Operating Procedures

Libraries are open as many days within the school year as possible. Libraries should open for student checkout by the second week of school and end student check out no earlier than two weeks before the last student day.

Each campus determines the exact hours of operation for that library. Individual campuses may set extended hours as determined by the principal and librarian.

Libraries should be open as much as possible throughout the day. The library should be closed no longer than 30 minutes for lunch. Elementary and middle school campuses are equipped with self-checkout machines so students and staff may checkout library books if someone is not available to help them.

Circulation Policy

The Celina ISD libraries loan circulating materials to their patrons for different periods of time, depending on the type of resource. Patrons are expected to return items on or before their due date in order to make the item available for another patron.

At its discretion, the library may choose to not provide access to any materials in its collections to any non-District persons or any District personnel or students who are not enrolled at the school they are requesting materials from.

Loan periods for library books are as follows:

Pre-K - Kindergarten 1 book for two weeks

1st – 2nd grade 2 books for two weeks

3rd – 4th grade 3 books for two weeks

2nd – 4th grade dual language 4 books for two weeks

5th – 8th grade 2 books for two weeks

9th – 12th grade 3 books for three weeks

Staff Unlimited items for a school year (literacy library books, digital cameras, laptop computers, and other AV items may be subject to shorter loan periods)

Individual campus librarians will determine the amount and length of time reference materials and periodicals may be checked out.

A/V items are available for student and staff member checkout only. Individual campuses may determine what A/V items may be checked out to students and for how long.

Books may be renewed unless there is a hold on a book that a student is attempting to renew.

Overdue Books

The library will circulate overdue notices on a regular basis during the school year. The purpose of the notice is to inform the patron of the overdue item in the attempt to get it returned to the library for use by other patrons. Secondary students with overdue book(s) will not be allowed to borrow from the library until the overdue item(s) has/have been returned. Elementary students with overdue book(s) may continue to borrow from the library at the discretion of the campus library staff.

Fines for lost/damaged library items vary from school to school and from item to item. Refer to your campus library policy document for specific information on library fines. Fines collected because of lost/damaged status should be deposited in the campus library activity account. Celina ISD libraries do not collect fines for overdue materials.

Interlibrary Loans

Library staff may request interlibrary loan materials for campus staff members. Library staff may choose to not fulfill an interlibrary loan request if the item is needed at their campus. Celina ISD libraries do not fulfill interlibrary loan requests for students.

Students Withdrawing

Students who are withdrawing from school must have library records cleared as part of the withdrawal process. Students who transfer between schools within the district will have their library records transferred to their new campus.

Professional Use of the Library

The library provides teachers with resources in a variety of formats that support and supplement their curriculums, and provides recreational reading for students and staff.

The library’s staff is available to provide instruction for teachers, and their students, on electronic resources and information literacy skills.

Librarians and teachers are expected to collaborate on teaching strategies and units that will give students instruction and practice in using the library and its many resources to achieve those skills.

What’s Expected of Library Users

Behavior in the school library is expected to be in line with guidelines set out in the teacher and student handbooks. Consideration for others is the basic principle.

Please respect the rights of other library users. Activities and noise in the library should not infringe on the proper activities of others. Noise levels must consider those who are working intensively.

Please respect the library’s materials and facilities. All users are entitled to find them clean and orderly.

The librarians or other adults (either employed or volunteers) who are authorized to work in the library, are to be seen as arbitrators and general supervisors. Go to them with your questions or comments.

New library guidelines may be introduced from time to time by the librarian. They will be suitably published throughout the school so that all those concerned are fully aware of them.

Library Curriculum Support

The principal role of the library is to support campus curriculum by providing materials to strengthen classroom teaching and by guiding students to become effective in locating and using information. Each campus library program will be determined by the curriculum, the teaching patterns in the school, and the needs of students and staff.

Scheduling

It is recommended that individuals and small groups of students have some access to the library during and beyond the instructional day. Students may come to the library individually for research, check out of materials, recreational reading, computer use, and quiet study. Time must be allowed for administrative tasks which are performed by the librarian/library assistant as well as time for the librarian/library assistant to work with students on special projects, as planned with the teacher, or K-2 classes as determined by the library schedule. A good rule of thumb is that the librarian should expect to spend a minimum of 10 hours a week on planning and administrative tasks.

High school and middle school service allows for a total flexible schedule for students and staff.

Elementary schools are recommended to use a modified flexible schedule which includes the open, flexible and fixed schedule during the school day. A completely fixed schedule at the elementary level does not allow for adequate time for planning and administrative tasks or for small group work on an as-needed basis.

Big Six

The library program recommends the use of the Big Six Approach to Information Skills Instruction by Robert E. Berkowitz and Mike Eisenberg. The Big Six Skills include Task Definition, Information Seeking Strategies, Location and Access, Use of Information, Synthesis, and Evaluation.

Library and Reading Promotions

Library Media Services participate in various reading promotions and events throughout the year as determined by the individual campus librarian.

Online Resources

Library Media Services offers a variety of online resources for both students and staff. These resources are available free of charge and are intended to enhance instruction by providing quality resources for research and information.

Many of these resources are available for home use as well. Staff and students can obtain username and password information from their campus librarian.

Folder for Substitutes

It is recommended that each campus librarian prepare a folder for substitutes who may work in the library. The folder should contain information the substitute will need to successfully run the library in your absence. Minimal information to be included:

• Schedule for the library
• Lesson plans for scheduled classes or generic plans in case of an emergency
• Duty schedule (if librarian has scheduled duties outside the library)
• Instructions for operating the circulation system
• Name and phone extension of Campus Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS) or someone who can assist with insuring library computers are available for student and teacher use in your absence
• Information about student aides, their duties and responsibilities
• Alternative activities (not requiring technology applications) for scheduled classes in case original plans go awry
• Fire/emergency exit plans