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Media Center

Service Policies

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Student Policies and Services

Hours: M-W-F 7:10am to 3:00pm - Tu-Th 7:10am to 5:00pm

The media center staff is available to assist students in locating and using all library materials. We enjoy helping young adults find information very much. Both class visits and individual visits can be arranged.

Individual Visits - Pink passes are required for students using the media center. An adult staff member will check each pass. Teachers may be telephoned in their classrooms to verify passes, if we question the validity of the pass.

To come into the media center during the lunch period, a lunch pass should be picked up in the media center. The lunch pass is a ticket for one lunch period in the media center.

Students are required to sign-in and give their passes to the individual at the circulation desk upon arrival. Student book bags are kept near the LMC main door. Students should keep wallets, valuables, and purses with them, taking only the paper, pencil, pens and books they will need.

Class Visits - Students coming to the LMC with their class should wait just inside the main door for their teacher to arrive. Student book bags are kept near the LMC main door. Students should keep wallets, valuables, and purses with them, taking only the paper, pencils, pens and books they will need. When the teacher is present, students may proceed quietly to the class's assigned section, posted with an arrow and the teacher's name. Students must sit in the teacher's section during the teacher's instructions and/or a lesson or suggestions from the media specialist. Media specialist Ms. Burnett often prepares multi-page bibliographies for large projects and assignments. Upon being excused, students may use the computers, books, and other LMC resources. When a student returns to a seat, he/she must sit in the teacher's section of the media center. Typically there are two classes in the media center doing research each period. We have over 30 students on passes each period.

Students may NOT bring any FOOD or DRINKS into the media center--this includes empty drink containers. Students may leave these items at the circulation desk and pick them up when leaving.

Students should speak in a quiet voice. Students must not call out to someone several feet away.

Copy Machine - The copy machine is located opposite the main entrance near the 100 books. Each copy is 15 cents. The machine makes change for a dollar. If you want a transparency made, see Ms. Burnett. The charge is one dollar.

Checking out books, magazines, tapes, etc. - A student ID Card or a schedule is needed to check out materials, unless you are in the media center with your entire class.

1. Books may be checked out (four books at a time) unless overdue materials are already checked out. Books are checked out for two weeks and may be renewed for two more weeks. The fine for a late book is ten cents per day. Return books to the book drop outside of the media center's main entrance and at the circulation desk. We will borrow books from other libraries if we do not have what a student needs. If a student would like us to buy a particular book or other item, they may tell Ms. Burnett or write down their request and put it in the suggestion box at the circulation desk. If a student's name is on the request, the book will be delivered to the student after it is purchased and processed.

2. Reference Books may be checked out for one night. They should be returned to the media center book drop the next day. The late fine is 50 cents per day.

3. Computers - We have 46 computers that connect to the Internet and may be used for word processing or PowerPoint. Students must do only school work on these computers. Students may use their own CDs, floppies or other memory devices in the DELL computers.

4. Magazines - We have a list of magazines in several places in the media center - Click here Up to four magazines may be checked out for one week. There is a 25 cents fine, per day, if they are late. The Readers' Guide books or Infotrac will help students find articles on any subject. Click here - http://mediacenter.ocps.net

5. Vertical File - Pamphlets, pictures and newspaper clippings may be checked out for two weeks. The filing cabinets are located between the couches and reference books.

6. Audio-visual Software These items include: video-tapes, audio-tapes, records, CDs and DVDs. These items may be checked out overnight for classroom and home use. They are listed on the library catalog database by subject, title and author. Click here - http://destiny.ocps.net

Faculty Services provided by the LMC staff

1. Providing resources and learning activities that represent a diversity of experiences, opinions, social and cultural perspectives, supporting the concept that intellectual freedom and access to information are prerequisites to effective and responsible citizenship in a democracy. (American Library Association, Information Power, 1988.)

2. Providing books, magazines, audio-visuals and other resources to stimulate interest in reading for professional and individual interests and to contribute to lifelong learning.

