1. Facilities Improvement Plan
Pamela Tyson
FRIT 7132
November 30, 2011

2. About the WCES Media Center
 Constructed in 1999
 Title I School
 10 Consecutive Years Meeting A.Y.P.
 90 Staff Members
 850 Students
 Pre-K through Fifth Grade
 PACE and Jump Start Programs
 One Full Time Media Specialist
 One Full Time Media Clerk

3. Original Media Center Floor Plan
The WCES MC is considered the “heart” of WCES. It is centrally located at the front of
the school. Information literacy is taught on a daily basis through the use of student
specials. Faculty and students have access to it’s technological and literary resources.

4. Pros and Cons
Positive Attributes Negative Attributes
 Large area with areas  Front entrance access is
dedicated to specific blocked to students and
functions faculty due to doors being
 Allows for 2-3 classes to locked
utilize MC simultaneously  Minimal traffic flow options
 All areas are easily supervised  “Flexible” Schedule is actually
due to high visibility fixed due to specials rotations
 Media Clerk also has M. Ed.  Some shelf and floor spaces
and is a retired MS are not being used at all

5. Environmental Elements
 Color themes are non-existent
 Teacher Resource room is under utilized due to
location
 Laminator room is dedicated to a sole laminating
machine, limiting the multi-purpose potential of
valuable square footage
 Check In and Check Out stations are self serve
 Lighting is strictly florescent, non conducive to high
population density of autistic and special needs
students

6. Furnishings
 Monochromatic “wood” and gray color schemes on all
furnishings
 No soft seating
 No work or study space available for student use or teacher
collaboration
 Computers are centrally located and may be occupied by a
specials class
 Markers are hard to locate and read
 Character silhouettes hanging from ceiling and tree
silhouettes can be viewed as “scary” by younger students

7. Technology
 Teacher work room is equipped with two copiers, often
malfunctioning
 A/V Room is located in another area of the building
 Ample laptops are available for student use in the MC
 Each teacher is provided with an iPad for class
 Three projection screens or Smart Boards are available
for lessons in the MC

8. Access
 Students are prohibited from using the two doors at
the front entrance of the MC. The back double doors
are the only unlocked entrance and exit points
accessible to students and faculty.
 The teacher work room is often inaccessible because
the MC is locked after student hours
 Laminator is only available two days per week
 Students have to walk around computers and media
carts to enter the MC

9. Main Entrance Views
Facing the front of the MC Facing the back of the MC

10. Self Serve
Check Out Check In

11. Decorations
“Scary” Ceiling and Walls Monochromatic Furniture

12. Soft Seating
Table Options The Alternative

13. Book Sections
Reference Biography

14. Book Sections
Fiction Non Fiction

15. Student Stations
Computer Station Catalog Station

16. Revised Media Center Floor Plan
The new WCES MC offers a more inviting environment. Furnishings provide a variety
of purposes such as individual support groups, small groups, and collaboration areas.
Side rooms have been restructured to support a study hall, machine room, teacher
resource room and a class/faculty meeting room.

17. Modifications and Changes
Student Influences Staff Influences
 “A quiet place to think when I  “What, we have a Title I Resource Room.
read.” ~ Study Hall Where’s that?” ~Relocation and new design
for Title I and teacher resource room
 “I just want to get comfy.” ~
 “It just feels crowded. You can’t even just
Soft, portable seating walk in the door and take your class where
 “It looks boring and kind of you want. You have to go around everything
scary in there.” ~ Colorful else first!” ~ Traffic flows cleared at front
plants, furniture, seating, shelvi and rear entrances
ng, and rugs  “I’d love to take my whole class in there.
But, they just can’t stay focused with all of
 “You know, we aren’t always
the distractions.” ~ Addition of Quiet
playing when we talk. Class/Meeting Room
Sometimes we are actually
 “I mean just because she goes home at
working on our stuff.”~ Group 4:30, doesn’t mean I get to.” ~ Longer access
collaboration areas hours for faculty needs

18. Improved Environmental Elements
 Modern, colorful book shelves and seating
 Soft and welcoming collaboration areas
 Machine room with extended access hours
 Addition of study hall, quiet class rooms, and
collaborations areas
 Reference, biography, and computer work stations
relocated to the “quieter” nonfiction side
 Literacy activities area with dedicated Smart Screen
 Walls repainted and decorated with student artwork. Each
wall is dedicated to a certain grade level that is
“commissioned” for the month.

19. Improved Furnishings
 Brightly colored book shelves in the fiction area
 Soft seating that may be relocated by students
 Addition of conference style tables and office desks
 Computers are still centrally located for class
work, however additional computers can now be
accessed for individual work in other areas of the
media center
 Graphics added to Dewey decimal system for easier
understanding

20. Technology
 Teacher work room is cleared of machines to make
room for collaboration and resource materials
 A/V Room remains located in another area of the
building
 Additional laptops are purchased for student use
 “How To” classes are held on Web 2.0 technologies on
a quarterly basis
 Vending machines are added to the machine room

21. Access
 Students and teachers may now enter from front or
rear with no obstacles in the traffic flow
 Access hours for teacher resource and work rooms are
extended
 Laminator is accessible on a daily basis in the machine
room

22. Perfecting Media Center Policies
Current Policies in Need of Updating or Revisions and Possible Solutions
 The classroom teacher will maintain responsibility for the
entire class during visits to the media center and will
participate in delivery of instruction to meet the purpose of the
visit as needed (p. 15) Administration needs to enforce this
district policy so that the MS will be able to operate on a truly
flexible schedule.
 Due to the complicated nature of technology hardware and
software, it is strongly suggested that the media specialist
contact the Technology Department prior to placing any such
purchases (p. 44). Media Specialist should be allowed to
purchase certain types of technology hardware and software with
prior approval from administration. However, it is still
advisable to contact the Technology Department so as not to
duplicate or interfere with efforts in place.

23. Additions to Policies
 Several additions that are specific to the Media Center may
be necessary to accomplish a more complete
P & P Manual.
 Mission and Vision Statement
 Goals and Objectives
 Help and Other Resources
 Suggested Hours of Operation for Students and Faculty
 Suggested Compensation of Overtime for School Functions
 Personnel required are at least one full time MS and one
full time Media Clerk