| Mission Statement “The mission of Portsmouth Public Schools Library Media Centers is to provide its patrons with a safe, orderly, and inviting learning environment that offers high-quality resources and support to promote information literacy and literature appreciation.” Goal “The goal of Portsmouth Public School Library Media Centers is to produce literate citizens that recognize and use libraries as valued sources of literature and information for personal growth and pleasure.” Portsmouth Public Schools Library Media Specialist’s Handbook, 2019-2020 |
Moran and Morner (2018) define strategic planning “as a systematic process of envisioning a desired future and translating this vision into broadly defined goals or objectives, and a sequence of steps to achieve them” (p. 81). Portsmouth Public Schools Five Year Strategic Plan, 2015, outlines the five goals in specific areas and the objectives and steps to be implemented to achieve those goals. One of those areas outlined in the strategic plan is curriculum and instruction, where the library media centers are grouped. The vision of the school district’s superintendent is that the strategic plan will lead the district into the future and support all personnel in assuring that all of the district’s students reach their full potential (PPS Five-year strategic plan, 2015, p.3).
Two objectives that all media specialists must support (PPS Five-year strategic plan 2015, pp.11-12):
- “Instructional personnel will implement a highly effective, research-based curriculum.”
- “The curriculum and related programs will meet the needs of all students.”
Given these objectives, the existing mission of all librarians in the district does express the purpose of the librarians and the library media center, to provide quality resources and information (Portsmouth Library Media Center Handbook, 2019-2020). One of the key standards of AASL National School Library Standards is that librarians curate resources carefully based on the need of the patrons (Elementary Librarians, 2021). The mission does detail how the librarians will move towards the desired outcome and have high-quality resources while promoting information literacy to help students reach their full potential. I would like for the mission statement to include how the resources will be used to increase the critical thinking abilities of the students.
The strategic plan reflects on the strengths, challenges, and opportunities for the community’s future and is stated in Layman’s terms. The vision of the superintendent and the collaborating members speaks volumes of a brighter, better, and ready future for the students and staff. It specifies the significant roles that librarians will play as they partner with students, educators, and the community.
As a potential stakeholder and a future-ready librarian, I am excited and looking forward to implementing what I am learning in the library science program. There is a need in the community that I work in and my goal is to collaborate with all stakeholders to meet the needs of those who enter my library. I will use my strength as an achiever to push for more and do more for my community. Never settling for below-average because my strength as a maximizer says I can take the below-average situations that exist in my work community and transform them into above average (Clifton, D., pp. 2-3, n.d).
Sources:
Clifton, D. (2000, 2006-2012). CliftonStrengths. Delrose Morgan: Your signature theme report. Survey completion date: 02-03-2021. [Unpublished report] Gallup, Inc
Elementary Librarian. (2021). Breaking down the AASL national school library standards. https://elementarylibrarian.com/breaking-down-the-aasl-national-school-library-standards/
Moran, B. B., & Morner, C. J. (2018). Library and information center management (9th ed.). ABC-CLIO.
Portsmouth Library Media Center. (2019-2020). Library media specialist’s handbook. Portsmouth Public Schools. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dcl5yMLJ3tIxibjUIPIKuJMWwVukHmBk/edit
Portsmouth Public Schools. (2015). PPS five-year strategic plan. Office of research and evaluation. https://www.ppsk12.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_794494/File/About_PPS/PPS%20Fiv%20Year%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf