"The mission of the library media program is to ensure that students...are effective users of ideas and information"
The library media teacher-
- teaches essential information & technology skills - integrated with Bellingham School District's curriculum
- is an advocate of reading - through guidance and promotion
- manages and provides information services, systems, resources, and facilities
Policies For Teacher & Student Use Of The Library Media Center
General Information
- Our hours are 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The library is open for student, parents and Alderwood staff.
- The library phone is 676-6486.
BOOKS
- Students have access to the library formally once a week with their class to check out books.. Students are welcome to visit the library from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm with a pass to return books and do a new check out. Students and families are responsible for the care and return of library books.
- If a book is damaged or lost, please see the librarian for the cost of replacement for the book. Often a family can purchase a new book, ie. a paperback, to replace the lost or damaged book.
- Parents are encouraged to visit the library where an account will be created for them, and they may check out books to read to their children or for their own pleasure. See librarian for accounts.
- Teachers, student teachers/postbacs: Materials may be checked out for the length of a unit of study. Please return them promptly after use.
- Teachers, student teachers/postbacs: Please check out books for classroom use only; books checked out to teachers should not go home with students. If a student loses a book checked out to you, you are liable for the cost of the book!
- Teachers, student teachers/postbacs: Please do not exhaust a topic by checking out all the materials on that topic, because other students or teachers may also want to use our limited resources.
Library Computer Lab
Alderwood's computers are on a network, and all students and staff have access to computers for learning computer skills, information gathering, publishing their work and communicating with others. Students have computer mini-pods in their classrooms, have access to the computer lab in the library on a daily basis and receive weekly training with their class. Students go through training on computer usage, computer skills, ethical use during computer usage and proper use of the Internet and e-mail. All staff has acess to the Internet and e-mail and sign an agreement out-lined in Board Policy. Grades 3, 4, & 5 students will have access to the Internet & e-mail after a training with the library/media specialist, and an agreement, outlined in the Bellingham School District's Policy, is signed by both the parents and students. (Board Policy)
Orientation and Scheduling
The library media teacher will provide a library orientation for staff, at the beginning of the year, and for student teachers, post-bac students, and college interns during the calendar year as needed. Library media teacher and classroom teachers in the fall will plan a schedule of library, computer classes and research projects for the calendar year.
Alderwood’s library media center uses flexible scheduling to support literacy and the teaching of technology skills. Teacher may sign up for additional classes for library research projects and computer skill classes. Teachers may also sign up on a regular basis (weekly, bi-weekly or tri-weekly) for additional computer times (20-30 minutes). Please check with librarian if you would like to sign up to use the library.
Teaming With The Library
Please include Library/media teacher in your curriculum planning. She will be glad to meet with teams and individuals to help plan units of study. She continues to order materials throughout the year and will be delighted to customize the collection to your instructional needs. Please schedule in advance for use of the library space and research projects. A calendar of class projects will be developed with each classroom teacher and posted. Library/media teacher schedule is posted behind the check out counter and individual teachers are welcome and encouraged to sign up or change times.
Other services that the library and library staff provides includes:
Library helpers: parent/student training
Parent check out
Training of students and staff to use computers for research
Training of students and staff to use computers and new programs
Information on copyright
Training of students and staff to use the Internet
Assistance in teaching and providing the lab for Literacy and publishing
Web page support
Trouble shooting computer, printer, and other equipment problems
And anything else you can think of!
