Jackson High School Library

JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY

HANDBOOK

Erika Sullivan: Media Specialist

MEDIA CENTER HOURS:

7:30-3:30 Monday--Friday

Open until 4:00 Tuesday-Thursday

I will be glad to work with students if additional times are needed.

MEDIA CENTER STAFF:

Erika Sullivan Media Specialist

Telephone number: (251) 602-8970

MISSION STATEMENT

The Library Media Program at
Jackson High School is committed to helping
students achieve success in academics, be
effective users of information and
become lifelong learners.

Goals and Objectives:

To provide a pleasant, creative and safe learning environment
To facilitate the use of information in a variety of formats
To take an active role in supporting curriculum and providing

materials which meet a variety of learning styles

To empower students to be independent and efficient life-long

Learners

To instill an appreciation of reading by assisting students with

literary selection

To create media literate consumers by providing students with

research strategies to develop critical thinking.

JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY

FACULTY PROCEDURES

LIBRARY PASSES: During class time students must have a written

pass. We accept three (3) students at a time from one teacher per class

period. All students’ names must be listed on the individual pass. The

teacher must sign the pass and make sure that the students have an

assignment to complete. The research topic and purpose should be

clear to the student for the visit to the library. The library maintains an

academic environment and students who are not responsibly working

will be asked to return to class. Passes are not needed during lunch

waves.

CHECKOUT:

All staff members are patrons in the library and are encouraged to

borrow library materials. All materials/equipment may be checked out by

the staff though some are on set limits due to high usage/low availability.

Talk to a librarian about checking out Reference books; we do request

you return these promptly. Responsibility for items checked out is

placed on the individual person who checks them out. Please

return them in the same condition as when they were received. Staff

does not pay overdue fines.

Equipment or videos in need of maintenance or repair should be

returned with a note detailing the problem. Repair of all equipment goes

through the library.

Jackson High School Library follows District policies and current

LIBRARY CLASSES: We are available to conduct the following classes.

A request of one week in advance is appreciated or schedule at the

beginning of a semester.

Library Orientation

oFor teachers new to our school, this session will cover

sources available in the library and the procedures for

scheduling library. Audiovisual and hardware

information is also given.

oFreshman Orientation: An introduction to the library that

covers:

1. Rules and procedures for checking out a book

2. Identification of the layout and location of items in the

Library

3. Introduction to AVL databases

4. Expectations and conduct while using the library

5. Evaluating a website

The Research Paper Assistance

A short introduction that reviews the data bases introduced

in the orientation class. It is a good idea to request this prior to

library research for a specific research paper or writing project.

Students should have already selected a topic for research prior to

coming to the library. The first part of the period should be spent

searching to determine if enough information can be found for their

chosen topic.

Also covered are

Keyword searches

Boolean searches

Search engines

Bibliographic and citation formats on the web

TEACHER COLLABORATION: We are able to plan your research unit with you. Information has been prepared that will assist

your students with their research and made available on most

computers. Students do best when they understand that research is a

process or set of strategies or steps. In addition they feel more

confidence if they know what their final outcome or project should look

like by viewing quality samples. For information skills development you

should ask yourself the following before bringing students to the library

to research:

Why are we doing this?
What specific concepts do we want the students to learn?
How will the student gather (extract) information?
How will the student record information?
How will the student process/organize information?
Is there enough information available in the library?
Have I provided quality web sites to the students or asked thelibrarian for assistance?
How will the student produce his/her findings?
How will the student be evaluated?
What can I do to make the research experience successful for my

students?

SUPPLIES: Whenever you are scheduled in the library or lab, please

bring your own classroom supplies (passes, pencils, etc.)

RESERVING the LIBRARY: Work with the librarian to place you

on the calendar when reserving the library (up to three days

consecutively).

Identify topic students will be researching. Remember to schedule the

library computer lab if you need full class access to the computers. The

library is very busy during lunch waves and will not be

as quiet an atmosphere if you bring your classes at those times. If

requested we can close the library to walk-in traffic during that time.

TEACHER RESOURCES: Jackson High School Library maintains a

Professional Development area for materials useful in the classroom

and to further growth in our profession.

It should be stressed this area is for teachers only. The only time a

student should be in this area is when we have a library student shelving

books.

materials.

TIPS FOR USING THE INTERNET:

determine that the Internet is the most appropriate resource

for the assignment

pre-select sites and create bookmarks
be sure the links are up to date (things change quickly on

the web)

make sure the necessary helper applications and plug-ins

(such as Real Player or Acrobat Reader) are installed

instruct and review the mechanics of using the Internet (for

example how to save and download text and graphics; copy

and paste text to a Word document to print; print preview)

recommend the best search engines to use
clearly state what information students are to gather
provide instruction about good search strategies
talk with students about Saraland’s Acceptable Use

Policy

talk with students about copyright guidelines
teach them how to take notes and cite their resources
develop a “Plan B” for students who may not use the

Internet or if technical problems (server down) occur

JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY

STUDENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Jackson High School Library offers the school a quiet and

safe place to study, read, and locate information on a variety of topics.

Students are welcome to use the library and all equipment/materials

before and after school, during lunch and as needed during class time.

They are expected to show concern and respect for all persons and

equipment/materials by using the library in a responsible manner.

Students who create disturbances will be asked to leave and may lose

their library privileges for a period of time.

All rules in the JHS Student Handbook and School DistrictDiscipline Policies will be adhered to.
Students who enter the library during a class period are requiredto have a pass unless they are with a scheduled library class.
It is the students’ responsibility to pick up their signed pass andhave it signed before leaving the library.
No food/drink or gum.
Students leaving the library with a book not properly checked-outwill be written up and disciplinary measures taken.
MP3 players, I Pods, and assorted handhelds are not allowed. Although Ereaders are allowed
No computer may be used for recreation (games, personal e-mail).

CHECK IT OUT!

Up to two books from the regular collection may be checked-out.
Do not check out materials for anyone other than yourself.

All fines on your card are your responsibility.

Materials from the regular collection may be kept 2 weeks.
Materials may be renewed, please bring your book to

the library.

Magazines may not be checked-out.
Please do not reshelf books. Place them on the tables; we will

reshelf.

Students who remove library materials without checking them out

properly will be considered stealing and dealt with by school

administrative staff.

All students must enter and leave the library at the signed entry or

exit.

RETURN IT ON TIME!

Students are expected to return books on time. You may not

check out a book if you have an overdue item.

Return books to the Circulation Desk.
Return books on time and in the same condition as they were prior

to checkout.

OVERDUES AND FINES

Lost books are the cost of replacement of the book.
It is the students’ responsibility to return materials on time.
The Date Due is stamped at the back of the book.
Overdue notices will be distributed to homeroom teachers at the

middle and end of each semester.

Overdue book fine is determined at the rate of 5 cents a day. We

will cap based on the book, but it is a per item determination.