Library Policies

HOURS
CRMS Library is open 7:40 AM - 3:25 PM on school days. On Wednesdays, the CRMS faculty often meets in the library, so it may not be open for students on those afternoons from 2:55 on. Students are encouraged to wait in the library before school to relax, find books, create with Legos, draw, or do homework. After school students may use the library to find books, study, and do homework or research.

PASSES
Once the school day starts, students need a signed planner to visit the library unless they come to the library with their teacher for a specific class. As we need to know exactly where every student is, the signed planner is a must! Planners will be signed when the student leaves the library to return to their classroom.

BOOKS
The CRMS Library has over 16,000 volumes from which students and staff can choose. These materials offer a wide variety of juvenile and young adult fiction, nonfiction, and reference materials in many reading levels. Not all books in our collection will be appropriate for all students due to their wide range of interest and maturity levels. There is huge growth in students from grade 5 to grade 8 physically, mentally, and emotionally, and every student is unique. The librarian advises students if a book contains material that she feels may be too old or too young, too easy or too hard, a good fit or not; in cases where the student insists on taking out something the librarian does not recommend to them, he/she may call the parent or guardian in advance to obtain their permission. He/she does not serve in loco parentis...in place of the parent; the parent has the final say on what they allow their children to read. If a parent objects to materials in the library, they should first contact the librarian with their concerns. MSAD 28 has a book selection policy as well as a procedure for questioning books.

Fiction and nonfiction books may be checked out to students for three weeks at a time as long as they do not have any other materials overdue. Each student is able to check out as many books as they NEED; we encourage students not to stockpile books and to return any books they are not actively reading in order for the books to be available to others.

A student MUST bring in an item to renew it. Although the librarian has great faith in human nature, she also has a healthy sense of suspicion. Library materials may be renewed unless they have been reserved for another student or a staff member.

LOST OR DAMAGED LIBRARY MATERIALS
If an item is damaged or lost, the borrower is responsible for paying the replacement cost. Watch out for small children, puppies, and parents who clean their kids' rooms! In the past we have had books returned that were eaten by puppies, painted by toddlers, and even covered with vomit. Yuck! Please help take care of our books and let the librarian know if something unforeseen happens!


OVERDUE NOTICES
Throughout the school year, Mrs. Young will send email notices to those owing materials. Everyone is encouraged to return library materials on time and in good condition. The library does not charge fines. Reading is fun! Learning to be responsible for reading materials is important, too.

LIBRARY CURRICULUM
All fifth graders attend library orientation sessions at the beginning of their middle school careers to familiarize them with the library layout, rules, and the process of making appropriate book selections. Throughout the year, fifth graders will visit the library for a library skills class. This class is focused on increasing and improving the depth and breadth of student sustained silent reading.

In grade 6, in addition to their library skills class, students will use the library extensively during Social Studies units on Westward Expansion (Go for the Gold!), the 20s and 30s (Boom or Bust!), and World War II (Medal of Honor). Students work in teams during these units, practicing a variety of skills and working toward each unit's learning objectives.

During grade 7 students use the library for interactive social studies units like Voice of the Voter and Research-O-Rama. They also choose historical fiction books from the Civil Rights era and conduct Civil Rights research.

During grade 8, students use the library to research and prepare podcasts. One extensive writing project required of 8th graders is the persuasive essay which they research in the library and prepare works cited as well as embedded citations in preparation for writing papers during high school.

Every year, the library curriculum flexes to meet the needs of students and staff and to prepare students for the challenges of information gathering in the real world.