Media+at+TJMS

 ** Eric Schoulda, Media Coordinator

**

The Media Center's collection of books, audiovisual and computer materials is an up-to-date collection: a recent comparison of middle school media center collections found it to be one of the newest in the school system, based on publication dates of materials. This year we are assessing the collection and making an unprecedented effort to acquire additional resources. We try to make our Media Center an inviting place for students and staff to read, research, study and think.

Resources/Materials available for student use include books, magazines, audiobooks, newspapers, reference materials, computers and curriculum-related software. Students may visit the Media Center with their classes. Small groups and individuals may also visit – always with a signature from a teacher in your agenda! The official hours of operation for the Media Center are from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM each day. Extended hours are available, and students sometimes work after school in the Media Center until 3:00 or 3:30 PM.
 * IMPORTANT**: **Any student who wishes to stay after school to study in the Media Center should bring two notes to Mr. Schoulda the day before: one from a teacher and one from a parent**. The teacher's note should mention what assignment the student will be working on. The note from the parent should clarify that the student has permission to stay after school, and that the student has a ride home.

Two books may be checked out at a time Be polite Loan period is ten school days Use quiet voices No checkouts with overdues Leave book bags elsewhere (notices will be sent to AA teachers) Share computer time (see your Must pay for lost or damaged books teacher or Mr. Schoulda before Check out at Circulation desk using a computer) Return items to book drop Clean up your work area Only check out for yourself Push in chairs
 * Borrowing materials** **Media Center Rules**


 * Readers in action.**



**Mr. Schoulda cradles a loved one.**



I am Eric Schoulda, the Media Coordinator at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Some of you may have already met me during the days when I worked in the Forsyth County Public Library. An important part of my job is collaborating with the teachers and staff at Jefferson to ensure that the students get the best education available. I especially enjoy working with students teaching information skills - the process of obtaining information effectively and efficiently. Dr. Jones once commended me for establishing the Media Center as a pleasant, welcoming place for teachers and students. I am not certain that I can accept all the credit for that praise, but it does please me to hear it! On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays Mrs. Cindy Argabright assists me in the Media Center. Her expertise is vital to keeping our Media Center running smoothly. She has worked in school libraries for a number of years, both as a media assistant and as a parent volunteer. I have been the Media Coordinator at Jefferson for several years now - the best middle school in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system. We have had wonderful test scores while I've been here, so there MUST be a correlation (work with me here)! In my time away from Jefferson I am an avid guitarist. I have a part-time job playing background music at a local restaurant several days a week.

The Media Center houses fourteen computers for student and faculty use. All of these can be used to access the Media Center's online catalog and the Internet.

. ..."due back in 2 weeks." We have one Hewlett Packard laser printer that is connected, via a network, to all the computers in the Media Center. One of our computers is dedicated to the video editing of our weekly TJTV video broadcast. This computer was a generous gift from the PTA. We use digital camcorders and sophisticated editing software to produce the program. TJTV is intended to be both educational and entertaining. We focus on what is happening at Jefferson as well as the world around us. In addition to computers, the Media Center is the control center for an integrated Bogen communication system that enables communication between the classrooms and throughout the school. A DVD player, laser disk player, CD player and eight VCRs can be programmed in the Media Center so that they can be remotely controlled from any classroom location in the school's two main buildings. The system also has the ability to broadcast live videocasts throughout the school from almost any location. Office equipment housed in the Media Center workroom includes a laminator, letter-making and binding machines, and a paper cutter - this last item was another gift from our generous PTA. **  Current Favorite Web Site:     ** Mr. Schoulda came across a great way to search for used books online (//lots of bargains here//). This site will be most helpful if there is one particular title that you are looking for – especially one that is out of print. Go To: http://dogbert.abebooks.com/abe/BookSearch

You can search by author, title, keyword and publisher. You will be presented with a list of sources (it searches the inventories of numerous bookstores worldwide – you can limit it to the U.S). This site permits you to sort your search results in several ways. For example, by "Newest," or (our personal fav.) "Lowest price." You can read a description of the book’s condition and instructions on how to purchase the book directly from the seller. The first step is usually emailing the store to verify that the book is still available. Give it a try!

