Library
Welcome to the Harrelson School Library!
I am Mrs. Josie Callahan, my students call me Ms. Josie. I have been the Librarian at Harrelson since 2006 and have been employed by the HCSS since 1997. The best part of my day is talking with students who are excited about a book they are reading.
My goal is for our students to become lifelong readers, whether they are reading magazines, blogs, graphic novels/comic books, classic literature, a nonfiction book to learn something new, or a fiction book just for fun.
I try to give the Harrelson Students knowledge of resources to go to find out answers to questions they may have. I try to read them a variety of books throughout the year including picture books that are nominated for the Volunteer State Book Award and allow them to take part in voting for Tennessee students' favorite picture book of the year.
To access a list of all materials available in our library our students are trained to use OPAC starting in 3rd grade. Our OPAC website is a complete list of books that our students are able to borrow from the school library. To buy new material for students, I use companies that organize books by genre, reading level, target reader age, and student interest. Some companies even review and group by the content of the book.
Here is the link to our school OPAC or online card catalog
I have attached the Harrelson School Library Policy and Procedures that will tell you just about anything you want to know about our school library.
Dorothy and Noble Harrelson School Library
Policy and Procedures
The mission of the Harrelson School Library is to prepare each child for success by providing access to the necessary educational, instructional, and recreational resources available.
Schedule:
Harrelson School features an ‘open-access’ library policy. Students may come to the library to check out and return materials, read for pleasure or information, hear stories, research topics for reports, or have a collaborative lesson. The library is open from 7:00-2:45 daily, except when Mrs. Callahan is assigned duties elsewhere in the building. Teachers may send 1-2 students at a time for checkout. I also have a Class Schedule where each class PreK-6th Grade has Library Class each week.
Book Check-Out Policies – Students:
Students in grades K-1st may check out one (1) book at a time. Students in grades 2-8 may check out two (2) books at a time. Books are checked out for two (2) weeks. They may be renewed up to three (3) times.
Overdue notices are sent out on a routine basis, usually each 4 ½ weeks. We do not charge fines for overdue books; however, students must return an overdue book before additional books may be checked out.
Damaged and Lost Book Policy:
Accidents happen! Puppies chew (usually new) books, juice containers leak in backpacks, younger siblings use them for creative art projects, and books get left outside. Most children are responsible and if a book becomes accidentally damaged, we stress the responsibility to report and return the damaged book, if I get the book back, students do not pay to replace a book. If I do not get the damaged book then the student must pay the cost for the book to be replaced which was damaged while in a student's care. A notice will be sent home with your child to inform you of the replacement cost. Students with damaged/lost book fees may not check out additional books until the fees are paid.
If a book page accidentally rips, please do not attempt to repair it at home. We use special book tapes and glue, which resist heat and won't discolor. Return the book with a note and we will gladly repair it.
Students who do not return items at the end of year or pay for the lost book fee may not be allowed to check out the next school year until the book is returned or paid for. Their report card will also be held in the office at the end of the school year.
Book Check-Out Policies – Staff: Staff may check out an unlimited number of books for six weeks. No library books will accrue fines (also known as late charges) for faculty.
Professional: There is a professional section with materials to assist teacher with their teaching.
Videos and DVDs: Staff check them out through the Librarian.
Book Selection:
I believe students should be free to select books that interest them. If a student wishes to learn about snakes or dinosaurs, I will attempt to guide him/her to an appropriate level book on that subject. Kindergarten through 2nd grade checkout in the Easy section of the library.
Third through eighth grade students are welcome to select books from all sections of the library so they can enjoy various types of literature. They are told if they choose a book that has content that they know their parent would not approve of, they are to return the book the next day and select another. If your child consistently makes selections which you feel are inappropriate, please feel free to contact me.
Students in first through eighth grade are encouraged to select books they can read independently. We spend time discussing books for independent reading, exploring books by various authors and illustrators, and using the "five finger test" to judge the readability of a book. We also involve our students in the Accelerated Reader program which encourages reading at their current proximal level of independent reading.
If your child selects a book which they do not like, or one which you do not like, or feel is appropriate, please return the book the next day and select another. If your child consistently makes selections which you feel are inappropriate, please feel free to contact me.
Curriculum:
Our library curriculum covers several topics including:
library behavior
parts of a book
library call numbers
literary genres
story elements
research techniques
independent use of the library
In addition, we use library instruction time to make cross-curricular connections whenever possible to geography, history, science, math, art, language arts, and music.
