Policies & Procedures

Library Use - Students

Because access to information and high-quality reading materials is necessary to support instruction and encourage the development of individual interests and abilities, the Alton High School Library is open and available Monday through Friday from 7:30 am until 3:45 pm while school is in session. 

Any changes to this schedule, such as times when the library is being used for meetings or other special events, will be communicated in advance via the AHS Library website and the weekly schedule posted at the door to the library. 

Students are permitted to visit the library before and after school and at various times during the school day according to the following guidelines:

• Before School: Beginning at 8:15 am (7:30 am for Early-Bird classes), students may visit the library to check out books, read, study, work on homework, or quietly wait for their first-hour class. 

• During Class: Students wishing to visit the library during class periods must have a pass from a classroom teacher and must sign in and out at the circulation desk.

• During Lunch: With prior approval, students are permitted to eat lunch in the library. No more than 36 students are permitted during any lunch period, and students must receive a sticker from library staff indicating the lunch hour for which they have permission.  

• After School: Unless it’s reserved for a meeting or other activity, the library will remain open until 3:45 pm for students who need access to materials or who want to use this time to complete work, read, or study. 

While in the library, students are expected to follow library expectations and adhere to all school-mandated COVID protocols including mask-wearing and social distancing. 

Student Conduct

Expectations

To maintain an environment that supports the Alton High School community's academic, emotional, and recreational needs, students are expected to adhere to the following expectations while visiting the library:

1. Please adhere to all Alton High School COVID protocols while in the library, including wearing a mask over your nose and mouth at all times and maintaining a distance of at least 3 feet from other students during your time in the library. 

2. Please refrain from eating or drinking in the library UNLESS special arrangements have been made ahead of time. If you have been given the OK to eat lunch in the library, please sit in the designated area near the coffee bar.

3. Please respect the needs of other students using the library by keeping unnecessary noise to a minimum. While absolute silence is not expected, the library should be an environment that fosters concentration and contemplation. 

4. Please respect the space and the materials contained within. Keep things clean and leave your workspace in the same condition you found it. Take care of books and other items that you use or borrow from the library and return them on time. If a book is lost or damaged, you will be asked to pay for a replacement copy. However, there are some items in the library that cannot be replaced and could be lost forever if care is not taken.

Consequences

Students who are not following the expectations of conduct will receive a "friendly reminder." If a second reminder is necessary, the student(s) may be asked to leave the library and/or further disciplinary action, including a referral, may be taken. 

Circulation Policies - Students

Loan Period: Most materials in the AHS Library collection are checked out for an initial 2-week loan period plus one renewal period (if desired), for a total of 4 weeks. The date due for each item will be stamped on a card placed in the pocket on the inside back cover of the book. 

Students are responsible for monitoring their own library accounts and renewing and/or returning materials by the date they are due. Students can log into their library account any time via the AHS Library Portal. After logging into their account, students can search for and place a hold on an item and see which titles are currently checked out and whether there are any overdue materials or fines associated with their account.

Number of Items: Students may have up to 5 items checked out at one time. 

Exceptions: Under certain circumstances, based on a student's academic needs and/or teacher's assignments, exceptions may be made to the loan period and item limit 

Overdue Items:  Once an item is overdue, reminder notices will be sent to the patron’s email address regularly until the item is returned. No overdue fines will be charged for books that are returned; however, once a book is overdue by more than 75 days, the cost of replacing the lost item will be billed to the student's account (see below). 

Lost or Damaged Items: Items that are not returned to the library within 75 days of their due date will be declared "Lost," and a replacement fee equal to the cost of the item will be charged to the student's account. If the item is subsequently found and returned, the lost item fee will be removed or refunded.  Items that are returned damaged will be charged a repair or replacement fee, depending on the item's condition and whether it can be restored and returned to circulation.