// Silly quote:  // from comedian Emo Phillips - // Some mornings it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps. //  **- "What the Media Center Can Do for You and** **What You Can Do for the Media Center"**

**Signing Up**

The sign-up book will be located at the circulation desk. When you sign up to use the Media Center for research please specify your topic(s) so we will be better prepared to assist you. Because of the high demand, we ask that you limit your sign-ups for research to two days in a row and up to three times per quarter. It is recommended that Communication Skills classes sign up for check out regularly.

**Assignment Tips**

Creating assignments which use the Media Center’s resources and the Internet can be rewarding, both for students and teachers. Research assignments create opportunities for students to develop evaluative and higher-order thinking skills. There are many sources in the Media Center which will help you design research assignments on a wide variety of topics. I will be happy to collaborate with you in creating assignments and lessons utilizing the many resources available in our Media Center. Assisting in planning and preparing materials is an integral part of my job.

**Media Passes**

If you anticipate a need to send a small group of students to the Media Center, please try to schedule them in the sign-up book. Signed-up groups will be given priority over "walk-ins" if space becomes an issue. If you do send individual students or small groups to the Media Center, please remember to sign their agendas with the time they left your class and with the time you would like them to return. We will sign indicating the time that they leave. If students just need to quickly return or check out a book, we recommend the first few minutes of first period or the last few minutes before the dismissal bell rings. Because there are a limited number of computers and they are used as search stations by the signed-up class, there is no guarantee that your students will be able to use the computers if you send them here with a pass. Whatever your needs or your students’ needs, please discuss these with us. We will make every effort to help you in any way possible.

**Borrowing Rules**

Students will be allowed to check out two books for a period of ten school days. Overdue notices will be distributed regularly through the Communication Skills classes. Students may not check out a book if they have any overdue materials. Students are financially responsible for any lost or damaged materials that they have checked out. Teachers are allowed ten checkouts for a period of twenty school days. Carts of books will not be checked out to classrooms. This will decrease our number of losses and also permit students to receive the full benefits of using the facility. Too many books have been lost when checked out to a teacher on a classroom cart, and it is difficult to replace these materials.

**After School Hours**

Students are welcome to use our Media Center after school as long as they work on a specific school-related project. I can usually extend the regular hours until 3:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students must come with two notes: one from a teacher briefly describing what school project they will be working on, and one from a parent clarifying that a ride home will be available when the student is finished.

Equipment Available in the Media Center Certain pieces of equipment are stored in the Media Center and are available for use. The laminator, letter cutter, and bookbinder are in the back room. Please ask for help if you are not sure how to use any of these items. The closed-circuit video system is also located in the Media Center. I request that you give me at least a day's notice when you want a video to be shown. I will let you know which channel you will be using when you show a video through the Bogen system. No special permission is needed when showing a video obtained from the Media Center. All other videos must be approved by the Principal or a Vice-Principal – please complete the form "Use of Videos During Instructional Time." Blank forms are in the folder labeled "Sheets for Videos" in the Media Center workroom. IMPORTANT: video forms must be completed and submitted to me for EVERY video that you show to students, even those that you show with a VCR located in your classroom. Keep in mind that we adhere to copyright laws and regulations.

**Broken Equipment** If you have broken equipment, please find a repair tag in the workroom – see the folder labeled "AV Equipment Repair Tickets." Fill out all three parts as completely as possible. Make sure that you put your name and room number on all the parts of the ticket. Attach (tape) the ticket to the item and bring the item to the front office and place it near the interoffice mailbag. Remember to hold on to your part of the ticket until your item is returned.

**Suggesting Materials for Purchase** When you observe needs or gaps in the materials we have in the Media Center, please let us know in writing. When/if funds become available, we will try to order these materials for you. Please be as specific as possible in your request (title, author, isbn #’s, etc.). We are happy to purchase print and reference materials from our budget. When staff purchase materials for the Media Center we utilize our.

**Media Advisory Committee** This committee functions on the premise that a strong and integrated media program is the joint responsibility of the entire school community. Its responsibilities and duties will vary depending on current issues and concerns. Quarterly meetings are called by the Media Coordinator.

**Bits and Pieces** We have a lot of wonderful display space available in the Media Center. Please consider lending curriculum-related knick knacks and appropriate student work to the facility. //Thanks for visiting the Media Center's Web site. Please come visit us at school - we look forward to assisting you in any way we can!//