About the Library
HS Library Goals and Objectives
The instructional media center/library is a welcoming and comfortable environment in which students and teachers can explore, investigate and navigate any and all available information.
The instructional media center/library teacher librarian and staff work in collaboration with teachers, administrators, support staff, and parents to provide learning experiences that aid in raising student achievement.
The instructional media center/library should be the central ‘hub’ of the learning community where students and teachers have equal access to information and respect the creative rights involved.
The instructional media center/library should be a safe atmosphere that stimulates curiosity and helps nurture and develop a well-rounded and productive member of the community.
The instructional media center/library should promote the practice of being a lifelong learner and treat reading and information literacy as a journey.
The instructional media center/library has a rich and abundant collection of resources that meet teaching and learning needs of the school curriculum, and to reflect diversity and intellectual freedom principles.
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Student Library Policies
Library Materials must be checked out at the circulation desk using a student ID card. Students may checkout up to five (5) items at a time for their personal use. Additional materials may be checked out for classroom purposes with requested teacher permission. All student print items are checked out for a period of three weeks (21 calendar days). Most books may be renewed; although restrictions may be placed on materials with a hold list.
Overdue notices are sent out via email twice a week (Monday and Thursday). Students with overdue materials may not check out additional materials from the library until materials are returned. Students are expected to pay the replacement cost for any lost or severely damaged materials. No payment will be required for items that show normal wear and tear or for those items that can be repaired by the library staff.
Student ID Cards must be presented to checkout library materials. Students may be asked to present their ID card to library staff at the beginning of each period.
Cell phones (and most other electronics) are allowed in the Library! Students may use personal electronics while in the library during open periods or study hall, but may not talk on their cell phones. All cell phones must be turned to silent.
Food & Beverages are only allowed in the café portion of the library; bottled water and other beverages with lids are allowed in all areas of the media center/library, but caution needs to be used around electronics and library materials.
While in the Library, students are expected to follow all building rules & expectations (outlined in the MHS Student Handbook).
Hours of Operation
The Instructional Media Center/Library is staffed for checkout by students and/or staff 7:30 am-4:00 pm Monday through Friday. Students may visit the library throughout the day to checkout materials, work on school work, or use computers during open periods or with permission from their classroom teacher. Staff members can also send a student, email, or call library staff with checkout requests. In the rare case that the library must be closed to students during these hours, an announcement will be made via daily announcements and/or posted signs.
MHS Library Staff
This is Mrs. Keltner's tenth year as the HS Teacher Librarian. She previously taught 6th and 8th grade English at ADM Middle School in Adel, IA and Tipton Middle School. She graduated with her School Library Studies degree from the University of Northern Iowa in December 2014. She currently lives in Columbus Junction, where her husband is a teacher and coach, with their daughters Eloise and Clara.
Her favorite books (this year) are The Last Thing He told Me by Laura Dave, Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman, Clap When you Land by Elizabeth Acevedo, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, and anything by John Green!
Mrs. Keitel is the Circulation Manager at MHS Library. She just completed her 7th year here at the high school (started in 2017-2018) after spending 7 years at West and Central Middle Schools, as well as Colorado Elementary. Prior to joining the school district, she worked for 10 years in the Accounts Payable Dept. at both HON and Allsteel. Mrs. Keitel attended MCC and Western Illinois University, where she earned a Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts Degree, with minors in Marketing and Management.
While Mrs. Keitel doesn't have any favorites, she does prefer biographies and has read Barbara Walters' Audition, Barack Obama's The Audacity of Hope, and Michael Phelps' Beneath the Surface, along with many others.
Ms. Alexis Hopkins
This is Miss Hopkin's first year as a library associate at MHS Library. She graduated from MHS in 2020. Then graduated from MCC with an associates degree. Before working in the school district she worked at Musser Public Library. One of her favorite book series is the Chet and Bernie mysteries. Her Favorite genre is mystery/ thriller or suspense.
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The mission of the MHS school library program is to provide an inviting, dynamic learning environment and services that support and enhance teaching, literacy and learning.