The LRC or library at McLane was certainly planned as the heart of the
school, literally and figuratively.
Referred to as the library, the fundamental role of the LRC is to
nurture the natural curiosity of young learners and to promote a lifelong love
of learning-- through ongoing opportunities with rich literature, nonfiction,
and multimedia materials. As the teacher-librarian, I try to support and
facilitate resource-based instruction, personal inquiry without artificial time
schedules, skills learned in authentic, real-life situations, and meaningful
integration of technology into the full life of the school. A teacher-librarian
can plan and team-teach with classroom teachers to fully integrate lessons and
learning for students. We have increasing chances for collaborating and teaming.
Flexible scheduling allows for optimum use of the LRC and for librarian/teacher
planning sessions. Students are invited to return and check out books each and
every day.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
I. Checking Out Books
All students are eligible for checkout unless they have lost or damaged
materials.
Upon notification by other school libraries, we will work with students to
return borrowed materials to their original school. Borrowing privileges may be
withheld until the missing materials are returned or replaced.
II. Terms of the Loan
Kindergarten students borrow one book at a time, and 1st grade students borrow two books at a time. 3rd through 5th grade students are allowed to check out three books. For special requests or projects, students may request additional materials from the library staff.
Books circulate typically for one week. The due date is one week from the
date of checkout. Students are welcome to return books any day of the week and
to get new materials. Additional times throughout the day will be made available for check out.
Most materials may be renewed for a second week. Students are strongly
encouraged to select materials which they can read within two weeks. Research
shows that taking much more than two weeks to finish reading a book seriously
affects comprehension and fluency, and may be an indication that the book is not
a perfect fit for your child at this point in their reading life.
Before withdrawing from McLane Elementary, students must return all
borrowed materials. Failure to do so will result in the new school librarian
being notified.
III. OVERDUE BOOKS
When books are seriously overdue, overdue notices are printed and sent to
the student's classroom to be distributed. If the books are not returned,
notices are sent to the parents.
Borrowing privileges are limited or curtailed while overdue materials remain
unreturned.
Students with chronic overdue materials may be encouraged or required to
keep library materials in their classrooms at school.
IV. LOST OR DAMAGED BOOKS
Students or their families are responsible for paying the replacement cost
of any book lost or significantly damaged. Processing costs are included in the
replacement cost of materials.
Students with financial constraints should see the teacher-librarian about
other means of paying off the debt.
Damaged books should be brought to the library for assessment and repair.
These items should not be repaired at home.
Failure to replace lost or significantly damaged materials by the end of the
school year will affect the student's ability to borrow materials the following
year.