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Behavior Expectations
Show respect for fellow library users. Talk quietly so you do not disrupt other staff or students.
Treat library materials and equipment with care.
No food, drinks (water is okay), personal electronic devices are not permitted.
📖Salida Middle School Library Media Center Policies & Procedures
🕒 Hours of Operation
● Student Open Hours: 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
● Class Visits: Scheduled via Library Schedule by teachers, at least 3 days prior to visit. If a class needs to be accommodated on short notice please contact the Library Media Clerk directly.
● Lunch Access: Open during all lunch periods, with the exception of there being scheduled classroom visits. A notice will be posted on Library doors in the event it is closed during student lunch periods.
📚 Circulation & Checkout Rules
● Book Limit: Students may check out up to 3 books at one time.
● Loan Period: Books are loaned for 2 weeks or 14 days.
● Renewals: Items can be renewed up to 2 times, provided no other student has placed a hold on the title.
● Overdues: We do not charge daily overdue fines. However, students with 2 or more overdue items cannot check out additional books until the late items are returned or renewed.
⚠️Lost or Damaged Materials
● Lost Status: A book is automatically flagged as "Lost" in Alexandria after being overdue for 30 days.
● Lost Limit: A student with 2 or more lost items cannot check out additional books until the fines are resolved or the books are returned.
● Replacement Fees: Students are responsible for paying the replacement cost of lost or severely damaged books.
● Payment Alternatives: If a family cannot afford a replacement fee, students can resolve the account by working as a library helper for 3 lunch periods or donating a new/gently used book for the 11-13 age range.
🧭 Student Access & Pass System
● During Class Time: Students visiting individually from a class must
present a physical Library Pass signed by the teacher of their
current class period.
● Sign-In: Every independent student must scan their student ID or
write their ID number and the time on the Sign-In sheet upon
entering and leaving.
● Behavior Expectations: The library is a multi-use space. We enforce
the "Three Zones" rule:
○ Green Zone (Group Tables): Collaborative work, conversational
voices.
○ Yellow Zone (Circulation & Stacks): Browsing books, moving
around quietly.
○ Blue Zone (Reading Nooks): Independent reading and silent
study.
🖥️ Technology & Digital Database
● Loaner Computer Use: Chromebook loaners are strictly for
schoolwork, catalog browsing, or testing. Gaming and personal
streaming are prohibited on school-issued computers.
● Digital Access: Students can access online databases and resources
via The Blue Page using their standard school single sign-on (SSO)
credentials.
📚 Salida Middle School Library Media Center: Collection Development Policy
🎯 Mission and Objectives
The primary mission of the Salida Middle School Library Media Center is to foster a lifelong love of reading, support the school curriculum, and ensure that students and staff are effective, ethical users of ideas and information.
The library strives to provide a safe, inclusive environment with a diverse collection that serves as both a "mirror" (reflecting students' own identities and experiences) and a "window" (offering views into the lives and experiences of others).
🔍Selection Criteria
Ms. Rodriguez is responsible for selecting materials with the input of administration, faculty, and students. Materials must meet at least two of the following objective criteria to be added to the collection:
● Curricular Relevance: Directly supports or enriches the school's academic standards, themes, and grade-level units.
● Age Appropriateness: Matches the emotional, cognitive, social, and reading development levels of middle school students (typically ages 11–14).
● Literary/Artistic Merit: Demonstrates high-quality writing, accurate facts, clear illustrations, or significant cultural value.
● Positive Professional Reviews: Recommended by at least one reputable, peer-reviewed library journal, including School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, or The Horn Book.
● Representation: Reflects diverse viewpoints, cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and identities to ensure equitable representation of the student body and global community.
🤝 Donations and Gifts
The library accepts donations of physical books under the strict condition that they are evaluated using the exact same selection criteria as purchased materials. Gift items that are damaged, heavily worn, textually outdated, or inappropriate for middle schoolers will be discarded or donated elsewhere at the librarian's discretion.
FAQ’s
Q: How long do I keep the book?
A: Books are checked out for 2 weeks and may be renewed. Students may check out books at any time during the day when the library is open
Q: Do I need a library card?
A: Your student picture I.D. can be scanned for check-out, but it is not required. All you need is a student I.D. #
Q: Can I put a book on hold?
A: Yes, please come visit the library at any time to place holds
Q: What if there’s a book I want but the library doesn’t have it?
A: We are always looking to expand the collection. Just let Ms. Rodriguez know what book it is, and after a thorough vetting process she just might be able to get a copy for you.