Book Checkout
Students in grades 1 through 5 may check out up to two books at a time. Books can be renewed as long as there is no one on the waiting list to read the book. Kindergarten students can check out one book at a time, and books are kept in the classroom.
Parents of students in K - 5 are allowed to check out up to five books at a time for a two-week period.
Book Checkout
Class Visits
Each class will visit the media center once every other week for 30 minutes. One week is for grades K, 1 and 2, and the other week is for grades 3, 4, and 5. During their visit, they may check out books, participate in digital literacy lessons, listen to read-alouds, conduct research for class projects, or learn how to use new technology and/or apps.
Lost/Damaged Books
Although there is no fee for an overdue book, books that are lost or damaged must be paid for on or before the last day of school. Any book overdue for more than 30 days will be assumed lost. Checks should be made payable to Morningside. If paying cash, only exact cash payment is accepted as change cannot be given.
Individual Visits
Students are encouraged to visit the media center throughout the day. Each classroom has five library passes. If Mr. Rawls is busy with a class, and a volunteer or assistant is not available to check out, third through fifth-grade students are encouraged to use the self-checkout. K-2 students will need to return to their class and check back at another time.
Staff Book & Equipment Checkout
Staff may check out as many books as they like for a period of 30 days.
Rules
Respect everyone and everything.
Use a volume appropriate for the assigned activity.
LISTEN & FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.
CONSEQUENCES
FRIENDLY REMINDER.
FIVE MINUTE TIME OUT/REFLECTION.
CHILD'S ADULT CONTACTED BY PHONE OR EMAIL.
School Library Materials
Selection Principles & Criteria
Selection Principles:
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Selection of materials is the responsibility of the library media specialist with input from the library media committee, faculty, staff and students.
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Selection of material aligns with the goals and vision of the district, school and library media center.
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Selection is based on a variety of professional tools including reviews from the following professional journals: The Horn Book, School Library Journal, Kirkus, BookList, and The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books paying special attention to titles which received starred reviews, as well as evaluation of advanced review material, publisher previews, and peer communication.
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Selection of technological materials including software, ebooks, audio-visual materials, and electronic databases must meet the same high standards of quality as print material.
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Selection is based on the diverse needs of the students and staff. This includes but is not limited to:
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learning styles
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ability level
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language
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cultural heritage
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disabilities
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student interest
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Selection of materials is informed by the current state of the collection.
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Selection of materials strives to find a balance between high interest materials and materials of exceptionally high literary quality.
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Selection of material takes into account the current learning standards and provides faculty with the necessary resources to teach said standards.
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Selection of materials is informed by budgetary priorities or limitations.
Selection Criteria:
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Materials will support and be consistent with the general educational goals of the school.
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Materials will encourage students to read for pleasure by appealing to student interests.
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Materials will be high-quality in factual content, aesthetic qualities, literary values, and presentation.
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Materials will be appropriate for the subject area, age, and developmental level of students which the library serves.
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Materials will meet the diverse needs and interests of faculty and students.
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Materials will be current and up to date.
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Materials will come from reputable publishers and from authors, illustrators, or editors whose reputations indicate literary quality and factual accuracy.
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Materials will be selected for strengths in helping students gain an awareness of our diverse society.
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Materials will adhere to all copyright laws.
Gifts: All donations and gifts will be held to the same principles and criteria as purchases or any other acquisitions. Gifts that do not meet the established criteria, do not fill a need in the collection, or are found to be in a condition not acceptable for entering the collection, will be donated or discarded at the discretion of the library media specialist and library media committee.
More Information: Atlanta Public School's Media Materials Selection can be found by clicking here.
References:
AASL (1999). Workbook for Selection Policy Writing.
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/essentialpreparation/workbookslctn. Retrieved Jan. 24, 2013.
Bishop, K. (2007). The Collection Program In Schools: Concepts, Practices, and Information
Sources. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
School Library Materials Challenge
If you would like to request reconsideration of school library materials, please speak with Mr. Rawls about your concerns. If he is unable to offer you a solution that you are satisfied with, you may advance your request by submitting this form to the Atlanta Public Schools district media services department.