Policy Statement:

The mission of the Library Media Center is to ensure that all students have equitable access to necessary resources at all times, to further their understanding of content, and enrich their learning environment. Bear Branch Junior High hopes to provide students with access to a variety of informational formats to further their educational pursuits, while encouraging a lifelong love of reading. "The freedom to read is guaranteed by the constitution" (ALA, 2012). Students have the right and freedoms to access information with a variety of content to read, listen, view and evaluate (Constitution of the United States, First Amendment). A student’s right to use the library will “not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views” (ALA, 2012).

Policy Specifics:

Bear Branch Junior High offers over 15,000 print resources ranging from fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, biographies, reference materials, and more for our students to use daily.

Students:

• Students may check out books, audio books, archived magazines, and select reference materials for a period of 3 weeks.

• Students may renew items for an additional 2 weeks if the materials are not on hold.

• Check out procedures will be completed by the library staff and items will be date stamped with the due date.

This is NOT a quiet library!! Students are encouraged to discuss book recommendations with each other and to help each other find books.

• Students are responsible for all library materials that are checked out to them.

• Students will be notified if items are overdue.

• Lost or damaged items will incur replacement charges. If a lost item is found, the student may be reimbursed for the cost of the item if the item is returned by the end of the school year.

Teachers/Staff:

All staff members (teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals) may check out all library materials for an unlimited amount of time. These items include, books, videos, AV equipment, mobile technology, labs, etc. If there are limited quantities or material is in high demand, staff members are asked to return materials as promptly as possible, when finished, in order to fulfill other circulation needs. Check out procedures will be completed by the library staff.Teachers will have no limit on the number of items they can check out at one time. Staff members are responsible for all library materials that are checked out to them.

Procedures:

Check-Out

1. After selecting print materials, library patrons will take to circulation desk.

2. The Library Media Specialist or student aide will check out materials using student ID and barcode on materials.

3. Audiobooks and Ebooks can be checked out by logging into the student Destiny account and clicking the button “check-out”.

4. Materials will be stamped with the due date.Patrons may leave the library with the items that have been checked out.

5. Students who wish to check out an item that is currently unavailable may ask the library staff to place the book on hold for them. Homeroom teachers will receive email hold notices to inform students that a book on hold is available.

Check-In

1. Books may be placed in the book return outside the library doors or brought to the circulation desk to be checked in. Audiobooks and Ebooks will automatically check-in after 3 weeks.

2. AV equipment and mobile technology needs to be brought to the library workroom for check-in.