1. By: Elisa Long
PHS Instructional Technologist
MEDIA CENTER FACILITY PLAN

2. PICKENS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
500 DRAGON DR.
JASPER, GEORGIA 30143

3. PICKENS COUNTY SCHOOLS MISSION STATEMENT
We will educate our students in a
safe, nurturing, and fiscally
responsible environment that holds
high expectations for all students.

4. PHS BELIEF STATEMENT
We believe . . .
 Student learning is the primary goal of the school.
 Students' learning needs should be the primary focus of all decisions
affecting the school.
 Parents, students, educators, school board and councils, and the entire
community are responsible for implementing and achieving the school's
goals.
 Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional
and intellectual needs and may require special services or resources.
 A safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning.
 A student's self-esteem is enhanced through developing and sharing
mutual respect among students and staff.
 Challenging expectations and a supportive environment increase
individual student performance.
 Students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning
process.
 All students can learn, achieve and succeed when provided
developmentally appropriate learning activities.
 Cultural diversity increases student understanding of different people and
cultures.

5. PICKENS COUNTY SCHOOLS MOTTO
“Graduation For
All”

6. Pickens High School Motto
“PURSUING HIGHER STANDARDS”

7. PICKENS HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
 Pickens High School is the only high school in Pickens
County. We have a student population of 1198 as of
November 1st, 2010 .
 There are 183 certified and non-certified staff at Pickens
High School.
 The school was built in 1999.
 Pickens High School is approximately 260,000 square feet.
The Media Center takes up approximately 3,500 of that
square footage.

8. CAMPUS LOCATION OF MEDIA CENTER
The PHS Media Center is
located on the 2nd Floor of the
main campus building.

9. PHS MEDIA CENTER MISSION
The Pickens High School
Media Center is to be used
to broaden a students’ base
of knowledge, to
supplement classroom
activities, to enhance
information access skills, to
assist in the promotion of
reading and literacy for
academic purposes and
pleasure.

10. THE PHS MEDIA CENTER CURRENTLY
INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
 2200 square feet open floor space filled by computers, book
shelves, and work areas.
 Three study rooms with round table and chairs.
 One commons area with couch and seat.
 One periodical area near commons area.
 One circulation desk area.
 Two equipment and materials storage closets.
 One kitchenette.
 One set of eight cubicals housing the card catalog computers.
 Two offices currently occupied by Media Specialist and Instructional
Technologist.
 One conference room with elongated table and chairs.

11. PHS MEDIA CENTER CURRENT DATA
 The PHS Media Center houses
approximately 19,000 books in its collection.
 During the month of September, there were
1,007 Media Center transactions.
 The average weekly number of transactions
is 250.
 There were 64 teacher supervised class
visits to the Media center during the first
quarter.

12. PHS MEDIA CENTER STUDENT ACTIVITY
PHS Student Patron Activity - 1st Quarter
Number of Student Checkouts
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Week Ending Dates

13. PHS MEDIA CENTER POLICIES
 The PHS Media Center is open from 7:30 am until
4:00 pm Monday through Friday whenever school is
in session.
 Students may visit the Media Center before and after
school and during breaks, but are to remain with their
classes during lunch unless their teacher has written
them a MC pass.
 Students may visit the Media Center during class
time only if their teacher has written them a MC pass.
 A teacher may bring a class to the Media Center only
if they have scheduled class time prior to the visit
utilizing the Media Center scheduling book.

14. PHS MEDIA CENTER POLICIES
 The Media Center provides Internet access to as
many as thirty students simultaneously by use of
desktop and laptop computers via LAN and wireless
connectivity.
 All computers have print capability.
 Students are required to pay for prints at the time
they print. ($.25 per page of color print, and $.05 per
page of black and white print)
 The Media Center restricts Internet access to those
students who have, on file in the Media Center, a
User Agreement and Parent Permission Form
properly filled out, signed, and dated. These forms
are available in the Media Center and Front Office.

