Procedures and Policies

 
Library Procedures

Pre-K: Weekly storytime visits.  Check-outs can only be to the teacher or to 
the parents.  Parents of pre-K or PPCD students may check out items for 
these children. 

Kindergarten: Weekly visits, with bi-weekly storytimes.  Kindergarten 
students will be able to check out one book apiece after a few initial weeks 
of acclimation.  A letter goes home to be signed by a parent regarding care 
of books.  Plastic baggies are issued by the library to help kindergarteners 
protect their books.

First and Second Grades: Storytime is bi-weekly; check-out every week.  
Students may check out two books apiece.

Third through Fifth Grades: Students check out material from the library 
according to their teacher's preferred routine.  Book talks and research 
lessons take place during the year as arranged by instructors and 
librarian.  Third graders may check out two items; one item can be a 
magazine.  Fourth and fifth graders may check out three items, including an 
option for one magazine, with teachers' permission.

* While books are checked out for two-week periods, students are encouraged 
to bring library books back to the library for return or re-check any time 
they have a scheduled library day.  Parents can help by reminding their 
children to make sure their library books are taken to school on their 
library day.  A chart of class library days is posted on this Web site.  

* All students are welcome to check out, return, or re-check materials at 
their convenience.  The library also has several study tables, a generous 
reference section, and nine student computers.  With sufficient notice, the 
librarian can arrange for additional wireless laptops to suit class 
needs.      

* Our online catalog can be accessed from anywhere in the world.  

* Online databases provide a wealth of reliable research information.  
Students are not permitted to "Google" for information on campus without 
their teacher's permission and supervision regarding the task at hand.  The 
librarian can assist with databases.  Parents are encouraged to keep 
database user names and passwords in a safe place near the home computer.

* Parents may check out as many as six items at a time.

* Items may be put on hold, and the person placing the hold will be notified 
when the item comes in.  Additionally, parents and teachers are 
encouraged to look in the RRISD I-Bistro catalog if an item is not in the 
stacks at the Forest Creek library.  Any item in the RRISD catalog can be 
checked out through the Forest Creek library through Inter-Library loan.  
This usually only takes a few days at the most.  Let Mrs. Pabst or Mrs. 
Smith help you with the Inter-Library loan, to ensure the best service for 
you.

* If a student has overdue items, the librarian may require the student to 
tend to those items before more materials can be checked out.  Parents will 
be notified about overdue or damaged items.


Library Behavior

* Students should come to the library with a purpose during the school day.  
They may come with their whole class for quick-check or instruction, in 
small groups to fulfill a specific task given by their teacher, or 
individually to study, read, research, or find a book.  Library passes 
should indicate the purpose of a visit.  

* Students are welcome in the library after school during library hours.  

* Respect for others is important.  Quiet voice levels are especially 
necessary when more than one activity/group are in the library.

* "Walking feet" and shelf markers are important.  Please keep materials 
orderly, and ask for help if you are not sure where something goes.  Take 
care of library materials like you would any other item you might borrow 
from anyone.  If a book gets damaged, let the library staff know so they 
might see if it can be repaired instead of replaced.

* The library staff and volunteers enjoy helping children and welcome their 
questions.  

* Students who are not with their teacher and continue to be disruptive or 
off-task after one warning will be sent back to class.

* Students and parents should not bring food into the library.  Food may be 
available for special circumstances or events at the librarian's discretion, 
or during faculty meetings before or after school, but during the regular 
instructional day, unscheduled goodies distract library visitors and require 
extra cleaning attention.