SRCS features an "open-access" media center that serves all students. Library services have been automated since 2000 and include roughly 18,000 items. Located behind the school office in the elementary building, the library houses two rooms: the main library and the children's room. The library is staffed with one librarian, a library aide, and several parent volunteers.
Students are encouraged to use the media center at any time -- individually, in small groups, or with their entire class. The grammar school grades have a scheduled weekly media center class period. Preschool through second grade classes focus on literacy enrichment (story time) while third through sixth grade classes focus on both literacy enrichment and information skills. Students come throughout the school week to check out or return books, take Accelerated Reader (AR) tests, and use the computers for research.
Policies
Preschool students may check out one item at a time. K-12 students may check out three items at a time. If a student is working on special research assignments, more than three items may be borrowed upon request and approval by the media staff. All items may be renewed before the due date. After the due date, all fines must be paid before items can be renewed.
Students are responsible for returning books on time. Due date is stamped on the item. Items may be returned daily from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Media Center. Late fees are $ .30/day per item and continue to accrue until the item is returned. Fines do not accrue on weekends, holidays, or excused absences. Students who have fines or have overdue items will not be permitted to borrow new items until all items are returned and fines are paid. Overdue notices will be emailed to parents.
Students who lose items should talk with the Media Center staff as soon as possible to initiate the procedure for repayment. If a book has to be replaced due to the book being damaged or lost, a replacement charge will be assessed at the cost of the book plus $10.00.
Making Good Choices
We recognize that as Christians we are given great liberty, while at the same time we are called to avoid license. What may be harmful for one person may not be harmful for one more mature and discerning. The Media Center extends to our users the broadest right and freedom to read, but as a parent, you may decide that your child should not check out certain books. It is not the intention of the Media Center to provide the student with learning experiences that are in conflict with the values of his/her parents. For this reason, we encourage you to be aware of what your child is reading and be available to discuss it with him/her. It is our desire that the students of SRCS will learn to be discerning and to evaluate all materials from a Christian perspective. A cooperative effort between the school and the parent ensures that the most effective learning conditions can be achieved.
Accelerated Reader
Reading is essential to school, essential to learning, and essential to life. Our goal in using the Accelerated Reader Program is for students to improve their reading comprehension skills and develop a lifelong love for reading. As part of the Language Arts program, K-6 students read an additional 20 minutes per day. Most of the time, they do this reading in class as they learn to focus on a good book. Sometimes, they complete their 20 minutes at home or even go beyond to finish that exciting chapter they started earlier in the day! Students take A.R. reading tests in the library upon the completion of a book as a way of demonstrating that he or she is learning vital comprehension skills and growing as a reader. Everyone’s pace is different, and with encouragement and support from teachers and family, all of our young readers will grow and learn to enjoy reading at their own individual levels.
ProQuest
Our school subscribes to ProQuest, a powerful homework helper and all-in-one research tool. With the Internet-based e-library, our school community has access to thousands of sources, which include a broad range of full-text newspapers and magazines and up-to-date news images, multimedia, graphics, maps, and audio/video clips. Best of all, it’s available at school or from home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
eLibrary is the database for our Grammar School students (K-6). eLibrary Curriculum Edition is the database for our Upper School level (grades 7-12). The SRCS Library makes these resources available free to every student at Seven Rivers Christian School. Tapping in through the school’s website can be done from school, at home, or at any other Internet-enabled computer.
Book Fair
Each November SRCS hosts a fall Scholastic Book Fair. This is the main fundraiser for the media center. Last year through funds raised at the book fair, we were able to purchase around 180 books to add to our collection. The 2011 -2012 Scholastic Book Fair is scheduled for November 14 - 18.