Nichols-Lawson Middle School Library Media Center 1550 Talladega Hwy. Sylacauga, Alabama (256)

To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for the second time is to meet an old one. -Anonymous, Chinese saying -Anonymous, Chinese saying

The NLMS Library Media Center supplies educational materials, which supplement and strengthen the curriculum. There are also materials to encourage reading, viewing, listening, and foster life-long learning. Mission

The NLMS Library/Media Center provides students with resources necessary for the successful completion of school assignments as well as materials for their own personal enjoyment. In addition to over 13,000 books, students have access to books on tape, videos, DVDs, magazines, and AVL (Alabama Virtual Library). Computers are available for Internet and CD-ROM information gathering purposes as well as for using word processing and multi-media presentation programs.

Library Rules Always enter the Library Media Center quietly. There should always be a quiet atmosphere in the Library/Media Center, so please work and browse quietly. Use a quiet voice so as not to disturb those who are studying or reading. Students may come to the Library/Media Center at any time during the school day to check out a book, do research, take AR tests, locate information on the internet, or just read. The Library/Media Center is not a place for social gathering, but a place where students may work and browse comfortably. Students must have a signed library pass before entering the Library/Media Center. The Library/Media Center staff will sign all passes when the student departs from the Library/Media Center. Absolutely no gum chewing, food, nor drink in the Library/Media Center.

Magazines are not to be taken out of the Library//Media Center. Current newspapers are kept for two weeks and then discarded. Do not put feet on furniture. Do not lean back in chairs. Do not disturb others. Do not engage in any behavior that is distracting to others. Do not check out materials for a friend. Walk; do not run in the Library/Media Center. Do not go upstairs (mezzanine) without permission Materials must be returned in good condition or there will be a replacement charge. Library records must be cleared before final report card will be released. Students who have chronic over dues may have borrowing privileges revoked or limited. Students who have chronic abuse of non-print items may have borrowing privileges revoked. Do not reshelf books- when browsing, please return any books that you do not want to its proper place. If you are unable to locate its proper place. Use the red or blue shelf markers located in the windows to mark your place or put the book on the small bookshelves located in the windows and the media center staff will put books back on the shelf. Return all books to the return slot in the circulation desk. Videos, DVDs, and audio- books are to be returned to the Library/Media Center staff.

Check Out Policies A library card/number from the NLMS Library/Media Center is needed to check out all items. Students may check out two books at a time, however, under special conditions with the permission from the librarian, students may check out additional books for overnight use. Books and audio-books can be checked out for two weeks, and can be renewed twice. Videos and DVDs can be checked out for one week and cannot be renewed. Books and other items must be checked out at the circulation desk. The barcode will be scanned and checked out to the students by the Library/Media Center staff. Due date will be marked in the back of each book or item checked out. A fine of $.05 per day will be charged for books and audio-books not returned on time. A fine of $ 0.10 per day will be charged for overnight books not returned by 1 st period the next day. A fine of $0.10 per day will be charged for videos and DVDs not returned on time. If you owe over $1.00 in library fines or have lost unpaid-for materials, you may only check out one book, etc., until fines or payments are cleared. Students are responsible for returning books or materials checked out in their name on time and undamaged.

All items checked out of the Library/Media Center must be returned in good condition or there will a replacement charge. Students must pay for lost or damaged books. The replacement cost for videos can be up to $25.00 and the replacement cost for audiocassettes is $11.00 each. If a lost book or item is found later, the money will be refunded if it is not damaged. All books or materials taken out of the Media Center must be checked out. When returning books, put them through the return slot located in the side of the circulation desk. Books returned to any other place are still the responsibility of the person who borrowed them. Do not put videos, DVDs, or audio-books in the return slot. Return them to the Library/ Media Center staff at the circulation desk.

Computer Rules Students are encouraged to use the computers in the Library/Media Center to aid their research whether for classroom assignments or for independent study. The computers may not be used for any other reason. Internet usage is available to all students who have turned in their Acceptable Use Policy, indicating that parents have given them Internet permission. Usage is limited and monitored. The Library/Media Center staff should find them in educational relevant sites or taking AR tests. The Library/Media Center staff should not find them in , chat rooms, games, shopping sites, or any other inappropriate sites. Request computer usage at the Circulation Desk Please sign in legibly before using the computer (name, date, time, computer #). Signing in provides proof that you were at the Library/Media Center Computer workstation and also helps to keep statistic records. Students must save work to a disk, not the hard drive. Disks are available for purchase at the circulation desk.

