Schedule

The Furlough Middle School Library operates on a flexible schedule. Teachers can schedule classes to check out books to promote reading or to gather resources for research.

Schedule a class - https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/selfsched?sstoken=UVBRTWMyOU1TRlJffGRlZmF1bHR8MGY2OGM2YWY3ZTkxMmEzOTZmZTE0MzgwNmRkMjk3MjM .

Checkout Policy

Students will be able to check out 2 books at a time.

Books are due two weeks (14 days) after they are checked out and can be renewed once.

Books that are 30 days overdue will be entered onto the fine list. Students will be assessed a fine equal to the replacement cost of the book. They will not be able to check out any more books until the fine has been paid or the books have been returned.

Teachers/Staff may check out as many materials as needed as long as it will not hamper service to other library patrons.

The circulation period for items checked out to teachers is six weeks with an unlimited number of renewals. All teacher/staff items must be returned at the end of the school year.

Damaged or Lost Books

Students may be assessed a fine for damage to books. The amount of the fine will be determined by the librarian based on the condition of the books.

Students will be assessed a fine for books that are lost or 30 day overdue. The amount of the fine will be equal to the replacement cost of the book.

Students will receive a receipt when fines are paid. If books are found and returned within 3 months (90 days) after a fine is paid, the student can request a full refund.

Virtual Check Out (Book Delivery)

Students and teachers are encouraged to utilize virtual check out. Virtual check out allows patrons to request books online and have them delivered to the classrooms.

Virtual Check Out Information - https://sites.google.com/terrellisd.org/fmsvirtualcheckout/home .

Virtual Check Out Directions - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NFLDzdKVi1BQGpMchAg42NeqJOMtkh1mYbzAKz0Y0VA/edit?usp=sharing

Open Checkout

The library is available for open checkout throughout the school day. Students may come to the library to get resources to meet their needs at the convenience of their teachers.

All students must have permission and a pass from their teachers to visit the library. Everyone should sign in at the circulation desk when they enter the library and sign-out when they exit the library.

Book Suggestions

If teachers would like the librarian to purchase an item that is not currently in our collection, please complete a Resource Wish List form or email her so that the suggestions may be added to the next book order.

* The librarian will make every effort to add the suggested books to the collection, assuming it is still in print and can be obtained with a library binding.

Book Challenges

FMS Library believes in freedom of information for all, and does not practice censorship. The selection of library materials is predicated on the patron's right to read and freedom from censorship by others. Library materials may be controversial and any given item may offend some person. Selections for the library are made solely on the merits of the material in relation to the development of a collection that serves the needs and interests of a diverse population.

The FMS Library recognizes that a collection of diverse materials may result in some complaints or requests for reconsideration. The FMS Library Collection Development Policy guides the development and continuous evaluation of the collection to reflect Terrell ISD’s mission to provide access to resources and opportunities that impact individual lives and build community.

Weeded Books

Weeding is an essential, though difficult, element of collection development ensures that the library materials are useful and accessible. Weeding is a continuous process that will keep the library collection up-to-date. When weeding is not done regularly or consistently, patrons have trouble finding interesting and relevant materials. It is the responsibility of the librarian to determine when and which materials should be weeded. The weeding process should be continuous throughout the school year and not just during inventory.

To weed or not to weed an item will probably be based on one of the four elements:

1. Condition – Book in poor condition beyond repair should be discarded at once.

2. Age – Library patrons usually prefer new books regardless of content.

3. Reliability – This is important in factual books. Unless the information given is authentic, it is best to discard the book.

4. Frequency of Use – Inadequate space is often a problem in school libraries. It is unwise to keep books on the shelves that do not circulate often or not at all.

Weeded books are withdrawn from the library collection and will be offered to teachers/staff for classroom libraries, donated, or discarded.

Repair Tickets

The technology department has requested that all tickets for student devices be entered by the librarian. Teachers should fill out a paper ticket (except for the ticket number) and tape it to the front of the chromebook before it is turned into the library. The librarian will enter the ticket into Eduphoria and add the ticket number to the paper ticket.

Loaner Policy

Loaner chromebooks are available for students while their devices are being repaired due to technical issues not due to their negligence. They are NOT available for students who forgot their devices at home or have damaged their devices.

Loaner devices may be available for testing events with administrative approval. These devices must be returned immediately after testing is completed.

