Evansville+Christian+School+Media+Center

=﻿Media Specialist: Emily Green= //Library; and Western Kentucky Univerisity Academic Library; East Heights Elementary Library//
 * //Length of Service: 21 years//
 * //Educational Background: BSE in Elementary Education from Brescia University; MLS from Western Kentucky University//
 * //Previous Professional Employment: Henderson County Public Library; Evansville Vanderburgh Public//

//﻿//**Interview Information:**
 * Collaboration: uses mainly informal collaboration with teachers to assist with units or projects. Provides a beginning of year packet for teachers that includes a library to classroom connection form that they fill out and turn into the media specialist. The form alerts the librarian of current resource and collaboration needs on a weekly or monthly basis. Attends team meetings to access where the library might walk alongside the different grade level teams.


 * Technology: with more than twenty years of service, Emily has seen a major shift in the need for and use of technology in the media center. She states, "I have seen libraries go from using overheads and 16mm projectors to using computers, net books, document cameras, projection cameras, the Internet, electronic resources, and electronic readers." The ECS library transferred from a card catalog library to a web-based catalog within the last decade. Currently, the media center houses eight desk top computers with Internet access, thirteen net books, a Kindle, three digital cameras, three flip cameras, a DVD player, and a CD player; all of which are available for student use. In addition, a wireless projector system is used in the library. Emily states that every library budget needs to have a significant amount dedicated to technology to integrate information skills into the curriculum, but she also believes that libraries still need to have a significant amount of printed materials until the day when their digital counterparts replace the printed materials.


 * Program Planning & Accountability: Early in her career, she used mainly a library media guide that she collaborated on with area librarians. During the past several years, she has used ALA Standards for Information Literacy, Indiana's Academic Standards and the Correlation of the Library Information Literacy Standards, the Big 6 Model for Information and Technology Skills for Student Achievement, as well as Bible standards to compile a library media curriculum guide. Accountability comes in the form of the administration via lesson plans, observations, conferences, and performance appraisals.


 * Policies & Procedures: Emily states, "As the librarian, I set the policies and procedures we have in place as a result of previous experiences in other libraries -- public, academic, and elementary. A lot of the library policies and procedures were also influenced by the school's policies (library hours, class scheduling, etc.) I view the K-8 library as not only a media center but also a classroom for library instruction which sets the tone for some of the policies."


 * Collections: The library contains more than 15,000 books which includes a large collection of both fiction and non-fiction. A small reference section that houses numerous encyclopedias, dictionaries, and subject reference books also exists. During the past year, a small professional library for teachers has been added.


 * Time Management & Scheduling: We currently employ a fixed schedule with designated classroom time for all students in grades K-8. Each class in grades 1-8 meets weekly for check out and classroom instruction. Kindergartners meet only once per month for story time. In addition to the fixed classroom schedule, there are open library times throughout the day for students to return books, check out, and take A.R. tests. The administration sets the classroom schedule. In addition to teaching all students in the school, time must be made for collections management, lesson planning, assisting patrons, collaboration, and clerical tasks.


 * Facilities: The media center is housed on the first floor of the structure. It was a part of the renovation which occured in 2006. The library sits next door to the tech center and they are joined by a doorway. The center houses more than 15,000 books, has a small computer section, a reading and listening center, offices for the librarian and AR coordinator, a small professional library, and basic shelving. The circulation desk is at the front entrance of the library.


 * Human Resources: The library staff consists of a full-time librarian, a part time library coordinator, and a full-time A.R. coordinator. In addition, a volunteer program was begun in 1993 and has grown tremendously. There are numerous parent and community volunteers who assist with everything from shelving, check out, and cataloging.


 * Budget: A basic budget of $6,000 per year is set for purchasing library materials. In addition, bi-annual book fairs raise approximately $3,500.00 per year. Large capital needs are made out of the school's capital budget.


 * Advocacy: Promotion & Events: The library hosts two book fairs per year as well as a week-long National Children's Book Week. The school promotes events sponsored by the Evansville Area Reading Council and the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Libraries as well as participates in the Book-It Program, Reading Aces, and the Six Hour Reading Program. Semi-annually, the library hosts a Family Literacy Night to both entertain and introduce our families to what is available in our library. In addition, the Accelerated Reading Program hosts a yearly reading carnival.