Shelby County Schools - Department of Curriculum & Accountability

Laurie Butler, Instructional Specialist
Library Media Services and Textbooks

Each library in the Shelby County School system supports the instructional program of its school by providing materials to reinforce, enrich and extend classroom learning experiences. The librarian functions as a cooperative member of the teaching staff, a consultant on the use of materials and a teacher of those library skills which help students develop competency in the independent use of resources.

Shelby County Schools libraries play a vital role in developing a love of reading and in encouraging good, lifelong reading habits. To this end, the librarian seeks to balance curriculum with recreational needs by selecting books of high appeal, as well as those which will stretch students’ minds and stimulate them to further inquiry.

Shelby County Schools libraries establish an educational environment in which technology serves a major role, not only in the daily routine of a school library, but as an instructional part of the library program. Students have access to a variety of media resources to help them succeed in their learning and have opportunities to develop and foster computer skills to prepare for life’s experiences in a technological society.

Shelby County Schools libraries are also committed to the ideal of free flow of information and ideas and to a cooperative relationship with each other, as well as with other libraries in their communities.

LIBRARY MATERIALS

All Shelby County Schools Libraries meet state and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Standards.

Internet access is available in every library as well as access to information through CD-ROMs, DVDs, and laser discs.

Shelby County Schools provide funding on a per pupil ratio. Separate budgets are available for books, audiovisual software, encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers, and bindery items.

Each summer, a committee of libraries works to develop curriculum, process materials for the SCS Central Library, and complete special library projects for the upcoming school year.

MEDIA LIBRARY

Shelby County Schools maintains a Centralized Media Collection of approximately 7000 items. The majority are videos, laser discs, audio tapes, CD-ROMs and DVDs are also available.

Access is through SCS Media Library, an on-line catalog and booking service which allows teachers and administrators to select materials, check availability, and book the media themselves. The requests are processed, and items are sent through the Shelby County Schools’ daily delivery system.

Items for the Centralized Media Collection are evaluated and recommended by teachers and administrators who are given an opportunity each fall to volunteer, specifying their subject and grade level preferences. Items are sent to them throughout the school year to preview and evaluate. In the spring, their evaluation forms are used as a basis for purchase of new items.

PROFESSIONAL LIBRARY

A library of professional materials is located at the Central Office and available for teacher use. Holdings include professional journals, an updated collection of Phi Delta Kappan Fastbacks, and a limited number of professional books. Each school is provided with a list of the journals available so that teachers may request these items to be delivered to their school.

Trent McVay, Director
tmcvay@scsk12.org

901-321-2506

Intervention Programs are based on the premise that early response to learning, behavioral, and emotional problems can lead to better outcomes for students. Behavior intervention initiatives include, but are not limited to:

1. Prevention in the classroom

2. School-wide prevention

3. Individual intervention for students with emotional and conduct disorders

4. School-family-community linkages

Prevention strategies are built into the school’s foundation as part of the regular school program. These strategies are accessible to all students not only those students who qualify for special programs.

Alternative Schools are available to students who, because of violation of school, board, or federally mandated policies, must be removed from the mainstream for a specified period of time to a more restrictive environment. Life skills academics and counseling are the major components of this program.Homebound/Hospital Services are available to provide instruction while students are physically, medically, or mentally incapable of participation in the school setting. Placement in the

Homebound/Hospital Program should be viewed as a temporary intervention. The student’s medical or psychological disability must be verified by his/her attending physician or psychiatrist. Services are also provided on a temporary basis to an eligible child when the IEP Team has determined that this is the appropriate interim service for that child.

Susan Vaughn , Alternative School Specialist

svaughn@scsk12.org

901-321-2679