Students will need to bring a completed loaner chromebook slip with them to check out a loaner chromebook.

Chromebook Loaner Policy - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y4Il3Vk3ZlinrDxX94Qcv7pgY7-ypRRhRRFNJiN9u0s/edit?usp=sharing

Loaner Chromebook Slip - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g0jqneW2tdnGBf7Rj3kuIasEbxhKX4R-Vgm4YzBC_1I/edit?usp=sharing

Students and staff can access their library account online to check their account status, renew books, request books, or search for books at https://www.hulseypl.org/polaris/logon.aspx .

Logging into library account

• Enter student ID for username

• Enter “1234” for password

• Click on the “Log In” button.

Checking status

• Click on "Items Out" on the menu to check what books are checked out and when books are due.

Searching for a library book

• Search the library catalog to see what books are available in the library.

Request a book/ Placing a hold

• To request a book that is available at Furlough Middle School, click on the "Place Request" icon to the left of the title.

• Make sure the Pickup Library is set to Furlough Middle School and press "Submit Request".

• On the next page click the "This item only" button to make sure that the requested copy is available at Furlough Middle School.

• Books will be delivered to ELAR classes within 24 hours if they are available. If the book is already checked out, the student will be placed on the hold list and will be notified when it is available. If the student has two books already checked out or overdue books, their requested books will not be delivered until the outstanding books are turned in.

The library has a diverse collection of over 17,000 books to meet the informational and recreational needs of our students and staff. The books are organized using the Dewey Decimal System. Additionally, the FMS library has “genrefied” the fiction collection by adding genre labels to the spines of the books to help students quickly locate books when scanning the shelves.

Nonfiction

Nonfiction refers to books that are informational and factual. They are shelved numerically according to their Dewey Decimal classification.

Fiction

Fiction refers to books with the plot, setting, and characters created from the imagination. They are shelved alphabetically by the author’s last name.

Graphic Novels

Graphic Novels can be nonfiction or fiction books that are primarily presented through illustrations.

Everybody

Everybody books are books that include pictures to illustrate the stories.

Reference

Reference books are informational books that are used for research. These books are not checked out from the library.

Genres

The fiction books in our library are classified by their genres to help students quickly locate books when scanning the shelves. The genres are identified by a label on the spine of the book under the call number. The genres labeled in our library include:

Romance -

Historical Fiction -

Realistic Fiction -

Adventure -

Fantasy -

Horror/Supernatural -

Science Fiction -

Humor -

Sports -

Laminator

As a service to teachers, staff and administrators, the media center provides laminating service for school use. Teachers and staff are welcome to bring their instructional materials into the library to be laminated. Materials will be laminated as soon as possible, though this is dependent upon the size of the job and the availability of staff. All jobs should be completed within 24 hours. If a job is needed earlier, communicate this with the staff and they will do their best to accommodate if possible.

Poster Maker

The One-Touch SPARK poster maker is available for teachers/staff to make posters for their school use. The sizes available are: Large Banner (24 x 62), Mini Banner (9 x 24), Large Poster (24 x 31) and Small Poster (18 x 21).

Poster Maker Directions -

1. Bring in your original to be scanned. * Please email Mr. Turner or Mrs. Lopez if you need a color copy printed out.

   1. Large Poster and Small Poster - 8 ½ x 11 page

   2. Large Banner and Mini Banner - See librarian for instructions on size

2. Place the original in the scanner.

3. Press the button to select poster or banner size.

4. The full color poster or banner will print in under 2 minutes.

Class Sets

There are class sets available for check out in the book room. Please refer to the class set list for available titles and number of copies. Titles that are highlighted are reserved for ELAR classes to use with the curriculum and can only be checked out for specific grades.

Class Set List - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xgGxVlbYX6tfxx2WIaLhF9rhS5c3fgdSpAaYeK_Km3U/edit#gid=0

Book Requests

The librarian can select and gather materials for classroom use in any grade level or for any subject. Materials will be placed on hold for each teacher to pick-up at the checkout desk or delivered to your classroom. Please send information at least 3 days prior to the beginning of the assignment.

Search the library catalog before requesting materials to make sure that they are available at our library - https://www.hulseypubliclibrary.org/find-it/

Book Request Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpIi21qYVekNtO_knKEGEo3Aanj1bHVim6auyODA-HJZmb2w/viewform?usp=sf_link