Library Mission
The mission of the Macon-Hall Elementary Library and Media Center is to provide the space and materials to help students become life-long lovers of literature and reading. The library is used by students, teachers, administrators and the school community for checking out materials, working on projects, using the facilities for testing, or for small group instruction.
The Library Media Specialist (LMS), through instruction, hopes to ensure that students establish critical thinking skills and become effective users of ideas and information.
Objectives
The goals of the LMS are:
1. To teach students to access, evaluate, and use information.
2. To maintain a well-balanced collection of media appropriate to the needs of the school.
3. To provide assistance in locating and using instructional materials.
4. To promote instruction in information literacy to students and faculty.
5. To provide instructional materials that will stimulate growth in factual
knowledge and literary appreciation.
6. To manage a planned program and a welcoming environment.
Selection Policy
The needs of the Macon-Hall Elementary Library and Media Center are based on knowledge of the curriculum and of the existing collection. These needs are given first consideration in the selection of materials used to enhance the classroom curriculum.
Selection Criteria
The following criteria are a guide to selecting the best resources for the library media center:
• Literary and artistic excellence
• Lasting importance or significance to a field of knowledge
• Support of the curriculum and educational goals of the school
• Favorable reviews found in standard selection sources
• Favorable recommendations by educational professionals
• Reputation and significance of the author, illustrator, or publisher
• Timeliness of the material
• Contribution to the diversity of the collection
• Appeal to media center patrons
• Suitability for intended use
Request for Media Center Purchases
Because the media center strives to support the curriculum needs of the patrons, faculty members are strongly encouraged to take an active role in media center purchases. Requests for purchases are always welcome.
Challenged Material Policy
Any materials challenged by a member of the community must go through the Procedures for Challenged Material as set forth by the school district. See "Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of Materials" in the SCS Library Procedures Manual.
Challenged Materials Committee
The responsibility of the Challenged Materials Committee is to evaluate a resource or material owned by Macon-Hall Library that has been requested to be removed from the shelves by staff, parent or any other member of the community.
Committee Members are the current school year grade chairs and the President of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The librarian will notify the grade chair teachers and PTO president each year regarding the Challenged Materials Committee. If material is challenged, the librarian will notify the committee, principal, and SCS library services.
Tasks of the Committee:
REVIEW
DISCUSS
REPORT
Check Out Policy
I believe students should be free to select books that interest them. If a student wishes to learn about a particular subject, I will attempt to guide him/her to an appropriate level book on that subject. I try to monitor ZPD levels, to ensure students are checking out books that are both challenging and can be successfully comprehended. However, I am very flexible regarding ZPD levels. I feel that every reader has times in which they read above or below their reading level. This combats “reader’s fatigue”. The majority of the time, I expect students to read within their range. However, if teachers or parents have requests for constantly staying within a specific ZPD range, I will honor that and monitor the student as best I can.
Checkout Limits
Checkout Periods
Overdue Policy
Damaged and Lost Book Policy
Curriculum
Our library curriculum covers several topics including:
Library Media Center Hours of Operation
The Macon-Hall Elementary Library and Media Center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. every school day. Students come to library during their scheduled class time. Students in 3rd-5th grade may come being 9:00 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. (until the end of the morning announcements) for open circulation. 2nd graders may begin using open circulation after the first 9 weeks. Only two students from a class at a time may come during open circulation and they must have their open circulation library card or they will be turned away. Faculty members are welcome to browse and pick up materials in person or notify the librarian of needs via email or student messenger, I complete teacher requests are quickly as I am able.
Library Rules
Rules
Computer Rules
Rewards
I use a whole class clip system and the clip moves up if the class agrees that they have met the expectations in library. Students are rewarded for good behavior with individual praise, stickers and additional library privileges. I also have a "Caught Being Good" bowl for students and will randomly select names from it to give away a free book.
Consequences
The mission of the Macon-Hall Elementary Library and Media Center is to provide the space and materials to help students become life-long lovers of literature and reading. The library is used by students, teachers, administrators and the school community for checking out materials, working on projects, using the facilities for testing, or for small group instruction.
The Library Media Specialist (LMS), through instruction, hopes to ensure that students establish critical thinking skills and become effective users of ideas and information.
Objectives
The goals of the LMS are:
1. To teach students to access, evaluate, and use information.
2. To maintain a well-balanced collection of media appropriate to the needs of the school.
3. To provide assistance in locating and using instructional materials.
4. To promote instruction in information literacy to students and faculty.
5. To provide instructional materials that will stimulate growth in factual
knowledge and literary appreciation.
