The FTE count is sent to the state of Georgia’s Department of Education by the Wayne County Board of Education.  The state of Georgia determines the amount of money allotted to the media center. This money is known as IM funds (Instructional Materials), and it can only be spent on instructional materials used for students. This year the WCHS media center is operating on a budget of $18,034.  The media center also has a school supply store: pencils, pens, erasers, pens, poster board, markers, glue, paper, and construction paper.  Last year the media center store made a profit of $335.20.  Damaged books, late book fines, and lost book fines go into this account.  Therefore, book repairs and the purchase of replacement books come out of this account. The cost of furniture and decorations are allotted from this account as well. As you can see there is not a lot of profit here; therefore, it takes several years to save for non-educational materials even though they would be pleasing for the patrons using the media center.

Wayne County High School Budget

The Wayne County High School Media Center has a budget of $18,034 for the 2015-2016 school year.  This amount was allocated to the media center using the Quality Based Education (QBE) Formula.  This formula uses school data, such as FTE count to determine the dollar amount each school system should receive from the Georgia Department of Education.  The FTE count for Wayne County High School is 1,366.  The media center funding amount per student is $13.20. This per student amount is determined by dividing the budget of $18,034 by the 1,366 FTE count.

The media center budget is used to make purchases “to support teaching and learning throughout the school” (AASL. p.35).  Each purchase is thoroughly considered to ensure it will improve instruction. The media center purchases can be grouped into 4 main categories. These categories are Technology Equipment, Subscriptions/Licenses, Books/Resources, and Supplies/Materials. The majority of the budget is spent on books and other print or nonprint resources for students, teachers and/or the Parent Resource Room.  The remaining budget is spent almost equally among technology equipment and supplies/materials. The technology equipment that is purchased varies depending on funding and need.  Examples of technology equipment purchases include computers, wireless student computing devices, printers, projectors, and other technology peripherals. Supplies and materials are purchased for use in the media center. Supplies and materials include copy paper, laminating film, asset tags, labels, etc. A very small portion of the budget is spent subscriptions and/or licenses for the Follett Destiny software. If there is any money remaining in the budget at the end of the year than that amount is carried over to the following school year. Normally, there is only a couple of dollars left over at the end of the year.

The media center tries to supplement the budget by having a school supply store which sells pencils, pens, erasers, pens, poster board, markers, glue, paper, and construction paper.  In a typical year, the store profits $300 - $400. The store has a separate account and the profits are used to repair and replace damaged books. The money received from late book fines, lost book fines, and damaged book fines are put into this account.  This account is also used for the purchase of non-educational items such as furniture and decorations. The media center tries to

save the money in this account from year to year so it can be used to make costly furniture purchases. Another example of the use of this fundraiser account is this money funded the acquisition of security gates for exiting the media center to make sure items that are not checked out do not leave the room

The current yearly budget is adequate for the daily operations of the media center. However, there are some structural changes that need to make to the facility more innovative and 21st century friendly.  Unfortunately, the current budget does not provide enough funding to change the structure of the library or purchase new furniture. The media center continually searches for grant opportunities and pursues all eligible grants for additional funding. The media center should consider other fund raising efforts to help supplement the budget. One suggestion for a fund raiser is to create a small coffee shop so students and teachers can purchase coffee or other refreshments as they visit the media center. The media center can also host book fairs to earn additional money.  

The profit from these fund raising efforts can then be used to help make necessary purchases. There are several things that need to be done to the media center to make it more appealing to students and to help improve instruction. Additional student computers need to be purchased in order to handle the increasing class sizes. Additional electrical outlets need to be installed so students can charge their wireless devices while they are visiting the media center.  Currently, the media center is only large enough for one class visit at the time.  The media center would like to build an outdoor patio in order to create additional space for students and classes.

Alternative funding sources, partnerships and grants can also supplement the school library program’s budget (AASL, 2009, p. 36).  Donations for the school library will consist of fundraisers, PTA/PTO, and community partners. The school library media specialist will also complete grant applications that are directly related to increasing collaboration, using technology, independent reading, and professional development. Donations will directly impact the school library goals, furniture for the school library will be purchased that supports the use of technology. Additionally, the goal is to update the school library by adding new shelving, seating, lighting, counters, chairs, and tables.  This will enhance the school library which will make the environment welcoming to all stakeholders, especially enhancing the coffee shop area. According to Dickinson (2004, p. 14) with a strong, stable budget stream, school library media programs have new technologies in good repair, a current collection of resources, and an attractive and inviting library media center facility. The new library furniture will modernize the school library and ensure that it is appropriate for the 21st century learner.  School library programs are greatly impacted by the economic crisis and budget cuts. In many school districts the number of staff members has been cut in half within the last ten years. Resulting in the school library media specialists faced with difficulty of serving faculty, staff, and students with less. When facing challenges such as these, it is important that the media program remains focused on the vision of the library. Simply, focus energy on our vision and you will always succeed; even when faced with budget and staffing issues. (McClung, 2012 p. 33). Many principals may have good intentions and are very supportive of the school library program, but simply do not have the funds to allocate towards it.

Potential Donations

The U.S. Department of Education  suggest “program helps LEAs improve reading achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers; and professionally certified school library media specialists.”  The school library media specialist will complete grant applications on the U.S. Department of Education website that support the goals and objectives of the school library.  The school will also host book fairs to raise money for the school library program. Additionally, the school will continue to sell school supplies such as: pencils, pens, led, erasers, etc to help raise funds for the school library program. Johnson (2013), suggest candy and car washes can also make money for the school library program. Another good suggestion is to use the recycling of ink cartridges can be done to earn additional money for the school library program (pg. 104).  All donations obtained will be utilized to support the school library mission, goals, and objectives.

References

American Association of School Librarians. (2009). Empowering learners. Chicago: American

           Library Association.

Dickinson, G. (2004). Budgeting as easy as 1-2-3: How to ask for and get the money you

           need. Library Media Connection.

Johnson, D. (2013). The indispensable librarian. Santa Barbara, CA: Linworth.

McClung, P. (2012). Budget cuts: How to deal with less. School Library Monthly, 28 (5), p. 33.

United States Department of Education. Improving Literacy through school library.

    Retrieved from

    http://www2.ed.gov/programs/lsl/index.html