FAQ

 Welcome to the Metea Valley High School Library Media Center FAQ!

We are designed to support your academic research and personal reading goals. Below are answers to the most common questions about using our space and resources. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

🕒 Library Access & Hours

• What are the library’s hours?
  We are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

• Can I visit during the day?
  Yes! We invite you to come to the LMC to study, relax, read, listen to music in your earbuds, research, ask questions, power your Chromebook, work on a puzzle, print and to ask questions of the LMC staff. As long as you are quiet, we encourage you to do what you need to do in the LMC. You must obtain a library pass through Securly from your teacher before coming to the library. If you are in a Blended class, please indicate LMC-Blended on your requested pass. If you are in lunch, you may come after the 10 minute freeze (no pass needed). Please scan your student ID at the station outside the Spirit side of the LMC when you arrive. Access to the LMC through the Victory side is closed after the bell rings. 

• Food is not allowed in the library. This policy is enforced to protect our book collections, furniture, and technology in the LMC. Thank you for your cooperation.

📖 Borrowing, Renewals, & Holds

• How many books can I check out, and for how long?
  You can check out up to 5 books at one time. The standard loan period is 3 weeks.

• What if I need more time with a book?
  If you need an extension, we can easily adjust your due date and/or renew the book for you. Just stop by the circulation desk or log into your account online. Unless it is on hold for another student, it's not a problem to renew.

• How do I find books and manage my account online?
  We use Destiny for our library catalog. You can log into your Destiny account online through the SSO using your school credentials to browse the collection, check due dates, or request a renewal. Please note that items cannot be renewed if another student has placed a hold on them.

• What if a book I want is checked out?
  If the book you want is already checked out, you can place a "hold" on the book directly with a member of the LMC Staff. When the book is returned from the current student, we will contact you by email to be the next person to check it out.

• Do you have access to e-books and e-audiobooks?
  YES! Access SORA from the SSO to see our collection of eletronic media. Alternatively, you can download the SORA app and connect it to our library (as well as the public library) to read/listen on your personal devices. If there is a title you'd like to have access to, please let us know. We can likely get it for you!

• Can I get my textbooks at the library?
  No. The library does not distribute or manage course textbooks. All textbooks are handled directly through your classroom teacher and/or Department Chair.

💻 Research, Tech, & Printing

• How do I access academic databases for research papers?
  We subscribe to high-quality academic research databases including Gale, EBSCO, and ProQuest. There are two ways. On campus, you can select the database you'd like to search using the SSO. To see all of the academic datasbases we own, check out the Finding Information page where the databases are listed by specialty, and there is a link to all of teh home use passwords.

• Can I use the printer to print my assignments?
  Printing is free for all school-related projects and assignments. Please print responsibly! There are additional printers upstairs in the F Hallway near the forum rooms.

• Can the LMC help me with my Chromebook?
  Yes! All distribution and troubleshooting for your Chromebook begins in the LMC. We will help you troubleshoot issues and escalate them to our IT Department if it's beyond our scope. We have repair loaner Chromebooks available to issue to you so that your academics are not disrupted.

• What if I forgot my Chromebook at home?
  We ask that you first contact home and see if someone can come and drop it off for you. If that is not an option, we have a limited amount of one period loaner Chromebooks to issue in the case of needing a device for an exam or critical assignment. You will need to ask your teacher to write you a pass that indicates you need a Chromebook for that reason. One period loaners are just that- available for one period.  We ask that you promptly return the Chromebook after the period is finished so that we have it available for someone else to borrow.

• What if my Chromebook needs to be charged?
  We recommend that you plug in your Chromebook at home and leave your charger at home so that it does not get lost. However, if you need to power your Chromebook we have 2 power towers- one in the LMC and one in the Commons. 

⚠️ Fees, Damaged Books, & Graduation Clearance

• Does the library charge daily overdue fines?
  No, we do not charge daily late fines, but after 30 days, a non refundable $3.00 fee is assessed. If you are fined for a lost book, you have 1 year from the date of check out to return the book. Unfortunately, after a year, the fine is non-refundable. 

• What happens if I lose or damage a library book?
  If you have lost a book or it's been damanged beyond repair, you will be billed a replacement fee for the cost of the item. This is billed through PushCoin. Please note: All library materials and fees must be cleared and resolved before you can clear senior checkout for graduation.

💻Where can I connect with you?

• Visit our social media!
  We have accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok under meteavalley_lmc. Give us a like and a follow!

🙋‍♀️ Need Assistance? 

Your library staff is here to help you cite sources, navigate Gale, EBSCO, and ProQuest, or find a great book to read. Stop by the desk or email Amy Madzinski at amy_madzinski@ipsd.org. 

Have a question or comment? Submit it here.