Paul F. Gilligan III Media Center

Borrowing Materials

Books are checked out for a period of 2 weeks. Books can be renewed, as long as there is not a waiting list for the book. 

Any books that are lost or damaged beyond repair (wet, torn, missing pages, etc.) must be replaced with a new copy OR paid for so the school can purchase a replacement. 

Returning Materials

Please use the book drop, located at the circulation desk, or the book drop outside of the media center at the RMS Media Center entrance.

Fines

No library fines are assessed. Any books that are lost or damaged during their year must be replaced or paid for.

Visiting the Media Center

We welcome your visit.  All students must sign in.  Students are allowed to visit the media center before/after school and during study hall periods (if enrolled in study hall).  Students who opt to use the Media Center during lunch MAY NOT eat lunch in the Media Center. Any student utilizing the Media Center during an assigned class time must be prepared to show a signed note from his/her teacher.  Non-study hall students must have a note to explain their absence from class.

Media Center Expectations

The students, faculty and staff of HTHS/RMS share the responsibility of maintaining a library environment that is conducive to teaching and learning.  Patrons and staff are expected to maintain a quiet and courteous atmosphere, and to take care of all materials borrowed.  The Media Center staff asks that you please:

• Refrain from eating, drinking or chewing gum in the media center, and to please dispose of any trash that may be created

• Maintain a quiet environment while working

• Return materials borrowed in a timely fashion

Students who choose to behave inappropriately in the media center will be:

(1) given a verbal warning

(2) Asked to return to study hall or classroom

(3) Referred to the assistant principal if the behavior continues

Rules of Conduct & Consequences in the Media Center

The rules of the Media Center have been put established by the Media Center staff in order to (1)protect the rights of the individuals using the Media Center, (2)protect the rights of the Media Center staff so they may conduct business without unnecessary interference or disruption, and (3)protect the materials and facilities.  These rules give the Media Center staff the right to exclude the use of the media center to any individual who willfully violates the set rules.

 The Media Center staff believes that (1)library patrons have the right to use the materials and services without being disturbed or impeded by other patrons, (2)patrons have the right to an environment that is secure and comfortable, and (3)patrons should have access to materials and facilities that are available and in good condition.

 The theft, vandalism, or destruction of media center property is a violation of the School Rules and Code of Conduct (refer to Student Handbook).

Patrons who deliberately and willfully violate the media center’s rules of conduct will be asked to refrain from engaging in such behaviors.  Patrons who opt to continue to violate the rules of conduct may be asked for identification and will be required to leave the media center for the period.  In the case of extreme, or recurring, misconduct, the offender will be asked to leave the media center immediately and report to the Assistant Principal’s office.

 The media center staff simply asks that patrons:

(A)  Refrain from any misconduct or inappropriate behavior that may hinder the other patrons or the staff as they work in the media center.  This includes

• 1. Noisy conversations (above a quiet work level)

  2. Running around

  3. Blocking entrances or fooling around near entrances, computers or circulation desk

  4. Harassing others, either verbally or through actions.  This includes paying unwanted attention to others, initiating unwanted conversation with either students or staff, following patrons/staff around the media center, staring at or (inappropriately) touching other patrons, acting in a way that can  be perceived as threatening, hostile, or offensive.

  5. Fighting.  Students fighting will leave the media center for the rest of the day.

  6. Using bad language or discussing subjects inappropriate to the school environment (including drugs, alcohol, partying, etc.)

(B)  Refrain from chewing gum, eating or drinking.  This can result in materials, equipment, or furniture being damaged.

(C)  Refrain from moving equipment or furniture.  This can result in a student getting injured.  The school employs staff to move furniture if necessary.  Additionally, students should not put their feet on furniture.

(D)  One person per chair.  The media center staff reserves the right to “break up” large groups of students if they continuously work at an inappropriate noise level.

Please Note: Students are encouraged to be responsible with their belongings.  Leaving personal items, such as bookbags and purses, unguarded for long periods of time can result in theft.  The media center is not responsible for any personal items that “disappear” from the media center.  Additionally, students are reminded to check for their flashdrives before leaving the media center.  They are not always turned in when left behind.  The media center is not responsible for replacing lost flashdrives.  Also, the media center is not responsible for the loss of electronic documents or programs that may be deleted if a students fails/forgets to log off after using a computer.

Serious or Repeat Violations of the Media Center Rules

The media center staff is committed to keeping the media center a welcoming environment to all students, faculty and staff.  To that end, any students who repeatedly cause a disruption in the media center will be referred to the Assistant Principal.  Students should note that the media staff may be documenting behavioral incidents.  If referred to the discipline office, students should understand that collaboratively, the Assistant Principal and the Media Specialist will determine a consequence for the disruptive student.  This may result in the loss of Media Center visitation privileges, and parent contact.