Media Center Visit: Holcomb Bridge MS

This past week I visited Ellen Reagin, the media specialist at Holcomb Bridge MS. She was kind enough to pass on a book that she had found helpful in the past - Library 101: A Handbook for the School Library Media Specialist. It's divided into four sections and discusses a range of topics from equipment to day-to-day basics.

During our meeting, she gave me a tour of the media center and discussed her role within the school. I was amazed at how spacious it looked despite not being that much bigger than the media center at my school. It might have to do with the way shelves and furniture was laid out as well as better lighting. Much of the lighting in the back of my library relies on the natural light, so if it's a rainy day, the media center quickly looks like welcoming.

Her role often consists of working with teachers when they want to incorporate technology into their lessons. For example, when I first arrived, I found Mrs. Reagin and a sixth grade teacher working with the students to type their first paper. She was helping a student figure out how to format or change the font. Mrs. Reagin discussed with me that she'll often host power lunches with teachers to show them how to use a new tool. I believe this dialogue will help teachers feel less afraid to use newer technology, or believe that it might not have a place in their classroom, such as a math class.

While our roles differed in that she does not teach specific technology classes, I also noticed that she has a small of team of helpers in the form of a clerk and volunteers. The media clerk is responsible for much of the processing, volunteer training, and lamination repair. The IT guy has an office near the back of the library for what appears to be easy access to solve issues or talk with teachers and staff.

Overall, the visit was very helpful and provided some ideas I might use at my media center. For example, she gave me a form she uses when younger students want to read the more "young adult" themed books, such as Hunger Games. Although her school is just middle school, I have some 4th and 5th graders who are ready (or think they're ready) for the books we've designated as for middle schoolers. I would like to adapt the form she has so that I can have a record of parent permission before I let the student check out a book.