HMS Library Information

Frequently Asked Questions about HMS Library

Contact Info: 

•      Who do I contact if I have a question?

• Feel free to contact Library Media Specialist,  Kass Seidenschnur (AKA Mrs. S)

• Send emails to kseidenschnur@sdale.org or call HMS at (479)750-8725 and ask to speak to the library.

    Library Hours:

• The library is open to students throughout school days

  • • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:45 am - 3:30 pm

    • Wednesday: 7:45 am - 2:10 pm

• Students will come to the library with their ELA or Social Studies classes every two weeks.

• Students are welcome to visit the library anytime throughout the school day. They just need permission from their teacher and a hall pass.

• If students come to the library without their class, they need to bring a hall pass with them.

    Due Date:

• • When is my student's library book due?

  • Library books are checked out for two weeks. (Books are due 10 school days after they are checked out.) 

    • All books should be returned or renewed on or before the due date.

    • Due to scheduling, sometimes student class visits are a few days after the book's due date. 

      1. • Don't worry if your library book is a few days late. Bring your book to the library with a pass or bring your library book to your next scheduled class visit.

         • We do NOT charge late fees.

         • Students with books that are more than a month overdue will not be able to check out until the books are returned or lost book fees are paid.

    • Students receive a due date bookmark when they check out a book. 

Students can also check their library account anytime through their OPAC sign-in 

• • • 1. • Students can go to the HMS OPAC online.

         • Click on "Log On" in the upper right corner of the screen.

         • Click the "Sign in with Google" button. (Do NOT enter a username and password)

         • If you have questions, contact Mrs. S or Mrs. Land in the library.

     How many books can a student check out at a time?

• Students may check out one or two books at a time.

• If students alert the library staff of special circumstances, additional books may be checked out on a case-by-case basis.

     Fees/Fines:

• • Does the library charge late fees? 

    • No

• • If I have to pay for a lost or damaged library book, how do I pay?

    • There are 3 options:

      1. A check can be written to HMS. 

      2. Cash can be paid.

      3. Pay online: Go the the HMS School Store:

         1. 1. 1.  Go to the Hellstern Middle School Website

               2.  Select the "Parents" dropdown menu

               3.  Click on "School Store"

               4. Click on "Library lost and damaged book fees"

    • Students will be provided a receipt upon payment of any lost book or book damage fees.

• • What is the average fee/fine? 

    • The average cost to repair a book is $2.00.

    • The average fee to replace a book is $18.00.

    • The fee will depend upon the age of the book and the original cost.

    • If a book is lost or damaged, the library staff will assess a fee and a statement will be sent home with your student.

• • Will I receive a receipt if my student pays a fine? 

    • Yes, a receipt is provided when a lost or damaged book fine is paid.

    Overdue items:

• • How do I know if my student has an overdue item? 

    • Students are given a due date bookmark that shows the due date of their library books at the time of check-out.

    • Ask your student. Students can log onto their library account, through our library OPAC. After logging in, they can see what they have checked-out, when the books are due, outstanding fees, and a list of books they have placed on reserve.

• • What if my student is sick? 

    • If your student is not at school when their library book is due, they should return (or renew) soon after they are back in school.

    Renewals:

• • If a student is not done with a book, can they check it out again? 

    • Yes, students can renew (recheck out) a book 1 or 2 times, unless there are special circumstances.

If my student wants to renew a book, do they have to have the book with them? 

• • • Yes, to renew books, students must bring the book(s) to the library circulation counter.

    Returns:

• • How does my student return their library book? 

* Students can return their books at the circulation desk in the library. 7th graders may also use the hallway book drop if they do not plan to check anything else out on that day.

Vocabulary:

• Check-in: to return a book to the library. You are done with it and are turning it "in."

• Check-out: to borrow a book and take it "out" of the library.

• Renew: to check out a book for another two weeks. 

• Reserve: to place yourself in line for a book you want to read that is checked out by someone else.