Cheraw Primary School
Memorandum to Principal
To: Mrs. Little
From: Shakeeka Redfearn
Dear Mrs. Little,
I had the opportunity to evaluate the CPS media center
using the 2016 Judy Serritella Exemplary Library Media Program
Self-Evaluation Rubric. After studying the rubric and
completing the evaluation, I would consider us to be exemplary
in 11 areas, Proficient in 6 and basic in 4. As a relatively new
media specialist/librarian, it was really tough to choose a
“basic” category. However, transparency is what sometimes
helps us grow.
The media center supports the school’s reading program
with its 18:1 book to student ratio, it is utilized greatly by
teachers and students for informational text research projects,
and the technology infrastructure is steadily growing, with
access to online resources anytime for students and staff. Our
bi-monthly district library meetings allows me to collaborate
with other librarians so that I may effectively address the needs
of my patrons. The budget is spent appropriately, and all funds
are used to support 21st Century learning. Meeting the needs
of our patrons is made possible due to my full-time position and
the assistance of a paraprofessional. This is imperative in
assuring the library runs smoothly.
During the completion of the rubric, I realized there are
some areas that could use some improvement: assessment of
student achievement, lack of a media advisory committee,
absence of a written library media policy, and allocated funds.
This rubric has allowed me to hone in on areas of need,
and will help guide me for the future and growth of our library
media center.
Thank you,
Shakeeka Redfearn
Action Steps-
Basic:
Area 6 – Student achievement is routinely assessed.
Student achievement within the classroom is typically
independently assessed by the teacher. To move from basic to
proficient, more collaboration and assessment rubrics could be
completed with classroom teachers. This would also allow
students to see the involvement of me, as their librarian, across
curriculums.
Area 18 - Each local board of education shall adopt a
library media policy that provides for the establishment
of a media committee at the system level and at each
school. A library media committee makes
recommendations and decisions relating to planning,
operation, evaluation, and improvement of the library
media program. This committee shall annually evaluate
library media services and develop a multi-year media
plan for budget services and priorities.
Our district currently does not have an established media
committee. As indicated with Area 19, this could be moved
from basic to proficient by involving school librarians during the
semi-monthly librarians’ meetings. This would ensure
consistency throughout the district.
Area 19 - Local Board approved library media policy is
current. This policy requires development of procedures
for the school system and for selecting materials locally,
handling requests for reconsideration of materials,
considering gifts of instructional resources, using non-
school owned materials, and complying with the
copyright law
There is no written library media policy for CPS or any other
school within our district. Librarians handle fines and the
consideration of gifts differently at each school. Working
collaboratively with all district media specialists during semi-
monthly meetings to develop a written media policy may
prompt the district to maintain it as well. This could move Area
19 from basic to proficient.
Area 20 - Each local school system shall spend 100
percent of the funds designated for library media center
costs.
Although 100% of funds are spent, decisions on the amount of
funds allocated to libraries throughout the district does not
involve school librarians. The district could involve school
librarians as a resource for the budget committee. This will
allow committee members to see and hear first hand the
importance of an updated physical and digital library collection.
This could move area 20 from basic to proficient.
Proficient:
Area 13 - Print and non-print resources and access to
online information are basic to a library media program.
A school network is effective for delivering media
resources to the classroom and beyond. Multiple
computers are available for student access to online
resources that enhance instruction.
Students utilize resources in the library often. However, they
do not utilize online subscription databases outside of school as
much as they do when they are in school. Area 13 could be
moved to proficient by reminding students of the SCDISCUS
resources available to them and modeling how they may safely
access it independently, with little to no assistance from an
adult. SCDISCUS is the SC version of Galileo.