3. Teaching information literacy (library skills) classes to individuals and class groups to meet the teacher's learning objectives and benchmarks.
a. An orientation lesson is given to each class the first time they come to the media center to do research.
b. Classes are taught to students on how to find and use books, magazine articles, computer databases, CDs, DVDs, video-tapes, audio-tapes, vertical files (pamphlets, newspaper articles, pictures) about specific subjects.
c. Lessons are given to class groups on how to use reference books and the information contained in each one. Tests are also provided on request.
d. Individual lessons on operating A-V equipment and our computers is available to teachers and students.

4. Finding information for teaching objectives, national boards, and college classes in books, references, magazines, newspaper articles, databases, video-tapes, audio-tapes, laser disks, and Internet sites, in this media center and other libraries.

5. Ordering new books, magazines, video-tapes, audio-tapes, databases, etc:
a. from specific or general teacher requests and surveys,
b. to preview,
c. from other libraries,
d. and after personal evaluation and examination by the media specialist.

6. Consulting with teachers about their curriculum objectives and suggesting:
a. teaching strategies,
b. appropriate resources and instructional materials,
c. and learning activities which develop cognitive strategies for selecting, retrieving, analyzing, evaluating, synthesizing and creating information at all levels of difficulty and in all curriculum content areas.

7. Taping educational programs from cable and satellite TV
a. Cataloging each tape (26 procedures)
b. Entering each tape in our circulation computer, so that they may be found by subject or title.
c. Removing the tapes from the shelves when the expiration date arrives.

8. Informing an individual of the arrival of new items purchased specifically for that person and/or his students.

9. Pulling books from the shelves, putting books on a reserve cart and compiling bibliographies for specific lesson and unit plans.

10. Providing computer assistance for those using the computers in the media center.

11. Providing a quiet place for teachers to work--the PRC, magazine room or glassed-in classroom.

12. Compiling and distributing lists of new books and audio-visual items.

13. Delivering equipment, audio visual media, books, etc. to the classrooms.

14. Repairing and cleaning audio-visual equipment.

15. Duplicating educational or school sports-related video-tapes. We will NOT duplicate a copyrighted video-tape of any kind. It is against the law.

16. Giving group and individual tours of the media center.

17. Opening the media center at 6:45 A.M. for teachers. Faculty should call Betty Bonicioli at extension 2263 if they want to enter before 7:10 A.M..

18. Making transparencies from a printed page on our copy machines. Department chairman provide their teachers with transparency pens, white board markers and blank transparencies if more than five transparencies are needed. Call or see Betty Bonicioli for blank transparencies that may be written on.

19. Laminating paper items, including posters, up to 24" wide.

Faculty Policies

1. We encourage teachers to check out materials, and strongly encourage teachers to return materials when they are no longer being used.

2. Return reference materials as soon as possible.

3. Lost books may be replaced or a donation may be made with a book of equal value.

4. We prefer to have students check out materials directly from the LMC rather than indirectly through a teacher. In other words, please do not check out a book in your name and give it to a student to take home.

5. Notify the LMC at least one day in advance when books are to be placed on reserve, or when you want a lesson to be taught to your class(es). Tell us the number of days books should be kept on reserve and if the books can be checked out overnight, for two weeks, or not at all.

6. Overdue notices to students for late media center materials will be delivered to first period teachers. Please distribute the notices. If the student is no longer in your class, return the notice with a note, call 2235, or e-mail Mangans@ocps.net

Faculty Policies for Checking Out A-V Equipment

1. A-V clerk Mrs. Betty Bonicioli is in charge of distributing equipment and bulbs, among other duties. Her extension is 2263. Her e-mail is bonicib@ocps.net

2. Schedule A-V equipment deliveries to your room at least 24 hours in advance. Specify the date, period and room desired for delivery and pick up. Mrs. Bonicioli arranges for delivery and pick up if she has a student assistant. Transport audio-visual equipment via the 100, 200, or 300 building hallways. The rough pavement in the patio area between the 100 and 200 building causes equipment to fall off the carts.

