Jolly
Library Media Center
Dian Kuutti, Certified Library Media Specialist/Teacher-Librarian
Nancy Crawford, Library Media Clerk
Mission Statement: As part of lifelong learning and achievement,
our mission is to foster a love of reading by providing a resource
center
that supports a world class education.
It is a privilege to serve the many diverse needs of our school
community through the Jolly Library Media Center. Our students
are eager learners in the library, as evidenced by their interest
in checking out books (over 30,000 books during 2003-2004). In
addition, they show attentive participation during collaborative
and literacy lessons, a great spirit of inquiry during research
projects, and a general enthusiasm for coming to the library for
a variety of purposes.
The school community is encouraged to make the library a hub for
learning, taking advantage of a flexible schedule/access to accommodate
multiple needs and services at once. At any given time, there
may be small groups of students in the library for independent
activities, a class in attendance for a lesson or story, a teacher(s)
selecting instructional resources, a community member reading
the newspaper, a parent meeting in a corner, etc. In a practical
sense, this adds depth and breadth to our student’s learning
experiences, especially as we collaborate together to this end.
It also adds to a culture of reading and learning in our school,
which is a great motivator toward lifelong learning and achievement.
We are committed to developing individual potential in all areas
of our school and work to fulfill and support our mission through
the library program. As teachers implement the curriculum and
engage our services for instruction at the point of need, we take
time to collaborate together to create an effective library experience
for our students. We discuss the QCC objective(s) to be addressed/assessed
at each lesson, and build a creative plan for instruction using
the library as a “learning lab” for practical experiences.
Many students express eagerness and appreciation for these unique,
collaboratively taught lessons.
We are actively involved in building the Indicators for Success
here at Jolly through planned learning activities in the library.
Some of the programs we facilitate or support include DeKalb R.E.A.D.S.
– the Balanced Approach to Literacy, the Georgia Book Award
program, the 25 Books Campaign, literacy lessons, research lessons,
Accelerated Reader, and other components of our school plan for
individual success.
There are many roles for the teacher librarian that relate to
library administration, including maintaining and building the
collection using appropriate funds judiciously while seeking input
from faculty, students, and parents. The Library Media/Technology
Committee assists in planning so that the needs of the school
are heard and addressed in this and many other areas. The physical
collection of materials contains approximately 13,360 books and
instructional materials, and is being upgraded continuously with
an eye toward becoming a Blue Ribbon library in the years to come.
In summary, we provide a focused program in support of our county
and school mission and school improvement plan. It is inherent
in our role to support each and every student on the road to individual
achievement and lifelong learning in order to become a vital,
contributing member of society.