Durham Media Center The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new. --Socrates During the school year, several large bookshelves were removed from the media center to create an open seating area as well as a space for an innovative media table. Once the bookshelves were removed, Media Paraprofessional Mrs. Webb donned her painting skills to touch up the new space. New carpeting and trim followed. Funds earned from the media centers annual Scholastic Book Fairs paid for this custom built media table which accommodates several devices and allows for images to be duplicated onto a TV monitor. Earnings from the Scholastic Book Fair purchased two charging stations housed in the media center which allow students to charge their devices while they work in the media center spaces. During the school year, several shelves of unused, outdated reference books were cleared out to make an open seating area where students can collaborate and work on projects. Students move from the new open seating area to gather for the morning news one September morning of the school year. Students utilize the spaces at the media centers entrance in the morning to collaborate with classmates and to use the online catalog, Destiny. The plan for the spring of the school year includes new, mobile seating for this area so students can manipulate the area to meet their collaborative needs. The Expanse and Nebula tables, both on casters, can be manipulated like puzzle pieces to create unique collaborative groupings. New chairs will add a level of comfort as well as an additional pop of color. Caf height tables and chairs will add another seating alternative. The main instructional area, is being reconfigured to accommodate 12 additional desktop computers, totaling 36 in this space, so that a full class can receive teacher-led instruction without any students being relocated to other areas of the media center. An innovative mobile presentation system featuring a flat 70 panel with a built in browser, USB ports, HDMI and VGA inputs plus speakers will be added to the space. During the Thanksgiving holiday, the instructional zone was reconfigured. Two new switches and fibers are now installed (to support internet service) and six of twelve new computers have been set up. Classes can easily move to and from the computers and tables to accommodate varying needs. As we evolve, our mission stays the same... Durham Library Media Center Philosophies The media center is the hub of the school. Collaboration between the media center and classroom teachers improves student learning. The media center program, resources and staff play a vital role in student achievement. Media Goals To: Support student achievement by increasing the quantity and quality of collaboration between the media center staff and teachers. Utilize media resources with an emphasis on Cobb Digital Library and Destiny. Provide instructional opportunities for students and teachers.