3. Bulbs - Do not move a projector when it is hot. The motion will burn out the bulb prematurely. If a bulb on an Elmo HP-L14 overhead projector goes out, it could just be resting. The thermal switch shuts the lamp off when the machine gets too hot. When it cools, it will work again. Some types of overhead projectors have two bulbs inside. Let us know if you need help changing bulbs. If you need a bulb, we need the projector inventory number (written in white magic marker) to provide the correct bulb. We have more than 50 kinds of bulbs. The bulb costs vary, LCD and DLP projector bulbs cost $400 each.

4. Some department chairmen purchase equipment for use of those teachers in that department. A-V equipment, materials, and supplies are under the supervision of the LMC, regardless of who or how these items were purchased. We must know the location of all items for the annual county inventory. All A-V equipment belongs to the school and not to individuals or departments. Equipment not being used regularly should be returned to the LMC.

5. Equipment should be operated by teachers or trained students.

6. Equipment for the auditorium will be delivered, set up, dismantled, and removed from the room by Mrs. Bonicioli.

7. Video equipment is signed out on a first come, first served basis. You may reserve this equipment well in advance.

8. Call ext. 2263 to report poor reception on closed circuit and cable TV.

9. Loans of camcorders, VCRs, overhead projectors, etc. for home use, require faculty members to fill out a Property 4 form with Mrs. Bonicioli.

10. Equipment may be checked out to students for school assignments.

11. Old, unsightly overhead projectors may be upgraded by calling ext.2263.

Faculty Policy for Checking Out A-V Software/Materials

1. Provide as much advance notice as possible when requesting software (video-tapes, slides, audio-tapes, etc.) Audio-visual software is listed in our OPAC computers by title and subject. Teachers should have an icon on their desktop labeled "media center resources". Click on it, then click on OPAC or Destiny.

2. All A-V materials should be previewed before purchase, by borrowing them from another school.

3. Check out all A-V software (video-tapes, audio-tapes, laser disks, etc.) with Betty B. or at the circulation desk. The barcode must be scanned on each item.

4. Teachers must write their name and room number on the back of everything to be laminated. Items may be sent to the media center with a student. They will be ready for a student to pick up 24 hours later.

5. CDs, DVDs and books-on-tape may be requested at the circulation desk. They are in our OPAC database by title and subject. We will provide a list on request.

Faculty Policy on Scheduling Classes to Meet in the Media Center

1. Teachers may schedule their classes into the LMC by checking with Mary Burnett ext. 2235 or e-mail at burnetm@ocps.net. In order to provide sufficient resources, she will ask the following:
a. Will you provide your students with a list of 35 or more research topics from which to choose? Will each student in the class sign up for a different subject? (I.e. if ten students pick volcanoes, the sources available may not be sufficient.)
b. Will all students know their research topics before coming to the media center? This is not always possible, however, if they have signed up for their topic in advance, their time here will be devoted to research.
c. Please send the list of research topics to Mary two days in advance, so she can gather the references, mark them and determine if a bibliography should be prepared for each student.
d. How many references or sources will students need on their topics? To further develop student research skills, consider requiring at least one each of the following: encyclopedia articles, books, reference books, magazine articles, Internet sites, video-tapes, DVDs, CDs and databases.
e. Should LMC provide bibliography fill-in sheets? This form gives the students labeled blanks for: title of source, title of article, author, publisher, edition, pages, volume, date, and call number. When filled in, students will be able to create bibliography pages.
f. Would you like the media specialist to instruct the students how to use the various sources? Which ones? How many minutes do you want the media specialist to spend teaching your students?
g. Will you have another assignment ready for the students who say, "I've finished this assignment. It is at home." These are students who usually just sit and talk all period or get into mischief. Please have a plan ready for them.
h. Will the students be required to have completed some written work by the end of each period? What will that be? If they don't have such a goal, some students will not use their time wisely.

2. Remind your classes the day before you visit the media center about proper library behavior. We do not allow students to bring food or drink into the media center. When they want to talk to you, they should walk up to you and not yell your name across the library.

