Library Setting

Description of Setting

Opened in 2002, West Johnston High School (WJHS) is part of a rapidly growing commuter community in rural Johnston County, North Carolina.   WJHS is located at 5935 Raleigh Road, Benson, NC 27529; its Web address is http://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=15.  Last year, a new high school opened to alleviate some of the overcrowding (2,400 students) issues at West Johnston.  Consequently, the WJHS media center supports the vision and academic goals of 112 teachers and 1746 students in grades 9 through 12 (Public Schools of NC, 2011), as well as their families. 

As of 2010, the West Johnston student population was somewhat racially and ethnically diverse: 71% Caucasian; 19% African American; 9% Latino; 0.6% Native American; 0.6% Asian; 22.6% are eligible for free or reduced lunch (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2011).  According to the 2010-2011 NC Report Card, 88.8% of WJHS students scored at or above grade level on end-of-course tests; 90.7% scored proficient for English I; 74.3% passed Algebra I, and 94.8% were proficient in Algebra II.  The school met 20 of the 24 performance targets for AYP (Public Schools of NC, 2011).  In 2011, West Johnston showed expected growth, earning the “School of Distinction” designation.

The WJHS Media Program includes two full-time media coordinators, one of whom also serves as the technology facilitator.  The media coordinators offer collaborative opportunities; graduation project guidance and mentoring; staff technology training; book consultations; after-school tutoring; and classroom instruction upon request.  The media program includes the following resources and services:

  • 6,000 square feet of useable instructional space

  • Approximately 20,000 books and reference materials

  • 47 periodical and newspaper subscription titles

  • Over 600 DVD and VHS titles

  • SmartBoard

  • 25 desktop computers with Microsoft Applications, Internet access and laser printing for student use

  • Teacher Alcove – Computers with Microsoft Applications, Internet access and laser printing

  • 20 digital still and video cameras – Available for check out for in-school use

  • High-speed scanner

  • CD Burners

  • Data projector and laptop computer carts for teacher check out

  • 7 Dell Mini Laptop cart sets (32 laptops per set) with wireless Internet access for classroom use

  • 1 Lenovo Tablet for in-library use

  • Instructional e-pads for teacher check out

  • Clickers for student assessment

  • Photocopy machine

  • Laminating machine for teacher use

  • Conference Room/professional library – Sign up for use with students, faculty, and parents

  • Flexible-access computer lab (Room 201) – 30 computers and laser printer available by teacher reservation 

The floor plan below illustrates the locations of the major library resources.  The media center entrance is toward the lower right of the picture, near the conference room.  There are security gates at the entrance and exit doors to reduce theft.  The circulation desk is actually horseshoe-styled, wrapping around at both ends.  The leisure reading area, near the magazines, includes soft seating.  Graphic novels and new books are displayed on shelves (not pictured) adjacent to the search stations, near the circulation desk.  Since this layout was created, the SmartBoard was added; it is located on the patio wall near the end of the fiction stacks. 

 West Johnston High School Media Center Layout (6,000 square feet)

 
 
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