See and hear : the journal on audio-visual learning (1945)

to evoke continuing evaluation again for the purpose of improvement! Facilities. Needs which affect facilities fall into three general categories: procurement-production, distribution, and utilization. 1 Curricular services, including Audio-Visual, are located in a central Curriculum Laboratory or service center. The audio-visual materials provided include I6mm motion picture films, 35mm filmstrips, 2" x 2" and 3i4"x4" slides, figurines, dioramas, stereographs, fine arts prints, charts, study prints, wall pictures, records and transcriptions, models, exhibits, and kits. Organization. Audio-Visual Service functions as an integral part of Curricular Services as shown in Figure 2. Like the other Curricular Services, it is a responsibility of the Curriculum Director and is a service to the County Superintendent's staff as well as to the field. The Service itself is organized into three major units and two secondary units. (See Figure 3.) The Distribution unit is responsible for the booking, shipping and receiving of materials and equipment; the Utilization unit for the rendering of professional assistance in AUDIO-VISUAL SERVICE Figure 2: Audio-visual service within the organization of the Office of Superintendent of Schools, San Diego County. the effective selection and use of varied instructional materials; and the Technical U7iit for documenting through photography, recommending quality equipment, advising on classroom planning, and instructing in the operation of equipment. The Research-Development unit endeavors to close the gap between materials on hand and those needed, by continually developing and trying out new and effective ideas. These, in turn, are given to the Production-Repair unit to be reproduced in quantity for circulation. Minor repairs to equipment and materials are also performed by this unit. Audio-Visual Service personnel consists of the following: (1) Coordinator of Audio-Visual Service (1) Audio-Visual Coordinator (1) Technical Coordinator (I) Receptionist-Secretary (I) Booking Clerk Technical I Distribution 1 Denno, Raymond E. "Housing Facilities for a County-wide Audiovisual Service, see & hear, HI:19. (April, 1948) Figure 3: Chart of the organization of the Audio-Visual Service and facilities, San Diego County Schools. (1) Assistant Booking Clerk (1) Shipping Clerk (1) Receiving Clerk (1) Film Checker (2) Truckmen (2) Audio-Visual Illustrators (1) Repairman (i/^ time) How Service Problems Are Met Distance. To overcome the distance factors, a weekly delivery service reaches every school every week. A delivery schedule is sent out before each school year, showing each delivery day for each school for the complete year. The audio-visual and the school library materials are delivered together. Teachers request materials and indicate desired dates by requisition. The placing of telephones on extended service has improved communication with schools in the immediate area. Outlying districts telephone in emergency calls only. By continually helping teachers to make full use of the requisition, we have considerably increased the effectiveness of the Distribution unit. Workshops, demonstrations, and presentations are held in districts as well as at the Curriculum Laboratory. Source of Revenue. Offices of the county superintendents of schools in California receive money through the State's County Schools Service Fund. Audio-Visual Service receives money from this fund and through a minimum district contribution of 20 cents per a.d.a. The Service Fund allocation is a set amount in a line-item budget, and can be increased only by increased State f«nds plus approval of the State Department of Education. In June, 1949, a statistical report was presented to each district school, pointing out the savings made possible through a centralized cooperative service. The total savings amounted to more than $61,000. The problem of adequately meeting increased district requests for materials was presented to the County Administrators' Association for guidance. After careful consideration, the Association recommended that an additional "cooperative library" be set up for those districts desiring to contribute an added 30 cents per pupil in a.d.a. Over half of the districts, including 90% of the large districtSj have subscribed to the additional 30-cent program. All such revenue is included for audio-visual (continued on the following page) A Mid-Century Review 41