Media Center → Procedures and Information
Media Center Procedures and Information
Hours
7:25 am - 3:00 pm for research, reading, study, homework, and circulation of materials.
Homework Club
Onscheduled days: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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, or at point-of-need.
Checkout procedures
Students should know their MCPS student number. Media center staff will assist you at the circulation desk.
Loan Period
Books circulate for two weeks and can be renewed. Students may check out up to four books. Additional books can be checked out with the media specialist's permission.
Reference books include encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, atlases and other special references. They may be checked out at the end of the school day and must be returned before first period the next school day.
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 two national and two local newspapers daily. Students are encouraged to read them. 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 weekly in 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.
Research Learning Hub
The computer network in the media center provides 9 student workstations. We welcome you to use them for your research and educational needs. Feel free to ask for help. A scanner is available at one workstation.
Passes
Passes are not required 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. After school, students must sign in with the after-school activities coordinator before coming to the media center. Students will need to adhere to after-school use policies as stated in the next paragraph.
Homework Club
Uses the media center on scheduled days, 3:00 – 4:00: Students who wish to stay after school to use the media center must sign in with the homework club sponsor, Mr. Halter and must be prepared to work on a school assignment or project while in the media center. Students are expected to engage in appropriate behavior in order to remain in the media center during after school hours and arrange for transportation or take an activity bus @ 4:00.
Student Internet Use
In accordance with MCPS policy, the Internet is available for educational purposes only. All actions are subject to MCPS review and may be logged and archived, as stipulated in MCPS Regulation IGT-RA, APPROPRIATE USE OF COMPUTER NETWORKS, and 271-4A, GLOBAL ACCESS SCHOOL STUDENT REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO NETWORKS.
Lunch
When no classes are in session, students are welcome to come to the media center after eating their lunch in the cafeteria. Students should sign up each day before going to lunch. The list of students who have signed up will be given to a lunch aide. When students have completed their lunch, they may check with the lunch aide in order to leave the cafeteria and come to the library. Students are expected to use this time to select books, read, do homework, or do research. The library is an alternative to the cafeteria, for students wishing to continue their studies.
Responsibilities
Students should be doing something productive and which allows other students to be productive. Always be respectful of other persons’ right to privacy 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.
