Cabin John Media Center

Media Center Philosophy:

The goal of the Media Center is to support the instructional program at Cabin John Middle School and to provide students access to print, nonprint and electronic resources to enable them to complete their research assignments. The library media program strives to help teachers to reach their goals by providing assistance in class projects and activities (classroom collections, curricular support, and selection of materials). It is also our goal to implement a research program that will provide our students with the skills needed to critically utilize information in this information-rich age, and to promote intellectual freedom--the freedom to seek answers and to have thought-provoking opinions and discussions. It is the responsibility of the media specialist to provide instruction in the Learner Outcomes for Library Media Programs, plan with teachers to provide well-integrated library media experiences, and to manage and organize the collection. The Media Center also contains a wide selection of recreational reading materials to appeal to a variety of tastes and reading abilities.

Staff: Ms. Beth Richard (Media Specialist), Mrs. Carol Sansone (Media Assistant) welcome you to the Media Center and to all of its resources. We are here to assist you and hope that you will visit before and after school as well as during lunch.

Hours: 7:35 am - 3:30 pm for research, reading, study, homework, and circulation of materials.

Instruction: Lessons on information retrieval skills are planned and taught cooperatively by the Media Specialist and the classroom teacher. These lessons are integrated into the curriculum. Classes coming to the media center receive instruction before and during research activities.

Research Assistance: In addition to working with students during class time, individual assistance before school, during lunch periods and after school is provided.

Checkout procedures: Students should know their MCPS student number. Media center staff will assist you at the circulation desk.

Loan Period:

Students may check out one to six books for two weeks. Renewing is possible unless reserved by student or assigned by staff member.
Reference books may be checked out at the end of the day and returned before first period the next school day; overnight only.
Magazines circulate for one week from the media center. Current issues of magazines are retained for general student use before being circulated to students.
Audiobooks (Books on tape). We have an extensive collection of books on tape. Audiobooks circulate for a two week period and can be renewed. These can be a wonderful resource for students who would like to listen and read a novel at the same time.

Newspapers: We receive a national and local newspapers. Students can cut articles from back issues. Students can also access newspapers electronically from the computers.

Reserves: Books can be reserved for students. Leave your name and titles needed at the circulation desk.

Special Reserves: Books needed for research assignments are frequently put on Special Reserve. They must be used in the media center during research assignments.

Overdue notices: Notices are sent to students from their first period classes. Students who have overdue books are not permitted to check out more books until the overdue materials are returned, renewed, or paid for.

Computer Use: Students may not surf at any time. The teachers assign bookmarks, URLs or student-oriented websites. Parents' signed forms are no longer used. Parents may request forms or put it in writing to keep their students off the Internet. Student research takes precedent over other computer uses in the media center.

Passes: Passes issued on a first-come, first-served basis from the Media Center before school. Teachers may issue passes to the media center during the school day for individual reference or project help when scheduled classes are not attending the media center.

Responsibilities: Students should be using the Media Center productively and in a manner which allows others to be productive. Students are expected to be respectful of others' persons and property.

Recommendations: Students and staff are encouraged to recommend titles of books, magazines, or computer software. Submit your recommendations to a Media Center staff member.

The Cabin John Middle School Media Center Collection At A Glance

Over 10,000 materials, including books, videotapes, CDs. DVDs, laserdiscs, kits, magazines, and newspapers.
33 Novell networked computers run Windows XP and Office XP.
21 online services to use at school and at home. Get IDs and Passwords at the circulation desk in the media center, in the PTA newsletter, or as an attachment in an email message.

You're welcome in our Media Center!