15. PHS MEDIA CENTER POLICIES
 Students must sign in upon entering the Media
Center during the school day and also sign out
when exiting.
 Expectations for student conduct are posted
clearly throughout the Media Center. Students
must adhere to all disciplinary rules contained in
the PHS Code of Conduct while in the Media
Center.
 A student may be asked to return to their
classroom if he/she fails to comply with either
Media Center rules or rules contained in the
Student Code of Conduct.

16. PHS MEDIA CENTER POLICIES
 The loan period for a book is two weeks.
 Students are assessed a late fee at the rate
of $.05 per school day per book. Late fees
must be paid before students receive report
cards or diplomas.
 There is a five book limit for students who
wish to checkout books.
 Fines may not exceed the cost of a book.
 Students must pay the replacement cost for
any lost or damaged book.

17. PHS MEDIA CENTER - USAGE
 Teachers/Substitute teachers use Media Center for conference/planning
period.
 Study rooms are used for student make up testing and small group
work.
 Mentors meet regularly with students in Media Center study rooms.
 Students use computers to review grades on PowerSchool.
 Students use Internet for class assignments and research.
 Students use reference books and other print resources for research.
 Students browse, check, renew, or return books.
 Students are able to sit and read quietly or complete school
assignments.
 Students may use computers to type or print assignments.
 Students may use copy machine to make copies.
 Students may seek assistance with technological issues or problems.

18. PHS MEDIA CENTER FACILITY LAYOUT

19. MEDIA CENTER FRONT DOORS

20. VIEW OF EXIT (FRONT DOORS)

21. STRAIGHT VIEW UPON ENTERING MEDIA
CENTER

22. RIGHT VIEW UPON ENTERING THE MEDIA
CENTER

23. MEDIA CENTER – VIEW FROM BACK WALL

24. MEDIA CENTER CIRCULATION DESK

25. REFERENCE
SECTION

26. FICTION SECTION

27. FRONT VIEW OF FICTION AND NONFICTION
SECTIONS

28. PHS MEDIA CENTER – CARD CATALOG COMPUTERS

29. MEDIA CENTER – READING AREA / PERIODICALS

30. KITCHEN AREA

31. INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGIST OFFICE

32. PHS MEDIA SPECIALIST OFFICE

33. STORAGE CLOSET – AUDIO / VIDEO STORAGE

34. STORAGE ROOM – TECHNOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT

35. TECHNOLOGY / CONFERENCE ROOM

36. MEDIA CENTER STUDENT STUDY ROOMS

37. NEW PHS MEDIA FACILITY LAYOUT PROPOSAL

38. MEDIA CENTER NARRATIVE
Although the PHS Media Center is relatively new, there are several issues that could be
addressed by redesigning or addressing some of the problems with the facility. The furnishings serve
as the purpose, but the Media Center is not an inviting atmosphere at all. The drab wall color and
furniture do very little to increase a student’s desire to spend time the facility.
First, there needs to be a full computer lab existing for class use. We are not able to service all
the requests for computer use in the Media Center or even with the mobile laptop labs. Additional
computers are needed.
Next, when classes are using the computer lab in the Media Center, students should still be able
to come to Media Center to print or research a topic. Single use student computers should be available
in addition to the class lab.
The addition of restrooms to the Media Center would allow better student supervision. Students
come to the MC to work and very often must visit the restroom. At this point, they are unsupervised and
have left the Media Center. Once students arrive to the MC, this inclusion of restrooms would allow
them to stay until their work was complete and they were ready to return to class.
We are in need of additional technological equipment and storage areas for that equipment.
The storage area we use now is packed. We must remove equipment before we are able to access the
equipment that is needed. Also, the student study rooms are located inconveniently next to the work
tables and computer lab area. Students often become to loud or interrupt the class that is occurring in
the computer lab area. By swapping these two areas, both issues can be addressed.
Better organization of the book collection is needed. There is plenty of empty shelves that may
be used and with a little additional space, the collection could be organized in a much better way.
There are two areas of facility repair that are necessary. Although, our carpet is only two years
old, the seams are placed in a terrible location and are fraying terribly. The carpet will need to be
replaced because of this problem.
Also, when it rains, because of the roof structure located over the Media Center, we have a
terrible problem with leaks . The roof has been repaired many times, but some sort of structure
problem remains. The rain water does not drain properly, and the Media Center tends to get the extra.
The technology in the Media Center is in need of update. Many types of equipment need to be
replaced or added to.

