Mission Statement

The mission of the Merced High School Library Media Program is to ensure that students are effective users of ideas and information. The library media center strives to provide the school community with a wide range of materials on appropriate levels of difficulty that will encourage growth in knowledge, establish a lifelong love of reading, and foster information literacy.

Goals of the School Library

The school library is integral to the educational process. The following are essential to the development of literacy, information literacy, teaching, and learning, and are considered to be the core school library services:

• Supporting and enhancing educational goals;
• Developing and sustaining in students the habit and enjoyment of reading and learning, and the use of libraries throughout their lives;
• Offering opportunities for experiences in creating and using information for knowledge, understanding, imagination, and enjoyment;
• Supporting all students in learning and practicing skills for evaluating and using information and providing access in all formats and media to local, regional, national, and global resources and opportunities that expose students to diverse ideas, experiences and opinions;
• Working with students, teachers, administrators and parents to achieve the mission of the school; proclaiming the concept that intellectual freedom and access to information are essential to effective and responsible citizenship and participation in a democracy;
• Promoting reading and the resources and services of the school library to the whole school community and beyond

Computers and Internet

Computer users and their parents/guardians should be aware that Merced High School does not have any control over the information on the Internet. While MHS's intent is to make Internet access available to aid in the collection of research materials and other educational uses, it is possible for the users to access other materials as well. Because control over the uses of the computer ultimately lies solely with the student, we strongly encourage parents and guardians to set and convey the standards that their children should follow while using computers. Parents and guardians should read the Responsible Use Agreement; signing the signature page indicates that both parent and student understand and agree to the policies as outlined therein.

Chromebooks

Chromebooks are issued to students as instructional tools that provide online access to resources and applications. Students are responsible keeping chromebooks clean and undamaged. Read more about chromebooks policies and insurance.

Textbooks

• Electronic textbooks may be available for some courses. Sharing downloaded chapters of electronic textbooks is a violation of copyright law and thus not permitted.
• Textbooks, workbooks, and other instructional materials are issued at the beginning of each semester and throughout the semester as requested by teachers.
• Textbooks for year-long classes are issued for the full school year.
• Textbooks for semester classes are issued at the beginning of each semester and should be turned in to the library at the end of the semester.
• Class novels and workbooks may be issued and returned during the course of one semester.
• Students need to report any and all existing damages to the librarian within 2 school days of checking out the book or other material.
• Students will be issued textbooks only for those classes in which they are enrolled.
• Students are required to return all textbooks to the library at the conclusion of the class, at the direction or request of the teacher and/or the Library staff, or if the student leaves Merced High School.
• Students are responsible for the care and preservation of all instructional materials checked out to them.

Overdue Notices

• Overdue notices will be sent regularly to patrons as reminders.
• Students with overdue materials may or may not be allowed to check out other materials until the overdue items are returned or renewed.
• Certain school activities and sports may be not allowed until all items are returned.

Lost Materials

• After a reasonable amount of time has elapsed, overdue items will be considered lost and students will be obligated to pay for them.
• Payment for lost items is made to the bookkeeper.
• Once payment is made, the student's record will be cleared in Aeries.
• If the item is found and returned in good condition, payment is refunded according to policy.

GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES

LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER CURRICULUM/ELA standards