Library and Media Services

Support and services for administrators, library media specialists and teachers through the following:

• School Library System
  
• Media Resource Service
  
• Automated Library Systems
  
• On-line Information Resources
• Video Streaming

Library and Media Services includes the School Library System, the Media Resource Service (COSER 511), Automated Library Systems (COSER 512), and On-line Information Resources (COSER 513).

The School Library System is a grant-funded program in which participants develop skills to manage their school library media centers as electronic doorway libraries to effectively meet the information needs of administrators, faculty and students. School library media specialists learn effective strategies to deliver an information skills curriculum that supports resource-based teaching and learning. They have access to information on current and emerging technologies, curriculum integration, New York State Standards and school library regulations.

Districts develop an effective library media program that ensures students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. To facilitate research, participants will have access to a wide range of informational and reference resources on a regional and national level, through online databases, a union catalog and inter-library loan.

The Media Resource Service (COSER 511) incorporates the latest technology into its offerings. In addition to our more than 9,000 current, subject-specific multimedia resources (videos, CD-ROMs, films, satellite/TV broadcasts) which enhance the curriculum and support students in the learning process, we have added video streaming. This latest technology allows remote access 24 X 7 for faculty and students. Professional development workshops and training sessions encourage participants to develop skills for integrating multimedia materials effectively into the teaching/learning process.

Automated Library Systems (COSER 512) provides a computerized library management system that allows students and faculty to effectively use the resources of the school library media center. Library automation includes data conversion of shelf list cards into electronic bibliographic records and the development of an on-line catalog and circulation system. On-site training provides improved technical services and maintenance of the library collections. Through technical planning and consultation, automation of the school library becomes part of the district's technology plan in providing appropriate on site and remote electronic access for students.

Remote databases access services are also available.

On-line Information Resources (COSER 513) provides subscribers with access to a variety of comprehensive full text and/or indexed reference databases that complement the K-12 curriculum. Up-to-date resources improve student research through successful searching strategies. Students are able to select the type of information required to meet their needs in a range of formats (citations, abstracts, full-text documents and page-image documents). Staff development workshops provide hand-on opportunities to incorporate databases into the teaching and learning process.

Databases electronically available through the Internet include:

Other databases are available as required.