39. PROPOSED BUILDING MODIFICATIONS
TO PHS MEDIA CENTER FACILITY
1. Removal of back wall to add 500 additional square
feet plus a ladies and gentleman restroom.
2. Add wall to existing commons area and existing
student work rooms to create a new room for
equipment storage. New electrical wiring will be
necessary for this room to be able to charge mobile
computer lab carts.
3. Modify wall where existing storage room exists to
create three new student work rooms.
4. Remove existing carpet and replace with carpet tiles.
5. Repair building roofing system so that rain water leaks
are prevented.

40. PHOTO OF EXISTING WALL EXISTING WALL
PROPOSED REMOVAL OF BACK WALL

41. REFERENCE BOOKS PERIODICALS
PROPOSAL: COMBINE REFERENCE BOOKS AND PERIODICAL
SECTIONS

42. REASON FOR PROPOSAL
1. New proposed area for
Periodicals and Reference
Materials. These materials
will be located together with
a table in center of area for
students to sit, read, and
research. Currently, the
areas are separate and the
reading area is too small.
The area is also located in
a very distracting location.
NEW PROPOSED BACK WALL LAYOUT

43. RESTROOM ADDITION
 Once students are located
in Media Center, when they
need to leave to visit the
restroom, supervision is
almost impossible once
they leave. Often they
leave, and LMCS is busy
and so is parapro. Adding
restrooms would allow
students to be located in
one area and supervised
better.
PROPOSED ADDITION OF RESTROOMS

44. RELOCATION OF EQUIPMENT ROOM

45. REASONS FOR RELOCATING EQUIPMENT
ROOM
 Equipment room would
have much better location
closer to Media Center Exit
allowing equipment to be
rolled on carpet a smaller
distance. Also, less
interuptions for classes will
exist when equipment
distribution and recollection
is closer to the exit.
PROPOSAL: EQUIPMENT ROOM CLOSER TO
ENTRANCE AND EXIT

46.  Students sometimes disrupt
other classes in computer
lab while
entering, exiting, and
working in the study rooms.
Larger tables with more
chairs will be purchased
also.
PROPOSAL: RELOCATION OF STUDENT STUDY
ROOMS

47. PICTURES OF EXISTING CARPET
PROBLEMS
REPLACEMENT OF CARPET

48. PROPOSED CARPET TILE SYSTEM
 Carpet tiles are now available
in many different styles and
colors. And, at the end of the
year, the high traffic areas
could be replaced without
replacement of entire floor
system. Also, different areas
of the Media Center could be
identified by altering the
carpet tiles.
 Cost of this carpet tile system
could only be obtained by
professional carpet installers.
PROPOSED CARPET TILE SYSTEM

49. PHOTOS OF THE WINDOW SYSTEM IN
ROOF OF MEDIA CENTER
PROPOSAL: REPAIR ROOFING SYSTEM

50. MEDIA CENTER DURING RAIN STORM

51. PROPOSED DESIGN MODIFICATIONS
TO PHS MEDIA CENTER FACILITY
1. Paint the Media Center with warmer colors and more
vibrant designs and décor.
2. Purchase new furniture and computers for 30 student
computer lab.
3. Purchase new furniture and computers for 8 single student
computer work areas to be used for computer work and
card catalog access.
4. Purchase and add new furniture for student commons
area.
4. Purchase and add new tables for Reference area and
Fiction area.
5. Reposition 4 cubicals to area behind computer lab for
single student work areas.
6. Modify current or purchase new circulation desk to larger
shape with more area.
7. Better organization system in Video Storage closet.

