policies
Policies
Coleytown Middle School Library Information Center
John Horrigan, Librarian 203-341-1615 | jhorrigan@westportps.org
Copyright
Copyright Kids Lots of information about copyright
Book Selection & Challenges How the librarian selects books
What to do if you want to challenge a book in a Westport School Library? use this form.
Administrators, librarians, and teachers are responsible for the selection of appropriate educational material. Despite the care taken to select worthwhile materials and the qualifications of teachers selecting and recommending materials, occasional objections may be made. In order to facilitate the handling of complaints, the following procedure has been established:
The complainant will identify the nature of the complaint and talk to the teacher involved, seeking resolution. Failing satisfactory resolution, the complainant may file a formal written complaint on the form entitled, "Request for Reconsideration of Materials" with the principal, who will seek resolution with the complainant and the teacher.
If the issue remains unresolved, the principal will submit the complaint to the chairman of the Superintendent’s Review Committee (SRC) who will be appointed at that time. The committee will consist of: a member of the superintendent’s immediate staff; the WEA president or designee; the IAA president or designee; no fewer than three classroom teachers, representing level and department or specialization germane to the complaint; one library/media specialist; and three citizens, appointed by the superintendent.
Following a hearing with the parties to the complaint, the SRC will issue a recommendation, in writing, to the superintendent, who will render a disposition, in writing within ten days. Complainant or teacher may appeal the superintendent’s decision to the Board of Education within 30 days.
Challenged materials, once judged appropriate, shall be reviewed; if challenged again, only if the superintendent determines that circumstances so warrant.
Borrowing materials:
Books can be borrowed for 3 weeks at a time.
There is no limit to the number of books you can have out.
You may renew your books as many times as you want to, as long as there is nobody waiting for the book.
You don't have to bring the book to the library to renew it...just drop by and tell us to renew your items.
You may renew your books by email by sending me a message at jhorrigan@westportps.org
There are no daily fines if you forget to renew or return your books..but think of your friends who are waiting for that book.
If you lose a book or damage a book, you may be responsible for replacing it. If this happens, come and tell me as soon as possible.
Very Important Note: If you bend over the pages of your book, you will have to pay a $1.00 fine.
If you damage a book, you will be assessed a $2 to $5 fine, depending on the damage.
If the book is damaged beyond repair, you may have to pay the entire replacement price.
Free bookmarks are always available at the Circulation Desk
If you fail to return your books and pay any fines, you may have your report card held.
Computer use: Please follow these rules when using your Chromebook in the LMC
No Chat rooms
No Instant Messenger
No internet shopping
No games except for those assigned by teachers
Do have fun using the computer for schoolwork & research
Photo Copier & Scanner use:
We will copy parts of the book for you or if the book is checked out to you, we will copy tables, charts or pictures.
Please Note: Copyright law does not permit entire works (books, videos, etc) to be copied
A few pages out of a circulating book
Something for a class. Example: a poem for drama or an assignment packet for a class you missed
A copy of your schedule or any other school business items or forms
A copy of another students notes dues to absence:
Scanner:
There is a scanner available for use by students.. just ask & we can show you how to use it
Mission & Vision:
The Information and Technology Literacy Curriculum ensures that the Westport Public School Community acquires the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the complex, technological, information-based, and rapidly changing 21st century world. Information and technology literacy facilitates critical thinking skills and promotes the development of lifelong learning.
All members of the Westport Public School community (our students, teachers, staff, administrators, and parents) will:
understand the various roles and functions of technology, information, and literature and how they are best used for a given task
use information and technology for personal growth and exploration
recognize and apply safe, moral, and ethical standards of information use and technology
use and develop strategies to gather and synthesize data and informatio
communicate ideas, values, and expressions clearly and effectively
use information and technology creatively to enhance communication
integrate and make connections among subject areas
collaborate with members of the school community
create new knowledge using information and technology
actively explore and use new information technology
utilize information and technology to extend learning opportunities beyond the school community
Integrated Information and Technology Literacy Curriculum
I. Role and Use of Technology
Recognize the potential of digital data, operate and use computers and other technology for growth, exploration, and productivity.
Potential of Digital Data
Digital information can be analyzed, replicated, altered, included in multiple documents, and transmitted to a variety of audiences. Students will recognize the potential to use digital information across curricular areas.
Be aware that as technology advances so do the range of possibilities for the end product as well as its distribution
Evaluate and confirm accuracy and relevancy of resources
Manipulate and re-use information for multiple purposes
Identify new and emerging technologies and understand their potential
Growth and Exploration
Working in all disciplines, students will have multiple opportunities to use appropriate applications and strategies. Students will consider solutions and different points of view within the context of global developments. Available technologies will be used to help extend learning across all disciplines.
Access and explore literature, texts, and other media in a variety of formats
Access and use appropriate computer programs for a desired task
Identify alternate resources to supplement their own learning styles
Use available and emerging technologies
Identify and solve hardware and software problems that accompany everyday use
Productivity
Students use technology tools to increase productivity and seek out creative solutions. They will collaborate with peers to create technology-enhanced projects.
Use content appropriate technology tools and software in order to create written, oral, numeric, and visual communications.
Identify keywords and concepts for searching information sources
Analyze, organize, and interpret ideas and data in order to form conclusions
Proficiently utilize information technology
Communicate information and new knowledge using the most appropriate technology and format
II. Communication
Students will develop the skills to express ideas effectively and be receptive to the ideas of others. Through collaborative communication, students will have the opportunity to explore beyond their immediate range of contacts.
Skills
Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas to multiple audiences. They will identify and practice patterns of effective communication.
Communicate ideas, values, and expressions
Listen to and respect different points of view
Consider author bias in communication
Select and use the most effective format to communicate a message
Tailor communication to match audience
Make sure posted information is grammatically correct
Collaboration
Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.
Collaborate with members of the school, local, and global communities to research, compile, synthesize, produce, and disseminate information or creative works
Identify protocols for communication and consider the effects of both context and intent
Identify and use available methods of communication
Effectively communicate and collaborate with people world-wide
III. Information Literacy
Information literacy is a set of skills used in the process of locating, understanding, and utilizing information. Students will develop life-long information literacy skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Task Definition
Communicate the scope and criteria of a task to others
Develop an essential question for a given topic
Location and Access
Recognize when and how information is systematically organized
Identify a variety of appropriate sources
Monitor and adjust search process
Determine the best tool for locating information
Independently locate, search, prioritize, and use print, non-print, and electronic resources within and outside of school
Use of Information
Use the organizational features of print, non-print, and electronic materials to locate and collect information
Organize and record information from a wide range of sources
Determine when it is appropriate to use opinion Synthesis
Sort and examine information to determine its relevance
Analyze and organize information to draw conclusions
Evaluation
Recursively assess the quality and quantity of retrieved information and determine if it meets the assigned need
Assess overall effectiveness and efficiency of the search performance and final product
IV. Responsible Use
Students will adhere to ethical standards and develop skills to protect themselves.
Safety
Develop the skills to remain safe and protect their privacy
Recognize that digitized personal information can be accessible to others
Understand that information shared by others may be false, misleading, and/or dangerous
Recognize that every technology comes with inherent security risks
Social and Ethical
Recognize and apply moral and ethical standards of information and technology use
Abide by the district’s acceptable use policy
Cite sources in an appropriate format
Respect copyrights and use the work of others only with appropriate acknowledgment and/or permission
Recognize the implications of re-using the works of others in different formats