6. To manage a planned program and a welcoming environment.
Selection Policy
The needs of the Macon-Hall Elementary Library and Media Center are based on knowledge of the curriculum and of the existing collection. These needs are given first consideration in the selection of materials used to enhance the classroom curriculum.
Selection Criteria
The following criteria are a guide to selecting the best resources for the library media center:
• Literary and artistic excellence
• Lasting importance or significance to a field of knowledge
• Support of the curriculum and educational goals of the school
• Favorable reviews found in standard selection sources
• Favorable recommendations by educational professionals
• Reputation and significance of the author, illustrator, or publisher
• Timeliness of the material
• Contribution to the diversity of the collection
• Appeal to media center patrons
• Suitability for intended use
Request for Media Center Purchases
Because the media center strives to support the curriculum needs of the patrons, faculty members are strongly encouraged to take an active role in media center purchases. Requests for purchases are always welcome.
Challenged Material Policy
Any materials challenged by a member of the community must go through the Procedures for Challenged Material as set forth by the school district. See "Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of Materials" in the SCS Library Procedures Manual.
Challenged Materials Committee
The responsibility of the Challenged Materials Committee is to evaluate a resource or material owned by Macon-Hall Library that has been requested to be removed from the shelves by staff, parent or any other member of the community.
Committee Members are the current school year grade chairs and the President of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The librarian will notify the grade chair teachers and PTO president each year regarding the Challenged Materials Committee. If material is challenged, the librarian will notify the committee, principal, and SCS library services.
Tasks of the Committee:
REVIEW
- Read or view the challenged book or material
- Review Library Bill of Rights from the ALA website and other materials pertaining to the Constitutional right to freedom of speech. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
- Read Macon-Hall’s book selection policy
- Read professional reviews from a credible source of the item in question.
DISCUSS
- Hear all opinions from committee and person who challenged the material. The hearing could be a public event, for more information see the ALA website: http://www.ala.org/bbooks/challengedmaterials/support/hearing
- Discuss best course of action
REPORT
- Report the findings to the principal and SCS Library Services
- Write a letter to notify the complainant of the decision and resolution.
Check Out Policy
I believe students should be free to select books that interest them. If a student wishes to learn about a particular subject, I will attempt to guide him/her to an appropriate level book on that subject. I try to monitor ZPD levels, to ensure students are checking out books that are both challenging and can be successfully comprehended. However, I am very flexible regarding ZPD levels. I feel that every reader has times in which they read above or below their reading level. This combats “reader’s fatigue”. The majority of the time, I expect students to read within their range. However, if teachers or parents have requests for constantly staying within a specific ZPD range, I will honor that and monitor the student as best I can.
Checkout Limits
- Kindergarten students do not check out books the first semester. Books can be checked out to the teacher for classroom use.
- Kindergarten students may begin checking out books from the Easy Reader section during the second semester.
- 1st grade students may select 1 book for check out. Beginning the second 9 weeks, 1st grade students may select 2 books. K and 1st grade may not take books home.
- 2nd through 5th grade students may select 2 books at a time and are allowed to take their books home.
- 1st and 2nd grade students begin check out in the Easy Reader sections of the library and add additional genres throughout the school year after they are introduced in library class. Third through fifth grade students are welcome to select books from all sections of the library, so they can enjoy various types of literature.
- Students in 3rd through 5th grade are encouraged to select one fiction book and one non-fiction book they can read independently. We spend time discussing books for independent reading, exploring books by various authors and illustrators, and using the "five finger test" to judge the readability of a book. We also involve our students in the Accelerated Reader program which encourages reading at their current proximal level of independent reading.
- If your 2nd-5th grade student selects a book which they do not like, or one which you do not like, or feel is appropriate, please have them return the book the next day during open circulation and select another. If your child consistently makes selections which you feel are inappropriate, please feel free to contact me.
- Staff may check out up to 50 books or materials (this includes equipment). Teachers, please be considerate and refrain from checking out all of the books on a particular author or subject. If another teacher wants to use a book you have checked out, please return it so that we can switch the book onto their card. This not only helps us keep track of the books, but also helps our circulation statistics. Items checked out are due back by the end of the year.
Checkout Periods
- Books are checked out for a 2 week period and may be renewed for an additional 2 weeks if needed, as long as no other student is waiting for the book.
- Students may check out and return books during their library rotation time or during open circulation times.
