Library Services

The mission of the middle school library is to ensure that students and staff members are effective users of ideas and information. Since World War II, there has been unprecedented growth in the volume of published information, often referred to as the "information explosion." Today, a vast amount of information is available for those who know how to find and use it. Students who are able to use information sources effectively can make learning a lifelong pursuit. Information literacy: -- learning how to learn -- is the key.

Information literacy is defined as the ability to recognize when information is needed and the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Students at the Pleasant Valley Middle School learn information literacy skills in an integrated approach with classroom learning. Subject area teachers and library personnel together develop lessons, activities, and projects which require the use of a variety of resources. Students are introduced to new materials and technologies when the need arises (i.e. when the completion of a classroom assignment necessitates the use of a particular source).

To provide accurate and current information in a variety of formats, the library makes effective use of information technology. The on-line catalog allows users to search for materials in the library’s collection by key word. Since the automated circulation system is integrated with the on-line catalog, students can immediately determine whether the book is on the shelf, checked out, or on reserve. If there are no materials available on a particular subject in the middle school collection, students can search the catalogs of over 500 libraries on the ACCESS PENNSYLVANIA CD-ROM database and request a book through interlibrary loan. The library’s FAX machine allows interlibrary loan requests to be filled quickly.

In addition to ACCESS PENNSYLVANIA, a variety of electronic reference sources are available on the CD-ROM network, such as, full-text magazine and newspaper articles, primary source historical documents, and college/career information databases. Membership in the Pennsylvania Department of Education LIN-TEL program provides access to hundreds of specialized on-line databases through Dialog, and document delivery through Mansfield University. A library account to the Internet provides access to endless resources on the worldwide network of computer networks.

A flexible open schedule provides access to the library when needed by individuals, groups and/or classes. Students come to the library for book selection and browsing periods with their reading teacher. Subject area teachers schedule class time in the library for students to learn the skills and sources necessary to complete research assignments. Teachers also send individual students or groups of students to the library from their class to work on research questions or assignments.

Students are encouraged to use the library during exploratory periods and after lunch to continue work on their research. All research assignments, required by classroom teachers, can be completed in the middle school library. The school library collection is developed to support the curriculum, and, often the school library has more information on assigned topics than the public library.

To ensure all students have fair access to limited materials, books are often placed on reserve. Books on reserve do not circulate; they may only be used in the library. A coin-operated photocopier is available for students to make copies of library materials, such as reserve books, reference books, and magazine articles.

A circulating reference section includes general and subject-specific encyclopedia sets, as well as almanacs. These materials circulate overnight; they are checked out at the end of the day, and they are due before first period of the following school day.

Each year, beginning the first full week of school, all students are scheduled for library orientation. During library orientation, each student is given a copy of the Library Handbook, which outlines the library services, policies, schedules, and organization. In addition, the handbook contains report writing guidelines, copyright guidelines, and the district-wide works-cited format. The annual library orientation program provides the library staff and students an opportunity to discuss the library program and to communicate expectations.