52. REPAINT MEDIA CENTER WITH WARM INVITING COLORS

53. PURCHASE NEW MEDIA STORAGE SYSTEMS TO
BETTER ORGANIZE MEDIA CLOSET

54. PROPOSAL: NEW EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE
FOR 30 STUDENT LAB - ESTIMATE $39,660

55. Proposed Furniture
Workstations and
Equipment
Balt® Split-Level Adjustable Computer
Table, One-Person, 31-1/2–35-1/2"H x
36"W x 36"D
L3W-H45362
Description
The unique Split Level Adjustable
Computer Table is the ideal economical
workstation choice for
classrooms, computer labs, training
rooms, or offices. Features two
independently height adjustable platforms
to accommodate a variety of users.
19"D keyboard platform and 17"D monitor
platform independently adjust 27-33"H to
provide the perfect viewing and working
15 Tables @ $350 = $5,250 height for a variety of applications
30 Chairs @ $167 = $5,010 Both platforms are made of 1"-thick
30 Dell Computers with Flat furniture board with a gray laminate
Screen Monitors per Pickens surface
County specifications = Two leg-mounted platforms on black steel
$29,400 frames hold standard tower CPUs

56. PROPOSAL: NEW SINGLE STUDENT
COMPUTERS / CARD CATALOG COMPUTERS

57. Smith System Flexline™ Half-circle 3-
Proposed Single Student student Workstation
Workstations/Card Catalogs L3W-H56832 4 @ $545 = 2,180
Description
Space-saving workstations encourage
collaborative learning in computer
labs! Adjust 22-30"H
Arrange in rows or against walls
Place two together to form a collaborative
learning circle
Center cutout for neat and easy cable
management
Patented backpack pegs on both right and
left legs
1¼"-thick furniture board tops
High-pressure laminate surfaces
4 Tables @ $545 = $2,180
Protective bumper moldings
8 Chairs @ $167 = $1,336
16-gauge steel Y-leg frames
Repurpose existing
Powder-coat finishes
computers for these work
stations :
Equipment cost = $0

58. PROPOSED FURNITURE
LOCATION OF COMMONS / READING
AREA
www.Highsmith.com
6 Benches @ $1180 = $7,080
10 Chairs @ $773 = $7,730
8 Wedge tables @ $ 542 = $4,336
Lighting = $300
Coffee Tables = $1000
TOTAL COST = $20,446
PROPOSAL: NEW COMMONS AREA

59. SURVEY RESULTS
 83% of teachers felt the book collection in
the Media Center is up to date and very
much useful in the classroom.
 76% of teachers felt the book collection is
very well rounded and is enjoyed by PHS
student readers who read for pleasure.
 61% of teachers would like to see the book
collection extended, and especially add to
the classroom collection books.

60. SURVEY RESULTS
 92% of teachers would like to see the
technological equipment available for
checkout updated and extended.
 93% of teachers would like to see more
computers added to the Media Center for
student classroom use.
 87% of teachers would like to see the
equipment work more consistently when
checking out equipment or using equipment
in the Media Center.

61. PHS MEDIA CENTER SURVEY – TOP TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS
 Additional desktop computers for class use.
 More reliable wireless connectivity.
 Upgraded computers.
 Easier to access workstations and computers.
 More classroom book sets.
 Additional lit circle book sets.
 Area for Teachers to work unbothered by classes or
students.
 Additional technological equipment like smart boards
and clicker systems. Requests specify the cutting
edge “new stuff.”
 Teachers also want additional training for the use of
technological equipment.

62. PHS MEDIA CENTER SURVEY – TOP STUDENT RECOMMENDATIONS
 Additional desktop computers for student use.
 Separate computers for students who come during the day and
need to use a computer while classes are present in Media
Center.
 Would like a larger area to hang out and read and study and talk
to students about assignments.
 The study rooms need to be larger.
 MORE books – Fiction. Additional copies of books that are
checked out at a high rate.
 Instruction on better methods of research and how to find things.
 Software that will read whatever file version so that all files are
readable, modifiable, and printable.
 More up to date equipment to use in the Media Center – like good
scanners, ear phones, microphones, and printers.
 Larger monitors.

63. MEDIA CENTER – POLICY CHANGES
 Teachers must supervise their students during their
class sessions in the Media Center computer lab.
They may not leave their student during class time in
the computer lab.
 Students must sit properly and use student Commons
area appropriately. Laying down is prohibited.
 Students who use the single computers during class
sessions, must be quiet and not disturb the class that
is going on in the computer lab.
 Any additional equipment a student uses, such as a
microphone, must be checked out at the circulation
desk.