Philosophy

The Media Center is provided as a resource for information technology, books, materials, and equipment to support the BCS curriculum. We strive to provide a welcoming atmosphere in which all staff and students are encouraged in the development of a lifelong love of reading and learning whether through the use of reference materials and technologies, or through the use of a variety of literature and related media.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere in the media Center must be conducive to learning and working for all users. It is the responsibility of all staff to take care of the equipment and materials and to respect the needs of other users.

Library Policies

Library Use By Students

Library Hours: 7:45 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. 

Permits:

Between 8:30 and 3:30 students must have written permits to visit the school library. Please do not write permits for students who are not in your class. Students must bring a white two-part library permit with (1) students full name, (2) date, (3) time, and (4) teachers signature. Only one students name to a permit please.

In order to use the school library, students must be in uniform with a visible Woodlawn ID. Students will only be permitted to bring see-through or mesh book bags into the library. Please make sure that your students are in compliance with School System and WHS rules and regulations before you bring a class or send individual students to the library.

The librarian will not write passes for students to go to the restroom or lockers; please let students know that they should take care of these needs at appropriate times before entering the library. No passes will be accepted during Activity Period.

The large section of the permit will be returned to the teacher to verify that the student did come to the library. If the student stays until the bell rings, this verification is placed in the teacher mailbox at the end of the day. If the student asks to return to the classroom before the bell rings, the librarian will sign the pass and indicate the time the student left the library. The library keeps the small portion of the pass on file to verify student attendance. 
 
 

Books:

Library books are checked-out to WHS students who do not have library obligations (overdue or lost books or fines). Book circulation is two weeks and books may be renewed as needed. A date sticker is attached to the outside cover when books are checked out. Students and teachers may use the book return, which has been installed in the solid door next to the bulletin board outside the library.

Lost Books and Fines:

The Woodlawn High School library does not charge a fine for overdue books. Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy. Students are charged for damaged books and for damaged or missing barcodes ($2.00). If books have been lost and not paid for, senior cap and gowns will be held in the library. Students must pay for lost or damaged books. 

Magazines/ Newspapers:

Magazines and newspapers are to be used in the library or photocopied. Old newspapers are set aside for students to cut out articles. Some old magazines are kept for research purposes and some are given to students to cut out pictures, articles, etc.

Computer/Internet

The library must have a completed parental permission form on file for students requesting to use internet access computers. There is not a charge for printing from the computer. However students may not print from the internet unless the student has secured permission from his/her teacher or the library media specialist. We encourage students to bring a disk and save their work to the disk or CD. Information cannot be saved on the computer as computer memory is cleared each evening. Students who do not abide by the signed Internet agreement permission form will be banned from using library computers, and if needed, more serious action may be taken.

Alabama Virtual Library

Access and use of the Alabama Virtual Library is encouraged in the Woodlawn High School community.  Teachers have all received in-service instruction and sample lesson plans to incorporate the use of AVL into technology lesson plans and research assignments.  Students receive on going instruction as needed on the use of AVL. Each school year students and teachers are given an opportunity to renew or acquire an AVL card.

Faculty Use of Library

Please do not lend to other teachers any materials or equipment which you have checked out from the library. Return the materials so that other teachers may check out in their own name.

Books Magazines/Newspapers

Books are checked out to teachers for as long as needed, providing there are no other requests for the same materials. As a courtesy, no fines are charged on overdue materials. Teachers are asked to pay for lost materials. Please ask the library staff to reserve any books your students need for assignments. Magazines are available for teachers to check out, but we do ask that you photocopy information you need rather than cut or tear pages from the magazines. In this way the material remains available for use by others. The daily paper may be read in the library and old newspapers are available for classroom use.

AV Materials

Videos and CDs are to be checked out to faculty. Equipment such as tape recorders, screens, etc. should be checked out on a daily basis and returned to the library before the end of the school day. The library has a TV/VCR/DVD combo for use in the library. There is a FAX machine available for your use in the library, but it does not transmit long distance calls.

Internet/Computer

The Internet Lab is located next to the library in room 224 and may be scheduled for classroom use. Your students have signed permission forms filled out during registration to allow them to use the Internet. Faculty are also required to have a Technology Resources Agreement signed and on file in the library. Students should bring a disk with them to save their work.  
 

Weeding and Withdrawal 

The purpose of weeding is to maintain the quality of the library collection.  The process should be carried on continuously.  Material that is no longer useful or suitable should be removed.  This includes books, periodicals, vertical file material, equipment, and audiovisual materials.

Reason for discard:

• Poor physical condition
• Out-of-date content (outmoded, obsolete, untrue)
• Age brittle, pages yellowed
• No longer circulating
• Print too fine
• Duplicates of books no longer popular
• Beyond comprehension or reading level of patrons
• Multiple copies
• Equipment cannot be repaired

Library materials purchased with Board or Federal funds are the property of the Birmingham Board of Education and may not be given away or sold.  Destroying discards alleviates the possibility of the discarded book inadvertently returning to the collection.

Procedure to follow for discarding:

• Item is removed from the shelf and marked discarded. Remove pocket and bar code.
• Check for material from that might be used in Vertical File.
• Delete material from computer catalog.
• Indicate on the Inventory Record the number of volumes, titles, and copies in each category withdrawn from the collection.
• When equipment is withdrawn the Service Center should be sent the appropriate form.
   
   

Selection 

The school librarian assumes final responsibility for the selection of materials.  Materials shall be chosen by the librarian alone and in cooperation with the library committee (faculty, staff, and students). 

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION 

Materials chosen for inclusion in the collection should enrich and support the curriculum and the educational, emotional, and recreational needs if the users. 

Materials should meet high standards of quality in:

• Physical format
• Treatment of subject
• Accuracy and currency of information
• Arrangement and organization
• Literary style

Materials should be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning styles, and social development of students and facilitate the professional growth of teachers and administrators. 

Materials should represent differing viewpoints of controversial issues so that users may be motivated to engage in critical analysis of such issues, to explore their own beliefs, attitudes, and behavior, and to make intelligent judgments in their everyday lives. 

SELECTION TOOLS 

The following professional resources are available to assist the school librarian in the selection process; however, selection is not limited to the use of these tools.

School Library Journal

Media and Methods

Booklist

Various internet sources

BCS Book Selection Committee 

GIFTS