Social Circle Primary School


Library Media Center Handbook

Rationale

The library media center at Social Circle Primary School is the hub of the educational program. It is a resource center, a teaching center, a service center and a center for recreational reading.
The resource and service center functions of the library media center provide a place for teachers and students to gather information which can assist them in meeting goals and accomplishing objectives. Library media center materials and resources are available for teachers to use as an integral part of their curriculum. The wide variety of materials available in the library media center will provide information to students, as their full potential is reached in completing assignments.
The library media center is a teaching center. The library media specialist and classroom teacher will collaboratively plan lessons and activities that support the integration of information access skills into the curriculum. As students develop information access skills and independence with research, lesson plans will be developed to extend these skills and to encourage the use of critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills are developed when students are provided with opportunities to locate, analyze, evaluate, interpret and communicate information and ideas. The development of these skills will help to ensure that the students have a commitment to lifelong learning.
The library media center staff and volunteers at Social Circle Primary School are committed to fostering a love of reading and learning. A center for recreational reading is essential and provides an inviting place for rest and relaxation as students pursue reading, literature and learning.

Library Media Center Program Goals

1. The library media center staff will maintain a climate conducive to the students’ growth in factual knowledge, technological knowledge, library appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards.
2. The library media center staff will assist students in development of attitudes and skills that will enable them to become independent, lifelong learners.
3. The library media center staff will assist teachers in the development of the curriculum and instructional program of the school and will support students in the achievement of curricular and instructional goals.
4. The library media center staff will provide access to materials that support a wide range of student needs, abilities and interests.
5. The library media center staff will provide a framework for collaboratively planned, instructionally related and unified media services developed at our primary school.


Library Media Center Objectives

The library media center staff will . . .

Library Media Center Plan for 2007 – 2008

1. To update the Library Media Center Handbook with policy and/or procedural changes as recommended by the library media committee.
2. To continue the ongoing process of weeding and updating the collection.
3. To continue flexible scheduling and collaborative planning with an emphasis on curriculum integration.
4. To publish a quarterly library media center newsletter and send via e-mail, if possible.
5. To maintain a high standard of book selection and purchases by making the purchase of books and print material our number one priority.
6. To maintain and update the SCPS website on the internet.
7. To promote and/or provide staff development opportunities for the Primary School staff to meet our needs with technology with emphasis on information access and curriculum integration.
8. To continue the process of aligning the curricular materials and resources of the library media center with the Georgia Performance Standards as well as with the new math series, Investigations.

Book Fair

A book fair will be scheduled during the fall and spring. A half price or BOGO, Buy One Get One Free, book fair will be scheduled in May to coincide with the PTO's Summer Reading Incentive Night.  Realizing that this book fair is by invitation only, this fair will not be held in those years in which we are not invited to do so.  Proceeds from the book fair will be used to support the library media center activities and projects as determined by the library media committee.


Computers in the Media Center

The computers in the library media center are primarily used for word processing and access to the on-line catalog (OPAC) by the students. The library media center staff will assist students as they learn to use word processing programs and the on-line catalog (OPAC). Other uses should be planned with the library media specialist in cooperation with the classroom teachers.


Collaborative Planning

Instructional plans for curricular integration of information access skills should be collaboratively planned with the library media specialist. Members of a grade level team or individual teachers and the library media specialist should meet to discuss curricular integration, information access skills development and/or literature objectives to best meet the needs of students. Teaching requirements and sufficient time will be scheduled in the library media center to meet these needs. Instructional activities can be planned for an entire class, a small group of students or for an individual student.

Copyright Law Adherence

Copyrighted materials may be reproduced only under the provision of the copyright laws currently in force and according to the guidelines for classroom copying. Reproduction of copyrighted materials not within the bounds of these guidelines requires written permission of the copyright holder. (See copyright clearance form.) In no instance shall media and/or equipment be used in such a manner as to violate board policy or the law. Additional information regarding the copyright law is available in the library media center. For guidelines, see photocopying guidelines, multimedia production guidelines and videotape guidelines in the handbook.


Damaged Books

Books which are damaged and can no longer be circulated are treated the same as lost books. These books are withdrawn from the library media center collection. The student who damaged the book so badly that it cannot be circulated will be required to pay the replacement cost of the book.