3. When your class arrives in the media center, the students will be asked to leave their book bags at the door and keep their purses, money and other valuables on their person. Books and papers needed for your class should also be taken from the book bag. The students may not sit down until you arrive.

4. Your classes will be assigned to sit on the side of the LMC near the windows or in the middle. A sign will direct you. Your classes will be sitting closest to the reference books they will use.

5. Teachers are expected to stay with their classes, assist them, maintain discipline, keep them quiet and on task.

6. Teachers may ask students who are not members of their class to sit in another section of the LMC. The tables closest to the tall book stacks are designated for students on passes.

7. Teachers should feel free to assist the media specialist in disciplining any student who does not exhibit proper library behavior, whether the student is in that teacher's class or not.

8. You may meet your class in the LMC and dismiss them from the LMC at the end of the period.

9. Teachers should not schedule their classes into the LMC on days they will be absent.

Faculty Policy on Sending an Individual Student to the Media Center

1. Students need a pink pass to come into the LMC, except before school and after school. Passes are required during lunch. Students may get lunch passes from us between 7:10 A.M. and 10:30 A.M.. Teachers may also write a lunch pass for a student who has an assignment.

2. Library passes should have the student's name, destination, time, date and the teacher's signature. To save time, you may have the student fill in the pass before you sign it.

3. The maximum number of students you may send is five.

4. Each student should have his/her own pass, especially if they will leave the LMC at different times. If they will come and leave as a group, one pass may be used.

5. There is a library clerk on duty at the door each period to check passes while they do other work.

6. Students without a proper pass may be sent back to class.

Example of "Behind the Scenes" Media Center Services -
The Steps Involved in Processing a New Book

Before a new book is ready to be checked out, the library staff must do the following tasks:

1. Stamp Edgewater High in five specific places in the book.

2. Laminate covers of paperbacks with Kapko laminate.

3. Put tape on the entire spine of trade edition books.

4. Remove paper jackets from books and laminate them.

5. Cut jackets after they are laminated.

6. Tape jackets to books using filament tape.

7. Affix pocket to inside back book cover, if possible.

8. Check computer to see if we have other copies of the title.

9. Type a shelf list card for books that don't have one in the shelf list drawers.

10. Put a note on the cart when done typing all cards.

11. Stop here until Mary adds Dewey Decimal call numbers and subjects to shelf list card.

12. Type the Dewey Decimal Number on the shelf list card.

13. Put typed cards into center top of book-sticking up 2 inches.

14. Add color-coded label if it is a paperback fiction or paperback story collection book.

15. Write call number on color-coded label.

16. Tape color-coded label to book.

17. Affix barcode to shelf list card. Put it on the blank side of the card. The hole is at the top of the card. The bar code is on the bottom.

18. Put barcode on book, with the "E" for Edgewater near top of book on the left hand corner.

19. Put tape on book's barcode label.

20. Type call number labels for spines.

    a. Type on two or three lines vertically if possible
    b. If a book has a very narrow spine, type call number on one line, horizontally on sticker.

21. Put call number label on spine of book.

22. Cover spine call number label with protective tape.

23. Add a reference label to reference books and tape them.

24. Stamp "OVERNIGHT ONLY" on pocket of reference books.

25. Type shelf list card information into computer.

26. Check shelf list card and book against computer.

How I Buy Books for the Media Center
by M. Burnett, National Board Certified Teacher and Media Specialist

I would like to thank Mr. Blocker for encouraging principals to hire media specialists. However, some people think anyone can buy books for a school library. Do they know that media specialists are certified teachers and librarians? Does the public library hire clerks to run the children's department? No. And the public librarians don't even teach research skills, classes of 35 students, or buy books to align with a specific curriculum. I'd like to share with you how the books are selected at Edgewater High. A teacher asked me how I decide what books to buy for the library media center. I thought you would be interested in the many ways I add to our collection of 21,000 books..

* Students and teachers suggest books that I buy. They tell me the titles or subjects they want, either in person, on e-mail or in the suggestion box that is near my office. I deliver the books or notify the people when the books are ready to check out.

* When students do research papers, I go to the bookstores (fastest method) after school and shop for books about subjects they are researching, if our media center doesn't have much information on that subject. I notify the individual student when the book is ready to be checked out.

* If a teacher is starting a major unit or research project on a subject that hasn't been researched in the past, I buy books on that subject at bookstores--to have them in time for the students to use.

* I visit bookstores and look at the sale books for subjects we need.

* I buy books for the accelerated reader program.

* I buy books from "Librarian's Tools" . Written by librarians, teachers and scholars, these books recommend books on various subjects as good for high school students. They include annotations or summaries arranged by subject. Some that I use are Senior High School Library Catalog, Books for You by the National Council of Teachers of English, Best Books for Young Adults, Genreflecting, and 100 World-Class Thin Books.

* I buy books that win awards and prizes like Newbery Award and runners up (If appropriate for high school), Coretta Scott King Award books and others on recommended, annotated lists compiled by the American Library Association.

* Some books are donated to the library. I add the ones that I think will be read for pleasure or that augment the curriculum and are in good condition.

* I buy books that are on English teacher's suggested reading lists that are not already a part of the collection.

* Once a year I go through our 1260 fiction paperback books and remove from circulation the old, yellow ones. I buy replacements to take their place if students still read the books that are weeded.

* I go through our 2113 reference books and buy the latest edition of ones that are old or have had new editions published, such as: occupational books, encyclopedias, handbooks, almanacs, dictionaries, books about countries, people, history, science, math...

* I buy new copies of classic fiction books, if the students request them, or I think they will do so eventually.

* I buy replacement copies of books that are very worn, but still have useful information. Or I buy new editions of the book, if not out-of-print.

* I buy new books for the subject areas that are researched every year, such as: Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, artists, biomes, African American History, authors, literary criticism, careers, China, countries, leaders, Decades Project, fashion, social issues, dinosaurs, diseases, presidents, famous people, genocide, mythology, holocaust, immigrants, inventions, hot spots in the world, American and British literature, love poetry, famous poetry, drugs, mammals, Middle Ages, Renaissance, endangered species, science fairs, solar system, space, time lines, court cases, U.S. and world history, earth science (elements, weather, volcanoes, earthquakes) genetics, technology, computers.

* When I visit other school libraries for meetings, or go to public libraries in all of the cities I visit, I look at their books and write down the titles of ones I should buy for our media center.

* I buy books that other media specialists recommend at meetings, workshops and conferences--if I think our students would like them or they align with our curriculum.

* I buy books that I examine when I go to the media specialists' state convention.

* I buy books for the media center from museums, art galleries, and places of interest in this state, other states and other countries.

* I interview science fair participants and ask them if we had enough resources for them. I ask those students to suggest good books they found in other libraries that we should have here.

* About a third of our books come from bookstores, a third from individual publishers and a third from jobbers--companies that handle books from many publishers.

* Before I buy each non-fiction book, I examine it for copyright date, reputable publisher, format, text, reading level, arrangement, index, table of contents, illustrations, binding quality. I took book selection classes as part of my undergraduate and graduate library and education degrees.

* I have to take all of the needs and requests and fit them into my budget. I issue about 40 purchase orders a year for various media center items.

* When a book arrives, each one has to be put through 26 steps before it is ready to be checked out. Even when the books are "pre-processed" and come with a computer disk I can download, they must go through 24 steps.

* These same procedures are used for video tapes, DVDs and CDs. Mrs. Bonicioli does most of the work on finding and processing videos that match your requests.

* Buying books is one of the 473 tasks I was evaluated on by the Southern States Evaluation Committee several years ago.

* Most of these book selection, buying and processing procedures I do are done after 2:30p.m. During the student day, I help the students and teachers find, evaluate, use and synthesize information or teaching research classes, or preparing bibliographies, or any of those other 473 tasks media specialists perform.