LCMS Library Media Program Self-Evaluation Rubric

To:

Heath Crane, Principal LCMS

From:

Amanda Sikes, Media Specialist

Subject:

School Library Media Program Evaluation

Date:

September 3, 2015

The current Media Specialist, Misty McCarn and I recently evaluated our school library media
center. We used a rubric from GLMA & GLA called the 2015 Judy Serritella Exemplary Library
Media Program Self-Evaluation Rubric. This rubric has three ratings: Basic, Proficient, and
Exemplary. There are also six different categories included on the rubric: Student Achievement
and Instruction; Technology; Staffing; Facilities, Access and Resources; Administrative Support;
and Staff Development. The rubric has 21 different statements that relate to the categories
mentioned above. The good news is that our media center did not score any ratings in the
category of basic. We had four questions in the proficient level and seventeen questions in the
exemplary level. Overall, it seems our school media center is in great condition to start off the
new school year. I have attached a copy of the rubric to this memo so that you can see a listing of
the 21 statements.
Since we do have four categories that are rated as proficient, I have designed an action plan for
each statement to try to bring it into exemplary status for this school year.
8. The school library media specialist integrates the use of emerging technologies as a means for
effective and creative teaching and to support P-12 students conceptual understanding, critical
thinking and create processes.
Where we are now- Proficient: The school library media specialist directs teachers and
students in the conventional use of technology tools. She encourages adaptation of
technology by allowing students to select a tool and modify its use to accomplish the
task. She integrates emerging technologies into instruction that reinforce the skills,
dispositions, responsibilities and self-assessments in AASL Standards for the 21st-Century
Learner and state standards that support student achievement. She often recommends
technology tools to enhance instruction.
Where we want to be- Exemplary: The school library media specialist cultivates a rich
learning environment where the blending choice of technology tools with studentinitiated investigations or projects across any content area is promoted. She integrates
emerging technologies into a variety of instructional strategies to support the diverse
learning styles, interests, and ability of all students to inquire, think critically, and gain
and create knowledge. Integration of these technologies also reinforces the skills and selfassessments in AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner and Georgia state standards
that support student achievement. She constantly recommends technology tools to
enhance instruction and is building leader modeling technology integration.
How can we get there- Action Plan: The media specialist will initiate collaboration with
all teachers in the school. She will work to promote cross-content projects that utilize

technology and Web 2.0 tools. The media specialist will provide curated content specific
lists as needed for teacher projects and instruction. The media specialist will also provide
a curated list of technology tools for instruction and this list will be updated consistently
as new tools become available for use. The media specialist will encourage critical
thinking skills and also teach ethical use of information so that the students using the
media center can be 21st century learners.
15. One of the national educational technology goals states Effective and engaging software and
on-line resources will be an integral part of every schools curriculum. The GALILEO Virtual
Library provides Georgia students and teachers access to exceptional on-line resources at no cost
to the local school district.
Where we are now- Proficient: Instruction and promotion of GALILEO will be in an
organized manner and conducted on a frequent basis. Students, faculty, and staff will be
given instruction and professional development in the use of GALILEO.
Where we want to be- Exemplary: Instruction and promotion of GALILEO will be in an
organized manner and conducted on a frequent basis. Searches will be administered and
taught in such a way that maximize efficiently and result in a high quality product. Best
practices and learning models that encourage and endorse GALILEO will be produced,
taught, and shared with other Library Media Specialists throughout the state. The Library
Media Specialist conducts staff development classes with the faculty and staff. The
faculty and staff will take advantage of the online courses and lessons available through
GALILEO.
How can we get there-Action Plan: The School Library Media Specialist will organize
and teach each homeroom class about GALILEO. She will show them how to access
GALILEO, how to use the research options, and how to get all of the benefits of the
program. She will also make GALILEO a shortcut icon on all of the computers in the
media center to help promote the use of it for research. The Media Specialist will reach
out to other media specialists in the state through the use of organizational webinars,
blogs, or chat rooms to collaborate on what they are doing to promote GALILEO within
their media centers. The media specialist will also make posters that promote GALILEO
and hang them around the computers inside the media center. The media specialist will
also organize multiple professional development opportunities to help the faculty and
staff understand GALILEO and the benefits of student use. In addition, all faculty and
staff will be required to complete at least one of the online course/lessons available
through GALILEO.
20. Each local school system shall spend 100 percent of the funds designated for library media
center costs. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-167)
Where we are now-Proficient: The library media program budget exceeds the minimum
state allocation. Local funding supplements state allocation.
Where we want to be-Exemplary: The Library Media Specialist, with guidance from the
library media advisory committee, is a partner with school and district administrators in
planning the media budget. Long-range strategic planning and supplemental funding
plans are made cooperatively, and can include bond issues, grants, school fundraising,
and business partnerships to supplement the budget.

How can we get there-Action Plan: The first plan of action is to form a media advisory
committee. This committee will be in charge of partnering with the administrators at the
school and district level to plan a media budget. With input from the media specialist, the
budget can be improved to better fund the needs of the media center. A needs assessment
will be completed each year and long-range goals will be set for the media center. The
media specialist will also work with the community to find local businesses to donate
funds for library use. Multiple school fundraisers will be planned including book fairs,
school stores, and AR snack sales. The media specialist will also apply for various
applicable grants to get extra funding to supplement the budget.

21. Staff development opportunities are available both for the library media staff to enhance their
own professional knowledge and for the library media staff to provide information and
technology literacy skills to other teachers and administrative staff. Professional resources and
services for all faculty members are provided in the library media center for the learning
community.
Where we are now-Proficient: Library Media Specialist seeks to enhance her professional
skills, particularly technology skills, beyond those required for recertification or by the
school district. Library Media Specialist provides occasional formal staff development
instruction and informal instruction during collaborative planning with teachers. They
school system makes staff development options available for the library media support
staff. The Library Media Specialist is knowledgeable of the district professional
development services.
Where we want to be-Exemplary: Library Media Specialist continually seeks to enhance
her professional, particularly technology skills. The Library Media Specialist, when
funding permits, also participates annually in state or national conferences. She is
included in planning the staff development program for the school staff and assists in
teaching and organizing sessions. She is recognized as a master teacher and provides staff
development options beyond routine planning by providing a formal needs assessment to
determine staff development needs of the faculty and designing formal courses to address
those needs. She draws on professional resources both at the local and district levels and
online to provide individual assistance to teachers using technology and designing
curriculum. She may also assist the teacher in his/her graduate research and secure
professional resources for them through interlibrary loan.
How can we get there-Action Plan: The media specialist will try to attend as many
complimentary webinars on using technology for instruction as possible. If funding is
available, she will also attend state media conferences. She will also attend a media
showcase located in Liberty County. The media specialist will be involved in all aspects
of professional development to make sure that appropriate use of technology is promoted
and demonstrated to the staff. The media specialist will survey the staff each 9 week
period to determine their needs for technology and media and then design appropriate
instruction based on the results of the survey. The media specialist will be an asset to all
faculty and staff and help find professional resources for use when needed.
Over the next year, the school library media specialist will be working hard to carry out the four
action plans listed above. It is important to move our media center into exemplary status in all of
the 21 categories listed on the rubric. If you have any suggestions or feedback based on our

plans, please email Misty McCarn, LCMS School Media Specialist.