top of page

About the DHMS Library

Read about our library's vision & mission statements, our goals, a look at our facilities & resources, and the LMS annual review process.

DHMS Library/Media Center Vision:
Our vision is to empower the school community to be equipped and competent users of information with a passion for learning and literacy.

DHMS Library/Media Center Mission:
The DHMS library/media center is committed to equip the school community with 21st Century skills in order that they may have a positive impact on their community, country, and world.

Our Goals

GOAL #1:  COMMUNICATE REGULARLY WITH INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL IN ORDER TO DEVELOP CURRICULAR NEEDS BASED ON INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES AND INCREASED COLLABORATION

 

  • Use social media as a tool for communication (Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook).

  • Create and regularly post to a Media Center blog with features on tools and opportunities that may apply to them and their curriculum.

  • Attend individual meetings with departments/grade levels to discuss upcoming needs and ways that we can support them in their teaching.

GOAL #2:  PROVIDE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PARENTS IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THE USE AND UNDERSTANDING OF 21ST CENTURY SKILLS. 

  • Create podcasts and training tutorials on how to use technology

  • Train staff through tutorials, how-to instructional guides, and face-to-face classes

  • Use the blog and library website to feature different sites and technological tools

GOAL #3:  INCREASE ACCESS TO LIBRARY SPACE FOR ALL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS BY CREATING AN INVITING AND USABLE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

  • Update chess tables with glass tops to make tables usable for academic purposes.

  • Update walls with vibrant, stimulating decor to create a 21st Century learning atmosphere.

  • Create signage and online materials which will enable patrons to use materials more independently, thus increasing use of library resources.

Our Facilities and Resources

Located in the west wing of the school, the DHMS library serves the entire middle school population with one full-time librarian and one full-time library clerk. The library physical space includes a main area which contains tables for maker-space activities, the circulation desk, and the shelves holding our collections.  We also have one lab which is furnished with laptop computers in a cart dedicated for library use; this space also provides an overhead projector and pull-down screen for large-screen viewing.  Additionally, there is one master office used primarily by our head librarian, clerk, and volunteers, and a smaller room used by our IT Tech and for private instruction of students in small groups.  Within the librarian's office there is one large a/v storage closet as well as cabinets which are used for general storage.  A breakdown of the items available for use within our library follows:

  • Over 5,000 records or materials available for teacher and/or student check-out

  • 28 laptop computers dedicated for student use in the library

  • 3 desktop computers for sign-in and look-up of library materials

  • A tv with scrolling announcements in the main area of the library

  • 4 circular & square tables for classroom or group instruction in the main library area (up to 16 students)

  • 3 dedicated chess tables which can also be used with instructional tables (up to 12 students)

  • 8 large, rectangular tables for use with laptops or direct instruction

  • Available headsets for use by patrons

  • Office supplies (stapler, hole puncher, paper cutter, pencil sharpener...), & a copier/printer. 

  • A workroom (smaller office) with 8 student desks for one-on-one or small-group instruction

  • Equipped with updated, high-speed wi-fi

  • 10 charging stations for the electronic equipment of our patrons

  • An assortment of electronic equipment available for check-out which include digital cameras, Kindles, iPads, microphones, ELMOs, and Mobis.

  • 3 over-sized plush chairs for comfortable independent reading or conferencing

  • A makerspace with seating for 12 and a variety of activities including painting, tinkering (taking apart "dead" electronics), 3Doodling (3D drawing), sewing, lego construction, marble physics run, independent structure creation, origami, potholder making, scrapbooking, and more.

Library Media Specialist Annual Review Process

Each year the Library Media Specialist will take part in program- and self-evaluations in order to improve the workings of the library and increase effectiveness.  The philosophy, mission statement, and objectives will guide the evaluative process, and the following tools will be used to complete a thorough and objective evaluation of the LMS:
 

  • School Library Media Specialist Self-Evaluation

  • Administrative Performance Evaluation - the administrative team evaluates and meets with the LMS throughout the year and then for one final evaluation at the end of each school year to review successes and areas which may need improvement.

  • Student Evaluations - students will be given a link where they can complete a form in order to give feedback on how the LMS and facility has met their needs for the current year and ways in which improvement might be made.

  • Parent Evaluations - parents will be encouraged to give feedback through a link provided on the final blog post of the year.

  • Teacher Evaluations - teachers will be emailed a link in which they are asked to make suggestions of sources for the upcoming year, provide feedback on the services provided in the current year, and have the option to make comments and suggestions for improvements.

  • Library Staff Evaluation of the LMS - Library workers, parent volunteers AND student aides, will be asked to give feedback in regard to the role of the LMS and the school library in general.  They will be asked for feedback on ways to positively impact the library in the upcoming year.


The data collected from these sources will be used to analyze necessary changes for the upcoming school year.

bottom of page