Discarded Materials

Print and non print materials that contain out-of-date information, which are damaged beyond repair, or which no longer support the curriculum are withdrawn from the library media center collection. If appropriate, parts of these materials may be used by teachers in development of learning centers or classroom supplemental activities. These materials may not be given to students.
Equipment which cannot be repaired and must be discarded becomes surplus equipment. This equipment will be withdrawn from circulation and LMC records and will be disposed of according to board policy. This action will be recorded on the inventory.


Equipment

A variety of equipment is available from the library media center for use in the classroom. Equipment, such as tape recorders, CD/radio/tape combination units, listening centers, VCR’s, media carts, overhead projectors, equipment specific and/or universal remote controls can be checked out from the library media center. These types of equipment will be inventoried on the library media center inventory and permanently housed in the classroom.
Other types of equipment, such as VHS video cameras, digital video cameras, large and small screens, opaque projector, digital cameras, portable podium with microphone, VCR and TV on a media cart and portable white board should be checked out for use during the school day and returned to the library media center before 3:30 of the same day. These items should be checked out using the library’s automated check-out system.


Evaluation

The library media center program, policies and procedures shall be continually evaluated so that the best possible services can be provided to our students and teachers. The library media committee maintains responsibility for both program evaluation and advisement. Suggestions are always welcome and can be made to any member of the library media committee for discussion at the next meeting.


Georgia Book Awards

We participate in the reading and selection of the Georgia Book Award books each year. The winning book is selected by all children in Georgia who have either read the book or had the book read to them. At the primary level, the children must have read or had read to them at least ten (10) of the books from those nominated for the Georgia Picture Storybook Award. The winning books are announced each spring at the Children’s Literature Conference at the University of Georgia.


Gifts

The acceptance of instructional materials as gifts to the library media center shall be subject to the review and decisions of the library media committee. Gifts must contribute to the furtherance of the objectives of the instructional program and shall be subject to the same evaluation criteria as those used for purchasing materials. Donated materials addressing controversial issues must give balanced treatment of the issues if they are to be accepted for the school library media center. The library media specialist shall keep records of the disposition of gifts within the database of the Follett Automation System.


Hours of Operation

The library media center is open each weekday from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Students are allowed to come to the library media center as frequently as the need arises. Students should request a library media center pass from their teacher and should come individually or in groups of no more than four (4) unless accompanied by the teacher. Each student or group should have a specific purpose decided upon by the classroom teacher and should be able to relate that purpose to the library media center staff upon request.

Internet Access Policy

Internet access guidelines set forth in the Board Policy Manual of the Social Circle City School District (EXHIBIT Descriptor Code: IFBG~E) will be followed by all users of the internet and on-line services. In accordance with this statement, acceptable use is defined:
1. Use which supports the goals and educational objectives of the school,
2. Student and staff compliance with guidelines for proper use of the equipment, the internet and on-line etiquette, and
3. Specific written parental permission on the required forms for student use.
Access to the internet will allow students to research a variety of resources while communicating with people around the world. Teachers making assignments requiring internet use will review and recommend home pages and menus of materials which meet the criteria for selection of instructional materials. Through this evaluative process, teachers will provide guidance to students as they use electronic information resources.
All students will have on file an Internet access agreement signed by their parents at the beginning of the school year of their initial enrollment in the Social Circle City Schools.


Inventory

All library media center instructional materials, books and equipment shall be inventoried annually. The library media specialist shall maintain a copy of this inventory. This report includes the total number of books and instructional materials in the collection, the number added and removed during the school year and the number missing. It shall include all new, withdrawn and missing equipment.


Lost Books

Students are responsible for books checked out. Lost book notices will be sent out and/or parents will be contacted by phone or mail. If a book is lost, the student must pay the replacement cost of the book. If the book is later found, the money will be refunded. If there are outstanding lost materials at the end of the year, a report card hold will be initiated for that student.


Library Media Committee

The library media committee serves as the advisory board for library media center functions. It is composed of representatives from administration, each grade level, a parent representative and the library media specialist. The library media committee meets three times per year; during the first quarter, the last quarter and one other time, to evaluate library media center policies, procedures and programs. This evaluation will be used to determine program goals, expand and/or delete services and revise procedures as necessary.
Other functions of the library media committee may include goal development for the upcoming school year, equipment (including new technologies) and materials selection, activities selection, and reading challenged material.

