. Happily, this project also won the Wicomico County Media Festival in 2008!
Students need to know how to access information in a variety of formats. It is my responsibility to facilitate access to the best available resources. Wicomico County has a nice selection of databases and other purchased software. In our school, children are exposed to computers as early as pre kindergarten through the use of Pixie. Research for older students is directed towards safe areas, such as our databases or child friendly sites, like National Geographic. The unrestricted ‘surfing’ or searching in google is discouraged. This year, youtube was opened for the first time to our teachers, with a signed Code of Conduct.
In order to provide a connection between school and home I have included an Electronic Database Brochure I created for parents of our students. Listed are various databases and login information for use of these sites at home. I have also included this on a wiki page designed for quick access from any computer. Creating this site allowed me to provide a service for our parents beyond the walls of the media center.