Planning A System-Level School Library Media Day

This information was developed by Barbara Booker and Gladys Pannell for the Virginia Educational Media Association' Awesome; School Library Media Day, 1986. The information is still relevant.

A School Library Media Day committee should be appointed at the system-level as soon as possible. Planning needs to begin immediately. The committee should include the media supervisor/coordinator, school library media specialists and persons such as parents, students, the community schools coordinator, media coordinators, principals, system supervisors or instructional directors. Responsibility of the committee would include planning, coordinating all publicity, and assisting building-level personnel in planning activities and making contacts.

Reaching the Public

Objectives

1. To inform the community of various aspects of school library media programs.

2. To involve students and school media personnel in community-wide activities.

Activities

At the Mall

Plan a system-level library media exhibit/demonstration at a central location such as the local shopping mall, bank, public library, chamber of commerce or other public area.

Procedures

1. Decide on an area and contact appropriate person in charge to make arrangements.
2. Plan display. Suggestions include:

a. Slide/tape presentation of the library media programs in the system.

b. Photographs of media activities.

c. Students demonstrating the use of video equipment, compters, etc.

d. Student productions

e. Student art work depicting books

f. Media coordinators or librarians telling stories

g. Students and or media professionals giving puppet shows

h. Special projects of student library clubs

i. Examples of new books

j. Conduct interviews with local personalities about favorite books they read while in school

k. If a system-level contest is held, display pictures of school winners and grand prize winners, ex. Virginia's Student Media Festival

l. Provide handouts such as suggested reading lists for different

age groups, gift books, statistical data on school libraries in the system

3. Plan for area to be attractively decorated and properly identified.

a. Students and adults assisting with display could be dressed

as book characters. This will attract visitors.

b. Use display panels or portable bulletin boards

c. Use balloons and mobiles

d. Use student art work

4. Designate a person to man display and to dismantle and clean area.

5. Don't forget to write a letter of thanks for use of the area.

NOTE: If an elaborate display/exhibit at a mall is not possible, think in terms of a week-long display at a bank, public library or some other public area to inform the public about school library media programs.

Facts in Print

Prepare a brochure giving statistical data about library media centers in the system. Facts to include might be:

1. Number of books and other materials per child

2. Types of available resources

3. Budget information

4. Examples of activities

5. Brief statement explaining the program

Telling the Library Story

Prepare a slide/tape or video presentation for presenting the library media programs to the school board, county commissioners, PTO's, local school advisory committees, and civic clubs. [Perhaps your local community TV professionals would be willing to help]

Getting Ready

Arrange for students to make bookmarks ahead about "The Day." Include logo and information about School Library Media Day. Distribute at local book stores, public libraries, college libraries, drug stores and other local businesses where reading materials are bought or borrowed. Each school should be responsible for supplying bookmarks to sites in their areas.

A Time for Parents

Offer a parent workshop on sharing stories; games and other techniques to use when helping children with reading skills; hobbies and pets for children; books for home purchase; introduction to computers or computer software; evaluating television programs and examining viewing habits of children; and reviewing most popular books of students. Enlist the help of teachers, supervisors, and specialists in the system.

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