Objectives
BCPSS Information Literacy Objectives:
- To provide intellectual and physical access to information outside the information resource center and within the school building through systematic learning and a diverse media collection;
- To provide direct learning experiences that encourages users to become discriminating consumers and skilled creators of media and information;
- To provide resources and activities that contribute to lifelong learning, training in the latest information technologies, and reading guidance;
- To provide a partnership with the classroom teacher for the full integration of the information literacy program with classroom teaching through instructional design and curriculum development;
- To provide experiences that support the concept of intellectual and free access to information as prerequisites to effective and responsible citizenship in a democracy.
Poly Library Objectives:
- To make changes necessary to promote the library as a welcoming, user-friendly resource, based on the needs identified by students and staff
- To provide instruction in information resource research and usage to students in all grades
- To provide instruction to students and staff in the use of computer telecommunications as a source of information
- To promote the use of the information resource center and its variety of materials and equipment as a source of information
- To work with teachers to integrate technology into the diverse school curricula
- To provide up-to-date materials and resources for students and faculty
- To work with the Enoch Pratt librarians to encourage independent reading and the use of the public library as a source of information for class assignments and research
Services
The library media center serves the students and faculty in the following ways:
- Students:
- All 9th grade students receive orientation to the Information Resource Center.
- Students are given instructions for using computers for word processing, presentations and using the Internet for research.
- Students are given instruction on preparing research papers.
- Students are provided with materials needed for class assignments.
- Students are given access to computers and print / non-print materials.
- Students may use the facilities for individual and group work.
- Faculty:
- Faculty members receive training in and have access to laminating, transparency making, poster making and copy equipment available in the information resource center.
- Teachers may schedule their classes for instruction in research, using IRC equipment, computer usage, and topics pertinent to their classes.
- Teachers may request bibliographies for the information resource teacher.
- Teachers may get help with lesson planning.
- Teachers may request books to be placed on reserve for their students.
- Teachers may request that the information resource center purchase materials needed for their classes.
- Faculty members may schedule the facilities of the information resource center for other uses, such as meetings, group conferences, videotaping, etc.
Circulation Policy
A. Circulation
- The Poly IRC circulates all books, except reference and reserve books, for three weeks with the privilege of one renewal
- Overnight - Audiovisual software and materials that are in demand are limited to overnight borrowing.
- Classroom Collections
- Collections of materials are loaned to teachers for classroom use for varying lengths of time according to the size and needs of the class.
- For supplementary needs- When teachers borrow collections to supplement curricular needs in the classroom, the loan period accommodates class needs. These loans are made for one period, for one day, for several days, or a week, provided the class does not monopolize the use of materials that are in great demand for other students and teachers. When the information resource center is available, it is expedient to invite classes to the center to use the materials that are in great demand.
B. Overdue Materials
Teachers are given a list of her/his class overdues and asked to remind individual students to return the material. Students are given the student overdue notice. Unpaid overdue fines are considered an unmet obligation to the school at the end of the year, and students will not receive final report cards or diplomas until they are paid.
C. Lost or damaged
The charge for lost or damaged books is the cost of the book. If that figure is not available, then the charge is as follows:
- Hard back books - $15
- Paperback nonfiction - $7
- Paperback fiction - $7
- Magazines - $3
Money for damaged books is requested as soon as the damage is assessed and the necessity for replacement determined. Money for lost books is requested after a reasonable time to allow the book to surface. If a lost book is found and returned, the money is refunded.
Collection Development
Periodic additions to a collection keep it vital and alive by supplying fresh selections from the best of new publications, by providing up-to-date information on new developments in science, world affairs, and all other areas of the instructional program, as well as fulfilling the needs of changing enrollments and new curricula.
(BCPSS Selection and evaluation tools can be located on Blackboard at )www.bcpss.org.
The principal of the school is legally responsible for the selection of resources for the school. All materials ordered or accepted as a donation must be reviewed according to BCPSS selection and evaluation procedures. All orders are placed according the guidelines established by the Procurement Office. All materials must be ordered pre processed.
All Information resource centers are to be weeded following a three-year schedule. Weeding is completed using the guidelines published by MSDE and the CREW Method.
CREW is an acronym for Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding. The CREW Method considers weeding to be a necessary part in the flow of the collection building process. This process is described as a continuous one going from selection and acquisition, to cataloging and processing, to circulation and reference, to CREW and back to selection in a never ending circle with each stage smoothly succeeding into the next. CREW identifies six benefits of weeding - save space, save time, make the library more appealing, enhance the reputation of the collection, provide a continuous check, and provide continuous feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the collection. The CREW Method emphasizes that weeding needs to be included in the regular yearly work schedule.
MUSTY is an easily remembered acronym for five negative factors that frequently ruin a book's usefulness and mark it for weeding.
M = Misleading (and/or factually inaccurate)
U = Ugly (worn and beyond mending or rebinding)
S = Superseded (by a truly new edition or by a much better book on the subject)
T = Trivial (of no discernible literary or scientific merit.)
Y = Your collection has no use for this book (irrelevant to the needs and interests of your community.)
"Honor With Books" Program
In an effort to increase the Poly Library's print collection, the BPI Alumni have begun a program whereby donations are made in honor of an individual's memory, birthday, graduation, or special event. The donations go towards the purchase of books for the Poly Library
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