Proper care of library materials is stressed in all grades. Please help your child designate a safe place at home to store library books. I tell the children to leave library books in their backpack so they will always have it with them at school.
Behavior:
Be Respectful! To Librarian, Others & Materials
Follow directions
Keep hands, feet, objects and negative comments to yourself
Quiet while librarian is talking or reading
Use all materials properly
No eating
Walk & use a whisper (level 1) voice during check out
Follow proper check in/check out procedures
Bring library books
Consequences:
1. Warning
2. Written MIR (Loss of check out privilege for that day, if it involves handling of a book)
3. If a student has 3 MIR or commits a major infraction, the will receive an ODR and will be sent to the office for discipline.
Management:
Library materials are circulated using the automation program, Atrium. A web based part of the program, OPAC provides look-up stations in the media center and classrooms.
Reference Materials:
Reference materials are to be used by students in the library media center. Teachers may borrow reference materials for use in the classroom when necessary.
Selection Policy:
The needs of the Harrelson School Library are based on knowledge of the curriculum and of the existing collection. These needs are given first consideration in the selection of materials used to enhance the classroom curriculum.
Selection Criteria:
Along with the guidelines outlined in the district’s policy, the following criteria are recommended as a guide to selecting the best resources for the library media center:
· Literary and artistic excellence
· Lasting importance or significance to a field of knowledge
· Support of the curriculum and educational goals of the school
· Favorable reviews found in standard selection sources
· Favorable recommendations by educational professionals
· Reputation and significance of the author, illustrator, or publisher
· Timeliness of the material
· Contribution to the diversity of the collection
· Appeal to media center patrons
· Suitability for intended use
Request for Media Center Purchases:
Because the media center strives to support the curriculum needs of the patrons, faculty members are strongly encouraged to take an active role in media center purchases. Requests for purchases are always welcome.
Students are also allowed to make request for books to be purchased. The Librarian will research the reading level and age interest of the books content to see if it is age appropriate for Harrelson students.
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER DIRECTOR
Performance Responsibilities
PLANNING FOR INSTRUCTION & CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT:
1. Participates as a member of the educational team by attending faculty meetings.
Accepts a share of responsibility for co-curricular activities as assigned. Recognizes that responsibilities may extend beyond the media center. Meets and performs assigned duties at the designated locations and times. Prepares for assigned duties, and shows evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisor. Meets spur-of-the-moment requests for assistance and materials. Makes provision for being available to staff, students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
2. Initiates communication with staff regarding materials and services in the
LMC. Initiates communication with staff regarding materials in the media center that match units being taught. Takes advantage of informal opportunities to recommend materials or offer services. Demonstrates an ability to adapt and adjust to a variety of environments in a flexible manner.
3. Is willing to assist students in the selection and use of materials (curricular and non-curricular).
4. Provides reading guidance and motivation to students, considering both student interest and appropriate level of difficulty.
Communicates with teachers regarding students’ reading in terms of quantity, appropriateness of content, and level of difficulty.
5. Demonstrates and constantly upgrades his/her knowledge of literature and technology appropriate for the curriculum in the building. Motivates and assists students in the development of reading, listening attitudes, and appreciation.
6. Develops short- and long-range plans for the LMC collection, instruction and services. Monitors student progress of library media related activities with the classroom teacher on an ongoing basis. Modifies curriculum and instruction to meet individual student needs. Gathers materials in advance of classroom instruction upon teacher request.
CLIMATE FOR LEARNING:
1. Provides leadership for the development, administration, operation, and ongoing evaluation of the LMC program. Instructs teachers and students in use of media resources. Conducts orientations for teachers and students. Models mature, professional conduct.
2. Organizes media and equipment through a system of cataloging, classification and indexing which will provide accessibility for the user.
3. Promotes LMC services, materials and equipment to students, teachers and parents through displays, bibliographies, promotional literature and special programming. Provides leadership for the development, administration, and operation of the LMC program. Promotes positive public relations towards school and community. Maintains an open, friendly rapport with students. Expresses oneself clearly and interestingly on those occasions when he or she must communicate objectives, present information, or provide demonstrations. Develops and maintains an environment conducive to the effective performance of their duties within the limits of the resources provided by the district. Establishes and maintains open lines of communication with students and parents. Establishes and maintains cooperative relations with others.
LMC MANAGEMENT:
1. Supervises the training and work assignments of the LMC personnel, including LMC aides, students' aides and/or adult volunteers. Trains and supervises media center personnel, such as aides and volunteers, regarding appropriate procedures.
