“In our information-rich times, you can’t live without the media center”
--anonymous

The mission of the media center program is to ensure that all members of the school community become effective users of information and ideas, independent media center users, and life-long learners.  The media center:
           
--provides resources to support the curriculum
            --creates life-long learners
            --promotes the love of reading
Mrs. Bloomquist, MLS

What Does A Library Media Specialist Do?

A qualified library media specialist can:
           
--recommend and provide resources
            --teach information and technology skills
            --give book talks to promote an interest in reading
--create webpages, reading lists, and bibiliographies to enhance student
research or teacher units
            --provide technology training to students, staff, and teachers

*Studies conducted in 22 different states (NY included!)  consistently show that schools with qualified full-time library media specialists perform better on state-wide assessments than schools without these professionals.

Loan Periods and Limits

Grades K-5 visit the media center once a week for instruction.  They may borrow one book each time they visit, provided they have returned their last book.  The next time they visit the media center, the book is due.  Books may be renewed once for another week.  If a book is lost or damaged, the student may not borrow another one until the item is either returned or paid for.  Students can also access the media center any day to exchange books, providing they have their teacher’s permission and the media center is not being used by another class.

Acceptable Behavior

When you enter the media center:
Walk in quietly and take a seat.
Wait for the media specialist to give you directions.

While you are in the media center:

Sit with your feet on the floor and your hands on the table. 
Take turns talking, listening, using computers, or looking for books on the shelves. 
Listen closely if someone else is talking.
Make sure to check out your book before leaving the media center.

When you leave the media center:
Make sure you have checked out your book before lining up. 
Stand still in line with your book closed. 
When your teacher shows up, follow her out the door.

Using the Media Center

Students may use the media center either as individuals or as an entire class.  The media center is open throughout the school day to provide students, teachers, and staff with the opportunity to locate and use all the tools and resources needed to complete their individual or class assignments or projects.

Schedules

The media center is used primarily for class instruction.  However, teachers are encouraged to schedule additional time for their classes as needed in order to complete research for class assignments. 

During open times, individual students with their teacher’s permission can come in to exchange their old books for new.  

The media center is also used on a daily basis for homework room.  After eating their lunch, students who have not completed their assignments may be sent by their teacher to the media center for some quiet space and time to complete the missing assignment.  Being sent to homework room is NOT a punishment; it is an attempt to keep the student from falling behind the rest of their class by giving them extra time to finish assignments.

Book Care

Wash your hands before touching a book.
Keep your books inside; away from liquid or dirt.
Keep sharp objects away from your book.
Keep crayons, pens, pencils, and markers away from your book.
When turning the pages of your book, always turn the page slowly and carefully, grasping the page from the top corner of the right hand page and moving to the left.
Keep food away from your book.
If you need to mark your place in the book, don’t bend the page corner; always use a bookmark.
When not reading your book, keep it in a safe place until you can return it to the media center.
Keep your books away from small children and pets.

Computer Use

Camden Central School District has an acceptable use of technology policy which all staff, students, teachers, and administrators must abide by.  The acceptable use policy is outlined in the student handbook. Every time a student logs onto a computer in the district, the policy shows up on the monitor.  In addition to the acceptable use of technology policy, here are some common sense guidelines:

All students have a username and password assigned for their personal use.   Do NOT give anyone your username and password.  You are responsible for anything that happens on a computer logged in under your name.
Report any problems you have with the computer, your username, or the program being used to the teacher in the room IMMEDIATELY.
Do NOT search the Internet without permission from a teacher.  Make sure the teacher is in the room while you are on the Internet.
When you finish using a computer, make sure you have logged OFF the computer.  NEVER leave a room with a computer still logged in under your username.