New Materials

As new materials arrive and are ready to use the teachers and staff will be notified by e-mail or hard copy with a list of materials and/or resources.

Reference Materials

All reference materials are housed in the library media center and must be used in the library media center unless a very unusual circumstance arises. Please check with the library media specialist before removing a reference material from the library media center.


Reserve Books

Many times a class project or activity will require a specific collection of books. At the teacher’s request, these books may be removed from circulation for the duration of the project and placed on reserve. These books will be treated as reference books and may be used only in the library media center for ease of accessibility by students.

Room Collections

An important part of the learning environment is the materials to which students have access. Classroom collections of books and/or audiovisual materials should be changed every three to four weeks. This will make more materials available for other teachers and students to use when developing thematic units and making plans for curricular integration.


Scheduling

Many needs and objectives can best be met through the library media center. To ensure that these needs are met at the appropriate time for teachers and students, scheduling for the use of the center, when assistance or instruction is necessary, must be planned collaboratively with the library media specialist. Time may be scheduled for small groups of students or an entire class to use the library media center. 

Other activities do not require scheduling.  These include but are not limited to: individual or small group class activities, activities which the teacher themselves conduct in the media center (unless a large portion of the space is required), student's individual or small group book check-out, and book check-out which the classroom teacher conducts themselves.


Selection Policy

The Social Circle City School District philosophy of materials selection supports the premise that the primary objective of the school library media center is to implement, enrich and support the educational program of the school. To achieve this objective, the principles set forth by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in the School Library Bill of Rights must be implemented. There is a copy of the entire selection policy in the library media center. A form for reconsideration of instructional media is also available in the teacher handbook.
Suggestions for all types of materials are encouraged! You may give suggestions to the library media specialist at any time.


Special Events

Planning and scheduling for special events or programs in the library media center should involve the teacher and the library media specialist. If possible, these should relate to information access skill or to literature appreciation.


Special Requests

Special requests may be made to the library media specialist at any time. If possible, special requests should be made at least a week in advance. Requests are filled as quickly as possible and in the order in which they are given.


Student Teachers and/or Interns

Student teachers and/or interns are given an orientation session explaining services and materials available through the library media center. They have access to all services available to teachers. Student teachers and/or interns should be certain that all materials have been returned by checking with the library media specialist prior to completing their assignment at our school.

Check-Out Procedures

Teacher Check-Out Procedures:
• All books, magazines, and other materials are checked out using the barcode for the book and teacher’s name
• Books and materials may be kept as long as necessary
• Classroom collections should be changed frequently to keep all books and materials available for everyone to use
• Magazines, especially current issues, should be returned as soon as possible so other teachers can read them.
Student Check-Out Procedures:
• Students in PreK, Kindergarten and First Grade may check out one book at a time for a period of one week. Teachers in PreK and Kindergarten will determine if the books should go home with the student or not.
• Students in Second Grade may check out two books at a time for a period of one week.
• All books are to be checked out using the library automation software
• All books are to be returned two weeks prior to the end of the school year
• Books are to be checked out for a period of one week. Over-due notices will be printed monthly. Teacher’s help is requested in encouraging students to return books in a timely manner.
• Students may not check out additional books if they have over-dues. This policy will be renewed quarterly.
• Students will be charged lost book fees if the book is significantly overdue.
Equipment:
• All equipment should be checked out before it is taken from the library media center
• Equipment that is kept in the classroom should be kept in a “secure” area of the classroom and kept as free of dust as possible.
• Many pieces of equipment are kept in the equipment room of the library media center and may be checked out each day for use. This equipment may be checked out using the library automation software and should be returned to the equipment room each day by 3:30 p.m.
• Students are never allowed to move equipment on carts.

The Dewey Decimal System

000 – 099 General Works Books about books and things in encyclopedias, almanacs, etc.

100 – 199 Philosophy Opinions – especially about behavior and conduct

200 – 299 Religion Bible and mythology

300 – 399 Social Science Community, trade, travel, costumes, holidays, tales, social studies

400 – 499 Language Grammar, dictionaries

500 – 599 Science Earth, plants, animals, biology, weather, birds, math, etc.

600 – 699 Useful Arts Radio, space flight, cooking

700 – 799 Fine Arts Paintings, music, recreation

800 – 899 Literature Poetry, plays

900 – 999 History Geography, travel, biography, history of events


Media Center