A network printer is located at the desk for students’ use. *Students may print up to 3 pages per article free of charge (sorry no large pictures). After the first 3 pages, the fee is $0.10 per page.A network printer is located at the desk for students’ use. *Students may print up to 3 pages per article free of charge (sorry no large pictures). After the first 3 pages, the fee is $0.10 per page. Have food, drink, gum, or candy Are rolling in their chair or continually raising and lowering the chair Using equipment for copying purposes Changing any settings on the equipment without permission (i.e. sound, color, screen saver, etc.) Downloading or installing unauthorized software Students will be asked to leave the computer workstation if they:

Arrangements of Books/Materials Arrangements of Books/Materials Fiction Fiction books are arranged on the shelves alphabetically according to the author’s last name. If an author has written more than one book, the books by that author are placed together on the shelf and then arranged alphabetically according to title. Ignore A, An, and The when they are the first word in a title. Non-Fiction Non-Fiction books (with numbers) are books that have information that you need for your reports. The Library/Media Center contains an entire section of non-fiction books that can be checked out. These books are arranged by the Dewey decimal classification system. Reference Books Reference books are identified by an “R” above the Dewey decimal number and are located in the mezzanine.

Biography A biography is the story of a person’s life. An autobiography is the story of a person’s life written by himself. Biographies are non-fiction books. In the Library/Media Center, biographies and autobiographies are classed together by the last name of the biographer and are shelved in a special section of the Library/Media Center. The classification number reserved for biography is “B”. Videos and DVDs Videos and DVDs are arranged on the shelves alphabetically by the title and are located in a special section of the Library/Media Center. Ignore A, An, and The when they are the first word in a title. Audio-Books Audio-books are arranged on the shelves alphabetically according to the author’s last name and are located in a special section of the Library/Media Center. Easy Books are identified by an “E” and are located in a special section of the Library/Media Center. Paperbacks Paperbacks are arranged on rotating towers alphabetically according to the author’s last name and are located in a special section of the Library/Media Center.

Magazines and Newspapers Magazines and Newspapers There are four cushioned chairs located near the Library/Media Center entrance for your relaxation. Located in this area are over 30 current magazines and three newspapers. Students will be asked to leave this area if they are talking or playing. Please return any magazines or newspapers to its proper place before leaving this area.

Accelerated Reader Accelerated Reader The Accelerated Reader program is a computerized program that tests reading comprehension. Students select books on their reading level, read independently, and take an independent test on the computer. The primary goals of this program are to have students read more and to become better readers.

Tips for Successful AR Tests Tips for Successful AR Tests Read carefully Read a book that interests you Read at a “good” pace for you Start another book if the book you are reading is confusing or go back and re-read Jot down a quick summary after each chapter or after a certain number of pages Re-read if it is a short book Read as much as you can everyday Count pages or chapters to plan how much you should read each night Pay attention to details On the quiz, think before you answer Make a practice quiz while you’re reading Challenge yourself Get recommendations from friends Have a someone ask you questions after each chapter Find a peer who has read the same book and discuss it

AR Tips cont. Make post-it notes and place them in the book Use post-it notes to write questions you have about the book After each chapter, write down important things that have happened in the story Think about what AR may ask Write down all characters’ names and traits Outline chapter events Re-write parts of chapters in your own words to check for understanding Pay attention to quotes and what the characters are saying Read in a quiet place Always use a bookmark Re-read the last page where you stopped before moving on

Tips for Students Discuss with your teacher your individual reading level. You will be required to read books that have a reading level within a specific range, for example: reading level If you read a book below your level it may be very easy to read but may not be accepted by your teacher as points earned for your Accelerated Reader assignments. If you read a book above your reading level, it will be more difficult to read, and may or may not be accepted by your teacher for points earned. It is best to read within the AR range assigned to you by your teacher. You must check the AR Quiz Title list to make sure there is an AR quiz for the book you have chosen. Check the reading level. Check points value of that book.

Alabama Virtual Library The Alabama Virtual Library provides all students, teachers, and citizens of the State of Alabama with online access to essential library and information resources. It is primarily a group of online databases that have magazine, journal, and newspaper articles for research. See the Library/Media Center staff to register for your home access AVL card and begin a journey of discovery through the Alabama Virtual Library.

School Store School Store The Library/Media Center sells a small variety of school supplies. It is important that students have a pass when they come to buy supplies during class. If a student comes to buy supplies before or after class without a pass, and they are late for that class, the Library/Media Center staff will not issue a late pass.

Events Teen Read Week – October (8 th grade) Children’s Book Week- November (6 th grade) Food for Fines Week- Thanksgiving and Christmas Read Across America- March (6 th and 7 th grade) Book Fair- Fall and Spring National Library Week- April TV-Turn Off and Read Week-May