Section V: Budget Sources

The Wayne County High School Media Center has a budget of $18,034 for the 20152016 school year. This amount was allocated to the media center using the Quality Based
Education (QBE) Formula. This formula uses school data, such at 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 on subscriptions and/or licenses for the Follett
Destiny software. Although necessary, subscriptions can be costly. According to Martin, A.
(2011), libraries need to shop for the best databases and for print resources by comparing to other
resources. In other words don't just keep with the status quo, shop for cheaper equitable
alternatives every year. Just by shopping around you may be able to get what we currently
subscribe to at a cheaper rate. If there is any money remaining in the budget at the end of the
year, then 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. Additionally, the media center will host
book fairs to obtain updated selections and/or replace damaged books. 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. In the past, this fundraiser account was used to fund the acquisition of
security gates for exiting the media center to make sure items are not removed before being
checked out.

The current yearly budget is adequate for the daily operations of the media center.
However, there are some structural changes that need to be made to make 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. 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. Johnson (2013), suggests candy and car washes can
make money for the school library program. Another good suggestion is to recycle ink cartridges
to earn money for the school library program (p. 104). The media center should consider other
fund raising efforts to help supplement the budget.
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. With one of the
media centers long term goals in mind, the media center would like to build an outdoor
classroom in order to create additional space for students and classes. At this time the fundraiser
account has approximately $3,806.74; thus the media center is well on the way to meeting this
long term goal.
Alternative funding sources, partnerships, and grants can also supplement the school
library programs 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. The U.S. Department of
Education (n.d.) offers a grant program that 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. 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 economic crises and budget cuts. Within
the last ten years, many school districts have experienced a cut in the school library media staff.
The reduction of staff along with the reduction of funding has made it difficult for school library
media specialists to serve faculty, staff, and students. When facing challenges such as these, it is
important that the media program remains focused on the vision of the library (McClung, 2012 p.
33).

LaRae Thornton- created graphs, collected information & created Thinglink

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.
Martin, A. (2011). Buying smarter--how to make the library dollar go further: Tactics for tough
budget times. Library Media Connection, 29(4). p.24-25.
McClung, P. (2012). Budget cuts: How to deal with less. School Library Monthly, 28 (5), p. 33.
United States Department of Education (n.d.). Improving Literacy through school library.
Retrieved from
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