With the beginning of the 2021 – 2022 school year at AMHS, our new library media specialist Dr. Russell founded Academic Magnet’s Library Advisory Council (AMLAC). As the faculty advisor, she initiated the student-led group where members have taken to the idea of modernizing the media center and its services in order for it to be more beneficial for the AMHS community.

 

The council’s structure is comprised of three standing committees allocated to different tasks. The Communications Committee oversees all library publications, including but not limited to monthly book recommendations, social media posts, and digital and physical displays. The Programming Committee focuses on the implementation of new and existing programs in the library. They handle arranging author visits, instituting a potential Makerspace in the library, establishing a library cafe, the acquisition of new books, etc. The Events Committee is tasked with monthly celebrations (Hispanic Heritage, LGBTQ, Holocaust Remembrance, etc.), Y’all Fest, and school wide book challenges, for example.

AMLAC’s Native American Heritage Month Book Recommendations.

 

In learning more about the mission of the newly established organization, I spoke with some of the AMLAC executives – President Somer Lankford, Vice President of Library Programming Anne Young, Vice President of Library Communications Graycen Lankford, Vice President of Library Events Makenna Lankford, Secretary Evie Heath, and Treasurer Rin Baylock.

Rin spoke about why she chose to become involved, since she initially wasn’t expecting to become as engaged as she is now. However, “after meeting everyone in the club and making a stand (for myself) by choosing a role in our higher council, I realized that I actually DID want to have this kind of position, especially since I was always fond of books and libraries in general as a kid. I never how much I would enjoy working on the development of our school library for more students to have more positive opinions on it, but I sure am glad I did join in the end.” Other executives spoke about their favorite parts of leading this club, from “engaging with a passionate group of readers who are interested in bringing the library to its full potential,” to it being “incredibly rewarding to know that the steps we are taking to improve the space are benefiting the entire school community and will change the way people think and use the library,” according to Anne Young. Graycen Lankford described how it was “very exciting to go from there not being any kind of library club to an established, organized council. A big goal I have for us is just increasing foot traffic to the library.”

In order to properly assess the condition of the media center, and what changes would be most appreciated among the student body, AMLAC conducted a needs assessment this past fall.

 

The survey from the Magnet populace came in with the following results:

• Approximately 90% of students feel the library is a safe, inviting, and welcoming space that is
  conducive to learning.
• Over half of respondents felt the library provides up-to-date information and information
  representing diverse and different perspectives.
• However, roughly 40% either didn’t know or felt it was only somewhat true that our library
  possesses information representing diverse and different perspectives.
• Roughly a quarter of students polled are unaware and/or only somewhat believe that the library
  can assist with research projects & inquiry-based projects.
• 22% didn’t know or felt it was only somewhat true that our library provides an environment
  for collaboration and problem solving.
• Over a quarter of those surveyed were unaware that the library elicits student/staff/faculty
  feedback for books and resources.
• Nearly a quarter of respondents are unaware that the library can assist users in learning new strategies for “collecting, organizing and sharing resources.”
• Nearly a quarter of those who responded are either unaware or feel our library embraces innovation and exploration.
• Nearly 30% of those surveyed indicated they either didn’t know or don’t believe the library provides communities related to the safe, legal, and ethical creation of knowledge.

After analyzing the results above, AMLAC complied the needs assessment with a list of recommendations, including bookshelf displays and additional central displays to highlight the library, a collection of more diverse sources and increased accessibility for students to those library resources, launching a “Creative Commons/Makerspace” area for innovation and collaborative problem-solving and creativity in Rm. 8213, and inviting cross school interaction with Magnet and SOA, to name a few. After putting much time and thought into the creation of proactive recommendations, the AMLAC executives presented the current needs of the media center to a panel of faculty and CCSD staff, including Principal Jacob Perlmutter, Teacher Carl Garris, CCSD’s Library Media Services Coordinator and District Textbook Coordinator Christy James, and Head Librarian of Charleston Library Society Laura Mina.

Christy James noted she was “so impressed with the presentation that the AMLAC leaders shared in December. They are truly working for actionable changes that will benefit the entire school and leverage the impact of the school library. It’s really an inspiration and I hope to see this kind of student-led action in other schools.” “This group was prepared, articulate, and obviously well-studied on the topic [and] has done the essential groundwork necessary to move forward and fulfill an excellent vision, and they have done it well,” according to Laura Mina. Faculty member Carl Garris emerged “greatly impressed, as a Magnet teacher, through their professionalism and clarity.”

Finally, our very own principal, Jacob Perlmutter, is “excited to have a capable Library Advisory Council established at Magnet, specifically I’m excited about the students who volunteered to get involved with this project. Dr. Russell has found great partners in this group of students and they have found a great advocate in her.”

As for the next step in implementing change, due to the nature of our media center being a shared space, Dr. Russell states “it is crucial that the students, faculty, and staff of the School of the Arts provide their input on our library strengths, areas for improvement, and additional needs or requests. AMLAC is excited to have learned that an identical needs assessment was administered to the School of the Arts stakeholders prior to winter break and we look forward to our continued discussions on the library’s future.”

Nevertheless, SOA concludes their needs assessment, AMLAC has already taken action in executing their mission statement. Over the course of the first semester, they have hosted several member meetings and socials, designed posters for monthly celebrations, presented to several stakeholders in AMLAC’s cause, organized book reviews. Plans for the rest of the academic year include plans to conduct a “Blind Date With a Book” during the month of February, collaboration with the ARC Oral History Project and the Black Student Alliance to research the historical Bonds Wilson Campus, an April Poetry Slam, and a project with Read Across America.

The library has recently received a new influx of books that several AMLAC members will be reviewing soon, so any one is welcome to stop by the media center and check them out. AMLAC is also open throughout the year to new members, and if you are interested in becoming a part of this club, please contact Dr. Russell at (lara_russell@charleston.k12.sc.us)!