School Information

Media Center

Media Specialist : Rob Harper
Media Assistant: Cathie Schorn

The TPES Media Center houses a collection of approximately 12,373 items. This includes books, software, kits, magazines and videos. Computers in the media center and the computer lab offer students an opportunity to access the Internet and use other computer research tools. The media center also contains both a professional and parent collection. We feel that the library media program must be an integral part of the instructional process in order to promote information-seeking skills and groom a generation of lifelong readers.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Takoma Park Elementary Library Media Program is to ensure that the students and staff are effective users of ideas and information, to promote reading and the appreciation of literature, and to support students in becoming lifelong learners.

Goals

To provide appropriate materials and technologies to support the demand of the curriculum and the needs of the students and staff
To implement instruction by emphasizing information literacy skills integrated into content areas
To plan with teachers for their instructional use of the media center and to implement the Learner Outcomes for Library Media Programs
To schedule the use of the facility, the collection, and staff time for maximum benefit to the instructional program
To organize materials for effective use
To keep abreast of changing curricula and developments in technology
To provide staff development in the use of technology and its integration into the curriculum
To encourage students to develop a love of reading; including the implementation of reading incentives

Media Center Hours

The media center is open to students from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. We have an open policy, which means students are welcome to visit the media center whenever they have an information need. Students must come with a pass and no more than two students per classroom are permitted at a time.

Scheduling

Each first and second grade class is scheduled for a weekly 45 minute visit to the media center. Kindergarten is scheduled for a 40 minute weekly visit. During this time, classroom curricular outcomes are integrated with the media program’s learner outcomes and books are checked out.

Media Center Rules

Students are expected to use appropriate behavior in the media center. The media center rules are: whisper, walk, listen, respect others and respect books and technology. Please use “quiet” voices in the media center.

Circulation Policies and Procedures

Library Cards – All students are issued a library card. These cards are kept in the media center and are made available for students when they arrive for their weekly book exchange.
Loan Period – The loan period for student books is one week. Books can be renewed, but they must be present at the time of renewal.
Loan Limits – Students in kindergarten are allowed one book. First grade students are allowed two books; one of the books should be one the student can read independently. Second grade students are permitted any two books. Students in all grades are encouraged to visit the media center to exchange books between regularly scheduled class visits.
Overdue Books – Students who have an overdue book will not be permitted to check out another book. If a student forgets his/her media center book, he/she may select another book and leave it on the “Hold Shelf” for twenty-four hours.
Book Exchange – Students visit the media center weekly for book exchange with their class. Classes should collect and return all of their media center books first thing in the morning on their scheduled book exchange day. Baskets are available in the media center to facilitate the return of the books.
Lost and Damaged Books – Minor damages like small tears or pen or pencil marks often can be repaired in the media center. Books beyond repair, or those damaged by food or liquid, can no longer be circulated and a replacement copy must be purchased. In addition, a replacement copy must be purchased for lost books. Parents will be notified as to the cost of the replacement copy.

Computer Equipment and Resources

TPES has over 100-networked PC computers throughout the building. These computers provide staff and student with access to many resources. The computer lab, located in the Media Center, houses 19 computers. Computer resources include several online subscriptions including: SIRS Discoverer, Newsbank, World Book Online, Encyclopedia Britannica, and AP Multimedia Archive. In addition, we have several networked software packages including; Microsoft products, Kidspiration, Mighty Math series and Pair-It Books. The media center’s catalog, Spectrum, is also available on select computers. Supervised access to the Internet is also provided.

Parent Collection

We encourage all parents to visit our Parent Resource Collection. These books support general parenting issues and how parents can support their children in school. Parents are invited to check out the books using a card sign-out system. This collection is adjacent to the professional section in the Media Center.

Last updated September 26, 2007