- Staff please return your books each 9 week period.
- All books must be returned during Christmas and Summer Break. An exception is made for 4th and 5th graders who may have 1 book checked out during the Christmas break. Teachers may keep their books checked out that they are using for planning over Christmas break.
Overdue Policy
- We do not charge a fine for overdue books. Overdue notices are sent out on a routine basis, usually each nine weeks. Students with an overdue book or books may not check out additional books until the overdue items are returned. Parents, if you notice your child is not bringing home new books, please ask if a book is considered lost or overdue. Sometimes, you send the book back, but it does not make it to the library.
- Students who have chronic overdues may have borrowing privileges revoked or limited, or have books they need for assignments signed out to their teacher, so they may complete an assignment.
- Students who do not return items at the end of year will not be allowed to participate in end of year celebrations or field day. Their report card will also be held in the office if necessary.
Damaged and Lost Book Policy
- Most children are responsible and if a book becomes accidentally damaged, we stress the responsibility to report. Honesty now can save heartache later. If a book page accidentally rips, please do not attempt to repair it at home. We use special book tapes and glue, which resist heat and won't discolor. Return the book with a note and we will gladly repair it.
- If a book becomes damaged beyond use, you will be billed for the replacement cost. A notice will be sent home with your child to inform you of the replacement cost. Students with damaged/lost book fees may not check out additional books until the fees are paid. I will accept, a new, hardback replacement copy.
- Students should not allow other students to borrow books checked out on their library card. I find that the majority of lost books are ones which were lent to another class member. It is the child who has the books checked out who is responsible for replacement. A bill will be sent for lost books, if the items are not returned by the end of each semester. Books may not be kept out over the Christmas or summer holidays. I attempt to instill a sense of responsibility for the library and its books. This means students are responsible for caring for books, using a bookmark, and renewing and returning books on time, so others may borrow them.
- Any items checked out at the time a student withdraws from school must be returned or paid for upon withdrawal.
Curriculum
Our library curriculum covers several topics including:
- library behavior
- book parts
- library call numbers
- literary genres
- story elements
- research techniques
- independent use of the library
- In addition we use library instruction time to make cross-curricular connections whenever possible to geography, history, science, math, art, language arts, and music.
- Proper care of library materials is stressed in all grades. Please help your student designate a safe place at home, like a backpack or shelf, to store library books
Library Media Center Hours of Operation
The Macon-Hall Elementary Library and Media Center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. every school day. Students come to library during their scheduled class time. Students in 3rd-5th grade may come being 9:00 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. (until the end of the morning announcements) for open circulation. 2nd graders may begin using open circulation after the first 9 weeks. Only two students from a class at a time may come during open circulation and they must have their open circulation library card or they will be turned away. Faculty members are welcome to browse and pick up materials in person or notify the librarian of needs via email or student messenger, I complete teacher requests are quickly as I am able.
Library Rules
- Respect all library materials.
- Everything has a correct place.
- Always share by returning on time.
- Do your best to keep a quiet voice.
Rules
- Use a quiet voice so as not to disturb other media center patrons.
- Voices off while the librarian is talking or reading.
- Take care of all library materials. Keep shelf markers still.
- Walk, use library voice during check out and follow proper check out procedure.
- Bring library books for return when you have library class.
- Keep hands, feet, objects and negative comments to yourself.
- Listen and follow directions from all library staff.
- Attention Signals - I use "Give Me Five" when I need the students attention or need the students correct their behavior. This year, I may use a chime when the students need to change centers or are working in a group and I need to give further instructions.
Computer Rules
- All students are allowed access to the computers.
- Students must have signed and returned the Internet Acceptable Use Policy in order to use the Internet. The AUPs are filed in the main office or with the teacher.
- Students may use the Internet only for research purposes. Students may not check personal e-mail, play recreational games, or social network sites. Since there is only one printer, students must ask for permission before printing.
Rewards
I use a whole class clip system and the clip moves up if the class agrees that they have met the expectations in library. Students are rewarded for good behavior with individual praise, stickers and additional library privileges. I also have a "Caught Being Good" bowl for students and will randomly select names from it to give away a free book.
Consequences
- Verbal warning.
- 2nd infraction: Student will be able to state the infraction and will be separated from other classmates for a 5 minute time-out.
- 3rd infraction: Teacher notified and loss of check out privilege for the class period.
- 4 or more infractions: Letter sent home to be signed by parent.
- If misbehavior is severe, warning system will be bypassed and the student will be sent to the office.