Library Learning Commons

Beliefs

1. The school library is a unique and essential part of a learning community

2. Qualified school librarians lead effective school libraries.

3. Learners should be prepared for college, career, and life.

4. Reading is the core of personal and academic competency.

5. Intellectual freedom is every learner’s right.

6.  Information technologies must be appropriately integrated and equitably available.

7. A school library is a place where students can explore their own story, gaining awareness, and celebrating who they are. 

8. School librarians nurture global citizens beyond the classroom and help develop objective and compassionate thinkers who take lessons learned into the larger community. 

~ “Common Beliefs - National School Library Standards.” National School Library Standards, 2017, standards.aasl.org/beliefs/ 

Services

The Library Learning Commons operates on a flexible schedule to meet the varying needs of the DHS School-Wide community.  The school librarian collaborates with teachers, instructional support staff, and community partners to enhance and reinforce school-wide equity, reading, and research goals. The DHS Library Learning Commons offers a number of literacy-based programs, reading activities, and celebrations throughout the year. Please visit the DHS Library Learning Commons for more information. 

Hours of Operation

The Library Learning Commons is staffed by a full-time teacher librarian, a full-time instructional technology coach, and a full-time media clerk. The Library Learning Commons operates on a flexible schedule in order to accommodate cooperative planning and learning. The Library Learning Commons hours are 8:00 am - 4:00 pm  Monday - Friday.

Circulation Policies

Students are allowed to check out books for a period of three weeks. Teachers may check out books for up to 60 days. Students are responsible for the care of these books and will lose the privilege of checking out books if they do not pay for damaged and/or lost books. However, students will never lose the privilege of using the resources and materials while inside the Learning Commons or online due to the nonpayment of lost or damaged media materials. 

Library/Media Skills

In order to prepare students to become lifelong learners, the School Librarian/Instructional Technologist places a strong emphasis on teaching students how to become proficient in the use of the Library Learning Commons. Collaborative planning with teachers enables the integration of research skills and literature appreciation into the learning experience in the classroom and in the Learning Commons. Please contact Ms. Hill to plan collaborative instructional activities. 

Library Collection

The Learning Commons collection supports reading for pleasure and information. The collection includes fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels, both in print and online, online magazines, and databases.  The DHS Library Learning Commons contains links to the online catalog (Destiny), online learning tools, and library programs. 

DeKalb County Public Library

Decatur High School is partnered with the Decatur branch of the DeKalb County Public Library to ensure that every DHS student has a public library card and access to DCPL's extensive ebook holdings via Sora and online resources.

All CSD staff and students are eligible to receive a DCPL library card. If you are NOT a DeKalb County resident, please visit or contact the Library Learning Commons for information on receiving a DCPL card (free of charge). If you do not have a card, Click here for a library card application. 

*Note: The first screen will ask what branch you would like to be assigned as your home branch.  Please choose the Decatur Branch Library.

Collaborative Spaces

We have several collaborative spaces in the Learning Commons for use by teachers, staff, and students. Teachers and staff, please email the librarian to reserve a space. Students may email the Learning Commons at dhslibrary@csdecatur.net to request spaces for collaborative work,  quiet study, and school events.  

Printing

Limited black-and-white printing is available free of charge in the Library Learning Commons.

Reconsideration of Materials (Challenged Materials)

In the event that print or non-print learning materials are challenged, the parent will submit a written complaint detailing the source of the complaint, and the challenged materials will then be reviewed by a library media committee, and a recommendation will be presented to the DHS SLT for a final decision/resolution.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the librarian at dhslibrary@csdecatur.net