TENAFLY HIGH SCHOOL’S LALOR
 LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

Adjusting Operations in the Library Media Center

Several changes have been made in the library media center to make the operation more efficient and useful for students and faculty.  The modifications are largely based upon observation of students going towards finding information, how students use and are changed by that information, and how they express it; in class assignments, reports, and projects.  Some changes include:

○ Redesign of our library web site www.librarymedia.net  making it easier for students to access local collections and subscription information. Modeled after the official website of the British Monarchy http://www.royal.gov.uk you will notice that it is simple to navigate and easy to read.  Authored using Adobe Dreamweaver, the site will continue to evolve. Your feedback is welcome!
○ In the center north side of the library media center a newly reconfigured cluster of three computers are better designed to access Newspaper Direct, an Internet subscription that was, last year, undoubtedly, the most popular electronic resource.  This service is the world’s largest online newspaper kiosk, where students can browse and read hundreds of full content premium newspapers and magazines from around the globe, gaining different perspectives to world events.  We have a 3 station subscription; and it is only available in the library, so students must visit the library to use it.  A custom built round table has been installed to accommodate this resource.  Also, pivoting computer monitors will enable students to better browse and read the newspaper columns vertically. 

Students in ninth grade social studies classes depend on this resource, printing out current event articles for their classes on / from specific countries. In addition, our diverse student population can read daily newspaper from their native country or town.

Added Projects Completed:

○ Building a rack of equipment to better record board of education meetings with an extra archival audio copy for file

○ Reorganize library storage
Integrate donated television equipment

○ Create special new book displays inventory

These projects and modifications have been made through the work of library secretaries Jean Rohrbeck and June Johnston, our new library media technician, Carlos Garcia and extra summer help, which included Ben Gold (Marc Gold’s son) Amy Nelson (Ellen Nelson’s daughter), and THS students Vlad M., Christine P., Sam Y. and Erin L.  Many thanks for the hard work of all involved.

Library Media Technician Joins Staff

Carlos Garcia comes to us from Summit High School.  He joined the library media center staff in August and has hit the ground running in assisting in the some very important improvements and upgrades. Carlos majored in sociology in his undergraduate studies and holds a master’s degree in Media Ecology from the prestigious Steinhart School at NYU.  Carlos will be charged with assisting in the programming for Channel 77 and helping to further integrate media as such to enhance learning experiences at THS.
 

Modified Set and New Format for Televised “Morning Announcements”

In an effort to use media to encourage our students, televised morning announcements will look much different.  Keeping with the guiding principle of the program: “The best broadcasts must have respect and good will as their central purpose” it has been decided to deliver most of the announcements concerned with club meetings, cafeteria menu, etc. via a text crawl on the bottom of the screen. And above the crawl, something creative and different will occur.  Tune in to find out what!  Pictured below is the upgraded studio with new books on display.

Safari Montage: Valuable Resource for Instruction

Over the summer SAFARI Montage has been installed for high school use.  It is an award-winning, broadcast-quality, Video-On-Demand solution that comes preloaded with hundreds of hours of quality educational video titles. SAFARI Montage also provides a smart approach for uploading and managing digital media from a central location. It will be useful across the curriculum and training is forthcoming.