Frequently Asked Questions
How is the library organized?
The library has several different sections: non-fiction, "everybody simple nonfiction" (dark blue labels), "E" (everyone), just right fiction (red labels), graphic novels (green labels), fiction, young adult (yellow labels), and biography. Volunteer Laura Scarbro made this wonderful map that is also posted in the library.
How are books organized in each section?
E and Fiction books are organized by the first three letters of the author's last name. Their call numbers are E ABC, F ABC, or FIC ABC. These books are shelved in alphabetical order by author's last name.
Non-fiction book call numbers are numbers followed by the first three letters of the author's last name. They are shelved first in numerical order, then by the first three letters of the author's last name, and finally by title (if necessary).
Biography books are identified by the label B/BIO and the subject's last name. They are shelved in alphabetical order of subject's last name.
The right-most column of the library map has a handy reference guide (see above).
Non-fiction book call numbers are numbers followed by the first three letters of the author's last name. They are shelved first in numerical order, then by the first three letters of the author's last name, and finally by title (if necessary).
Biography books are identified by the label B/BIO and the subject's last name. They are shelved in alphabetical order of subject's last name.
The right-most column of the library map has a handy reference guide (see above).
I'm not certain where to shelve a book. What should I do?
If you are not certain where a particular book goes, you can either ask Chris Chin (the library aide) for help, or you can leave it for another volunteer to shelve later.
Why is everything moving around?
The library is being reorganized to make it more user-friendly for students and volunteers alike. Part of that process is moving books around, so for a time the shelves will look peculiar and the labels will not match up exactly. They will be moved when everything is done, but for now, please be patient, and if you can't find something, don't hesitate to ask.
Who is allowed to check out Young Adult (Yellow Label) books?
The YA books may be checked out by 7th and 8th grade students. Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 who have parental permission may also check out YA books - if they have a signed permission slip, their record says "Approved 2013-14" on the computer.
There is also a list of students that is updated as new permission slips are received. This list is in the circulation binder with a yellow label that says "YA" on it.
There is also a list of students that is updated as new permission slips are received. This list is in the circulation binder with a yellow label that says "YA" on it.
How do I renew a book for a student?
To renew a book, change the menu option to "Renew" at the top of the screen (where you change between "bookdrop" and "checkout." Then scan the books - they will renew automatically.
If a student does NOT have their book but wishes to renew it, ask them for their name and class, then scan their barcode from the binder. When their record comes up, click the "renewals" button in the top of the gray screen (the bottom half) and then select the title to renew. When you have done this, click "renew" at the bottom of the screen.
If a student does NOT have their book but wishes to renew it, ask them for their name and class, then scan their barcode from the binder. When their record comes up, click the "renewals" button in the top of the gray screen (the bottom half) and then select the title to renew. When you have done this, click "renew" at the bottom of the screen.
How many times can a student renew a book?
Students may renew books twice. They do not need to bring their book in for it to be renewed.
A student has already renewed a book twice. What should I do?
If a student has already renewed a book twice, please ask them to come and see me to get approval to renew it again. If I am unavailable, feel free to override the maximum number of renewals. You can do this by clicking "override" on the box that pops up when a book has been renewed more than once.
A student wants to check out a book, but the system says it's not for circulation. What do I do?
These books are old reference books that are now available for circulation. If this happens, simply override the warning to allow the book to be checked out, and please make a note of the title. This way the information can be changed in the system to allow the book to be checked out with no issue.
Where do I find ID numbers for faculty and staff who wish to check out books?
There is a list of faculty, staff, and parent ID numbers in the back of the circulation binder.
I've noticed books that are in need of repair. What do I do?
If you come across a book that looks to be in need of repair, please put it on Chris' desk in the library office. She will handle all repairs using materials that help preserve the longevity of the books.
There are no books for me to shelve - what else can I do?
Sometimes it happens that there are very few books for a volunteer to reshelve. If this is the case, please feel free to walk around the library and do "housekeeping" as you see fit. A particularly valuable task is "shelf reading," scanning the shelves to make certain everything is in the correct order so it can be found. In non-fiction, this means making certain books are in the correct numerical order, and in the fiction sections, in alphabetical order. The "E" section in particular is often in need of shelf reading because the younger students put the books back in the wrong spot when browsing.
Why is library time different this year?
Classes visit library at a fixed time each week for 41 minutes (1-4th grade) or 35 minutes (pre-K/K), and the expectation is that age-appropriate instruction is happening during that time, just like in any other specialty (art, music, foreign language).
