Borrowing
Check Out Policy
The number of books a person is allowed to have checked out depends on two things: their current account standing and their grade (or role) in the school.
Students in grades K-3 have an account that only allows them to have 1 book checked out at a time. Students in grades 4-6 have an account that only allows them to have 2 books checked out at a time. Students in grades 7-12 have an account that allows them to have 5 books check out at a time.
Teachers and staff members have accounts that allow them to have 10 books checked out at a time.
If a teacher puts in a special request for additional books or extended check out time, that may be arranged. Students are held responsible for their books they have checked out.
Students may check out and return books during their library rotation time or during open check out times. Students in grades K-6 attend library classes as part of a seven day rotation.
Staff may check out as many books or materials as needed. Items checked out by staff members are due back by the end of the school year.
Students with overdue books out may not check out another book until it has been returned or declared lost and paid for.
The number of books a person is allowed to have checked out depends on two things: their current account standing and their grade (or role) in the school.
Students in grades K-3 have an account that only allows them to have 1 book checked out at a time. Students in grades 4-6 have an account that only allows them to have 2 books checked out at a time. Students in grades 7-12 have an account that allows them to have 5 books check out at a time.
Teachers and staff members have accounts that allow them to have 10 books checked out at a time.
If a teacher puts in a special request for additional books or extended check out time, that may be arranged. Students are held responsible for their books they have checked out.
Students may check out and return books during their library rotation time or during open check out times. Students in grades K-6 attend library classes as part of a seven day rotation.
Staff may check out as many books or materials as needed. Items checked out by staff members are due back by the end of the school year.
Students with overdue books out may not check out another book until it has been returned or declared lost and paid for.
Checkout Time Periods
At the high school:
The default time period for checking out a book is until the end of the current quarter. A student may renew the book if they need more time. They may renew the book twice for an additional two weeks each time.
At the elementary school:
The default time period for checking out a book is three weeks. A student may renew the book if they need more time. They may renew the book three times. Fines are not placed on accounts until the end of the grading quarter.
Renewals
Students must show the librarian the book at the time of renewal, so the librarian can see that the student is in possession of the book and it's not lost or damaged.
If another student has put in a request for that same title, the student may not be able to renew the book.
If a teacher puts in a special request for a longer time period it will be automatically granted.
At the high school:
The default time period for checking out a book is until the end of the current quarter. A student may renew the book if they need more time. They may renew the book twice for an additional two weeks each time.
At the elementary school:
The default time period for checking out a book is three weeks. A student may renew the book if they need more time. They may renew the book three times. Fines are not placed on accounts until the end of the grading quarter.
Renewals
Students must show the librarian the book at the time of renewal, so the librarian can see that the student is in possession of the book and it's not lost or damaged.
If another student has put in a request for that same title, the student may not be able to renew the book.
If a teacher puts in a special request for a longer time period it will be automatically granted.
Book Selection Policy
I believe students should be free to select books that interest them. If a students wishes to learn about a topic, I will attempt to guide him/her to an appropriate level book on that topic.
The only titles that cannot be checked out are the reference books (i.e. encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.) unless given consent by the classroom teacher for research.
Students in K-1 are encouraged to select a book they would like to have read to them.
Students in 2-12 are encouraged to select a one book they can read independently.
Readability Test
I like the "five finger test" to judge the readability of a book for emergent readers. To check the reading level of the book, take this simple test:
2 Fingers: Okay.
3 Fingers: Just right!
4 Fingers: Challenging
5 Fingers: Too hard.
If a child checks out a book which they do not like, they may return the book the next day and select another. If a parent does not like a book a child selects, or feels the book is inappropriate they are encouraged to ask the child to return the book and select another. If a parent feels their child is consistently making selections they feel are inappropriate they are encouraged to contact the classroom teacher and the library staff.
I believe students should be free to select books that interest them. If a students wishes to learn about a topic, I will attempt to guide him/her to an appropriate level book on that topic.
The only titles that cannot be checked out are the reference books (i.e. encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.) unless given consent by the classroom teacher for research.
Students in K-1 are encouraged to select a book they would like to have read to them.
Students in 2-12 are encouraged to select a one book they can read independently.
Readability Test
I like the "five finger test" to judge the readability of a book for emergent readers. To check the reading level of the book, take this simple test:
- Open the book to the middle and choose any page to read.
- Whisper read the page to yourself.
- Put out 1 finger for every word you do not know or cannot pronounce.
- If you have 5 fingers out, the book is too difficult to read without help.
- If you do not get any fingers up, but are reading very slowly and decoding almost every word, you will not enjoy the book.
2 Fingers: Okay.
3 Fingers: Just right!
4 Fingers: Challenging
5 Fingers: Too hard.
If a child checks out a book which they do not like, they may return the book the next day and select another. If a parent does not like a book a child selects, or feels the book is inappropriate they are encouraged to ask the child to return the book and select another. If a parent feels their child is consistently making selections they feel are inappropriate they are encouraged to contact the classroom teacher and the library staff.