Personnel:
Librarian: Josie Callahan
Parent Volunteers: Sarah Lindley
Parent Volunteers mainly help with the Book Fair. They help set it up, sell items and box it up.
2. Participates in and makes recommendations for the selection and evaluation of LMC personnel. Designs and implements functional, organization patterns for staffing the LMC including student aides and adult volunteers.
3. Works with the building principal to prepare, justify, and administer the LMC program budget. Prepares, justifies, and administers the LMC program budget
4. Initiates, develops, and implements policies and procedures for the operation of the LMC. Takes necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities. Handles his or her own discipline problems appropriately, is warm and friendly, is consistent in policy, and is self-confident in managing students.
Assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations, and board policy. Performs in a manner consistent with the district’s philosophy of education and curriculum. Teaches, models, and maintains acceptable standards of classroom behavior.
5. Utilizes a system of flexible scheduling for the use of the LMC. Schedules times with individual teachers to plan use of media center materials in instruction, if possible and needed.
6. Evaluates and selects new library materials to support the curriculum and students recreational reading interests, using current, recommended selection aids, involving staff and students in the selection process when appropriate. Establishes and administers procedures for preview, evaluation, selection and ordering of media and equipment to support teacher and student objectives. Demonstrates knowledge of literature appropriate for students in his/her building. Assists in the selection of books, equipment and other professional materials.
Selects materials that support the building curriculum.
7. Inventories, evaluates and weeds out collection on a regular basis.
Reviews and weeds the collection to keep it current and appropriate.
Uses accepted inventory procedures.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES:
1. Monitors the effectiveness of the collection, the instruction, and the facility through periodic assessment by self, students, teachers, and administrators.
2. Keeps abreast of current educational trends, including technology and legislation, by reading professional journals, visiting other schools, and participating in professional growth activities. Maintains and improves professional competence.
3. Shares ideas gained from professional growth activities.
ALA Roles and Responsibilities of the Librarian Specialist:
As teacher, the librarian specialist collaborates with students and other members of the learning community to analyze learning and information needs, to locate and use resources that will meet those needs, and to understand and communicate the information the resources provide. An effective instructor of students, the librarian specialist is knowledgeable about current research on teaching and learning and skilled in applying its findings to a variety of situation--particularly those that call upon students to access, evaluate, and use information from multiple sources in order to learn, to think, and to create and apply new knowledge. A curricular leader and a full participant on the instructional team, the library media specialist constantly updates personal skills and knowledge in order to work effectively with teachers, administrators, and other staff--both to expand their general understanding of information issues and to provide them with specific opportunities to develop sophisticated skills in information literacy, including the uses of information technology. As instructional partner, the librarian joins with teachers and others to identify links across student information needs, curricular content, learning outcomes, and a wide variety of print, non-print, and electronic information resources. Working with the entire school community, the library media specialist takes a leading role in developing policies, practices, and curricula that guide students to develop the full range of information and communication abilities. Committed to the process of collaboration, the library media specialist works closely with individual teachers in the critical areas of designing authentic learning tasks and assessments and integrating the information and communication abilities required to meet subject matter standards. As information specialist, the library media specialist provides leadership and expertise in acquiring and evaluating information resources in all formats; in bringing an awareness of information issues into collaborative relationships with teachers, administrators, students, and others; and in modeling for students and others strategies for locating, accessing, and evaluating information within and beyond the library media center. Working in an environment that has been profoundly affected by technology, the library media specialist both masters sophisticated electronic resources and maintains a constant focus on the nature, quality, and ethical use of information available in these and in more traditional tools. As program administrator, the library media specialist works collaboratively with members of the learning community to define the policies of the library media program and to guide and direct all activities related to it. Confident of the importance of the effective use of information and information technology to students' personal and economic success in their future lives, the library media specialist is an advocate for the library media program and provides the knowledge, vision, and leadership to steer it creatively and energetically in the twenty-first century. Proficient in the management of staff, budgets, equipment, and facilities, the library media specialist plans, executes, and evaluates the program to ensure its quality both at a general level and on a day-today basis.
Excerpted from Chapter 1, "The Vision," of Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. Copyright © 1998 American Library Association and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. ISBN 0-8389-3470-6.
If you do wish to challenge any of the material in our school library you will find the correct procedure to follow in the link below and your first step is to contact the Librarian with your concerns.