1. School Library Media Program Comparison
Observations and Interviews
conducted by
Christine Caruso

2. College Gardens Elementary Media Center Rockville, MD

3. College Gardens Overview
Student population: 800 students
Students to teacher ratio: 27 to 1
Media Center Budget: $7,000
Media Center Overview:
-One full time media specialist with a assistant
-Flex scheduling for research with fixed weekly and biweekly lessons for all grades
-A large facility with:
10,000 titles in the collection
6 computer stations and a full lab
Online Database Collection
Fiction/nonfiction/periodicals/ reference/resource sections
-an instructional section with promethean board along with a separate story time section
College Gardens Overview

4. Collaboration, Cooperation & Coordination
“I try hard to collaborate with teachers. There are some cases in which we show true collaboration for research projects. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I feel that most of my work falls within cooperation & coordination.” –Cyndi K. (SLMS)
2nd & 5th grade teams: full collaboration for research
K, 1st grade & 4th grade: cooperation with curriculum
3rd grade and specialists: coordination of materials

5. Our Lady of Good Counsel High School A private Catholic school in Olney, MD

6. OLGCS Demographics Student population: 1,283
Student to teacher ratio: 20 to 1
Media Center Budget: $25,000 +
Media Center Overview:
One full time media specialist and a full time assistant
Fiction/nonfiction/periodicals/ religion/reference sections
Computer hubs on both sides of the center along with study carols, tables and a promethean board
Extensive Online Database collection
Two full class size computer labs
Lounge area with plush chairs
OLGCS Demographics

7. Collaboration at OLGCS?
“Most teachers are not open to full collaboration with me. However, I do support the curriculum by pulling materials for classes and creating libguide webpages for their use…
I also instruct the staff and students on how to use the databases for research and give input on certain project requirements.”
–Marybeth (SLMS)

8. Beltsville Academy: K-8 public school in Beltsville, MD
Beltsville is split between two buildings: An elementary facility and a middle school facility. Both share the same media center.

9. Beltsville Overview Student Population: 1,068
Student to Teacher Ratio: 22 to 1
Media Center Budget: $1,200
Media Center Overview:
-One full time media specialist
-Fixed scheduling for K-5
-Some flex hours for 6-8 research
-A smaller center with projector screen, story time area, 6 tables, 3 computers
- 15,000 Fiction/nonfiction/Black- eyed Susan /reference sections
-Online database collection
-Faculty room attached to media center
Beltsville Overview

10. Coordination…
“Due to my schedule, I don’t have much free time to meet with staff. I do pull materials for them, and plan instruction to match the curriculum content.”
-MaryBeth B.
*Fixed schedule:
Weekly lessons with K-5
*Flexible time:(Thursday pm)
Media support for 6-8
Research

11. What are the main differences in these media programs?
Budget amounts
Collaboration
Scheduling (fixed vs. flexible)
Staffing allocations
Size of media center
Collection Materials

12. Reasons for the differences:
Private vs. public schools
Montgomery vs. Prince George’s County
Schedules set by SLMS or by administration
Staffing set by county or by school administration
Budget set by county which influences collection development, technology etc
Planning time & rapport with staff varies, which affects collaboration

13. An Effective School Library Media Specialist (AASL, 2009):
Collaborates & shares knowledge
with staff
Has a well developed instructional program aligned with the common core and 21st century standards
Teaches students how to locate, select and evaluate materials

14. An Effective School Library Media Specialist (AASL, 2009):
Is a School Leader and an Advocate of their program
Maintains a well developed collection of print, non-print and online materials
Continues Professional Development as a lifelong learner

15. Finally, My Ideal Library…
Has a full-time assistant supporting the SLMS
Allows for flexible scheduling for instruction, collaboration & assessment Contains a well developed collection with a variety of equipment
A reasonable budget to meet the needs of my students and staff

16. References
American Association of School Librarians. (2009). Empowering learners: Guidelines for school
library media programs. Chicago: American Association of School Librarians, a division of
the American Library Association.
Bauernschub, M. (2012). Beltsville Academy Website. Retrieved from:
Kelly, C. (2012) College Gardens Elementary Website. Retrieved from:
Milcetich, M. (2012) Our Lady of Good Counsel Website. Retrieved from: