The Media Center program strives to develop media information skills and inspire a love for reading in all students. Students are encouraged to read quality books that are at or above their grade level and to read from many genres such as mystery, poetry, folk literature, biographies, autobiographies, science fiction, historical fiction and realistic fiction to see what genre they enjoy most. Students learn to locate their books independently using the Dewey Decimal System.

The Media Center program incorporates technology to prepare students to function in an information age. Students will use online catalogs used by our school as well as our local, county and state libraries; learn how to search an online encyclopedia; and learn how to evaluate the accuracy and authenticity of a website.

1. Choose a book that you would like to borrow.
2. Find a page to read near the middle of the book with lots of words and few or no pictures.
3. Start reading aloud in a whisper so you can hear the places where you are having difficulty.
4. Put up one finger for each word you don't know. If you put up five fingers before you reach the end of the page, wave the book "goodbye," it is not a good choice for right now. Try it again later in the year.
5. If you know all the words, but are reading very slowing and decoding almost every word, you will not enjoy this book.

• Always wash and dry your hands before handling library books.
  

• Never eat or drink or have food near library books.

• Keep pencils, pens, markers and other school supplies away from library books at all times.

• When taking notes from a library book, keep your paper on the table or desk, not on the book itself.

• Turn pages carefully using the top corner.

• Always use a bookmark to mark your place, NEVER dog-ear the pages and NEVER place it down on the open pages - it damages the spine.

• Keep your library books DRY and SAFE!
  • Put books in a waterproof bag when you carry them between school and home in the same backpack as snacks and drinks.
  • When it's raining, put your books in your backpack where they'll stay clean & dry.
  • Carry books securely to keep them from falling on the ground.

• Keep all library materials away from pets and younger siblings.

• At home, pick a safe spot to keep library books and return books to the safe spot after each reading.

• If you notice damaged library materials, please tell Mrs. Mills or Mrs. Asaro immediately.

Policies and Procedures

Media Borrowing
Every media class visit includes a media exchange. Students are encouraged to borrow new media every two weeks. Students may borrow varying amounts of materials depending on their grade level and classroom project requirements. All books can be renewed, but they must be present at the time of renewal.

Selection Policy
The library media center is the place where students can explore and learn about the things that are interesting to them. We try to guide them to the most appropriate choices for their age, interest and reading levels. Sometimes this can be a challenging task! If you find that your student has selected a book that he or she does not like, or that you feel is inappropriate, please send it back the following day so that another book can be chosen. An occasional "oops" in the selection process is to be expected, and is part of the problem solving and critical thinking process.

Overdue Policy
Library media center resources are shared by everyone in the school. Students are responsible for returning their library books on time. If they have books that are overdue for more than one week, they will not be permitted to take out a new book until the overdue ones have been returned whether or not they have reached their grade level limit. Overdue books are unfair to other students who are waiting to read them.

Damaged Books
Minor damages like small tears or pencil marks often can be repaired in the media center. Books beyond repair, or those damaged by food or liquid cannot be re-shelved with our regular collection and a replacement copy must be purchased. Parents will be notified as to the cost of the replacement book.

To avoid damage to books that are carried in the same backpack or book bag with snack and lunch, we encourage students to enclose their library books in a waterproof/plastic bag for transport between school and home.

Lost Books
Students are responsible for their library books. If lost, their parents will be notified of the cost to replace the book.

Volunteer Opportunities

Circulation Clerk
A Circulation Clerk checks books into the library, matching the check-out card with the returned book. They help students to check out their new books with signed check-out cards and stamped due dates. Time permitting, you return books to our neatly organized shelves. Volunteer for a time when your child is in the Media Center.
Contact: Christine Lupia-Fugere or Marie Asaro

The Caldecott Medal is given to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

The Newbery Medal is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

Magazine Research Database

Online Encyclopedia

Online Database

Online Encyclopedia

Online Encyclopedia
Password Needed

Online Encyclopedia
Password Required

Password Needed

Please see Mrs. Lupia-Fugere for passwords as needed.