About the library
TIS LMC FACTS
- HOW ARE BOOKS ORGANIZED?
- WHY DO BOOKS HAVE SPINE LABELS OF DIFFERENT COLORS?
- WHAT ARE THE LIBRARY HOURS?
- WHO CAN CHECK OUT BOOKS?
- HOW LONG CAN I KEEP A BOOK?
- WHAT HAPPENS IF I RETURN A BOOK LATE?
- WHAT HAPPENS IF I DAMAGE OR LOSE A BOOK?
NonFiction
Nonfiction books are written to inform the reader. These books are rich in
factual information. Melville Dewey created a classification system which uses
numbers to indicate what a book is about so that books about the same topic
are grouped together in a library. In TIS LMC, nonfiction books begin with a
Dewey number, then the first three letters of the author’s last name, then the
language code.
If you know the Dewey number of the topic you are seeking, you know that all
other books on that topic have the same Dewey number and will be located
together in the library.* 000 – Computer science, information, and general works
* 100 – Philosophy and psychology
* 200 – Religion
* 300 – Social sciences
* 400 – Language
* 500 – Science
* 600 – Technology
* 700 – Arts and recreation
* 800 – Literature
* 900 – History and geography
Biography (921) and Collective Biography (920)
A biography is about the life of one person. The call number uses the Dewey number for biography, 921, then the first three letters of the subject’s lastname, then the language code. A collective biography (920) is about more than one person.
Reference Books (R)
Reference books provide extensive information on one or several subjects.
These books usually don’t leave the library. Some are checked out for one day.
The call numbers for reference books begin with “R,” the Dewey number for the
subject covered, then the first three letters of the author’s last name, or
the first three letters of the title if the author is not identified. There is
also a language code in our library.
Fiction (F)
Fiction books are books whose purpose is to entertain the reader. While there
may be factual events or persons in the story, a fiction book is not meant to
be a resource of information. For fiction, the call number is “F,” then thefirst three letters of the author’s last name, then the language code.
Big Books (BIG)
These books are fiction or nonfiction and are cataloged by their large format
for story time. The call number is BIG, followed by the first three letters of
the author’s last name, then the language code. These book may not be checked out.
Picture Books (P)
These books are usually story books with color illustrations or photographs.
The call number is “P” and then the first three letters of the author’s last
name, then the language code.
Early Readers (E)
These books are cataloged together because of their special format for
learning to read. The call number is “E” and then the first three letters of
the author’s last name, then the language code.
Board Books (BOARD)
These book are characterized by their thick pages for the youngest readers.
The call number begins with “Board,” then the first three letters of the
author’s last name, then the language code.Back to Top
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LANGUAGE CODES:
Chinese — CH
English — EN (White label)
Japanese — JA
Spanish — SPFor quick visual language information, the spine label of each book is
color-coded to indicate the language of the text. Bilingual books are given
call numbers reflecting the track language but have small color-coded dots on
the spines to indicate other languages inside. For example, a book with a blue
spine label and a white dot indicates a book with text in Japanese and English.Back to Top
Monday-Thursday 9 am-3:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am-12:30 pm
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Students, teachers, parents and staff may check out library materials. Grades K-5 will have the opportunity to check out books during library classes. Pre K and Low K students may check out books when accompanied by a parent or guardian during library hours. Items may also be reserved by phone or email for pick up after hours.
K-1 students may borrow one item at a time
Grades 2-3 may borrow two items at a time.
Grades 4-5 may borrow three items at a time.
Parents are welcome to get their own library cards.
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Two weeks with the option to renew if the book is not on hold for someone else.
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Students will not incur fines for late books, but please check the due date
recorded on the back of each book and return it on time. Books not returned
will be billed to parents.There are two book return drops: 1) just inside the library media center door and 2) in Stearns Hall.
Thank you!Back to Top
If a book is lost or damaged during the school year, a parent must contact the
librarian so that you/your child may continue to borrow books from the
library. Parents will be billed if a book is lost, damaged or not returned by
the end of May. Please keep in mind that many of the library books are surprisingly expensive due to the cost of acquiring them abroad and may be difficult to replace.Back to Top
POLICIES
I. STATEMENT OF LIBRARY POLICIES
Introduction
The American Library Association, the Oregon Association of School Libraries, as well as most other state library and school library associations, recommend that all libraries develop and maintain written policies to serve as guidelines for those responsible for the collection, and to inform the community of the policies and practices of the library.
This Policy identifies and describes the process by which the librarian and staff of the International School Library Media Center (TIS LMC) make decisions about selecting books and other materials for its collections, as well as defining practices for weeding, access to materials, challenges to materials and acceptance of donations.
The purpose and mission of The International School serves as the foundation for these policies. In addition, the guiding principles set out by the American Library Association, the American Association of School Librarians, and the Oregon Association of School Libraries were also consulted.
The Mission of The International School Library Media Center
The mission of TIS LMC is to promote literacy in more than one language, to foster a love of reading and literature, and to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas, information and technology.
TIS LMC will actively pursue this mission by providing access to a wide variety of materials in Chinese, English, Japanese and Spanish and by providing instruction designed to:
- Support and enrich the language immersion mission of the school.
- Employ the latest technologies
- Support and enrich the general and International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme curriculum through library classes and collaboration with classroom teachers.
- Encourage inquiry-based learning and critical thinking.
- Extend students’ knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
- Foster a love of reading and literature.
II. COLLECTION
The primary objective of TIS LMC is to enrich and support the curriculum of the school. The school librarian will be responsible for selecting materials for TIS LMC to meet this primary goal. TIS LMC will provide a wide range of materials to support all grade levels and staff in four languages–Chinese, English, Japanese and Spanish–with consideration for diversity of appeal and different points of view. Such materials will include print and electronic resources, audiovisual resources, multimedia resources and that of any other applicable technology. The following will be considered during the selection process:
- Materials that support and enrich the curriculum, reflecting a variety of interests, abilities, learning needs, learning styles and maturity levels of the student population in a multilingual environment.
- Materials for teachers and students which encourage growth in knowledge, and that will benefit the development of literary, cultural and aesthetic appreciation.
- Materials that represent different and varied ideas, religious beliefs, and social, political, historical, or world groups and their cultural contributions.
- Materials in a variety of formats to support student learning needs in a language immersion environment.
III. CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF MATERIALS
The Librarian will consult professionally recognized reviewing periodicals, standard catalogs, and other selection tools to guide in materials selection. Requests for the purchase of materials from staff and students will be honored when appropriate and within TIS LMC budget. Special consideration will be given to multicultural literature.
A. Materials will be selected on the basis of the following:
- Relevance to the curriculum and to the interests of the students and teachers
- Favorable reviews in professional journals
- Favorable recommendations of materials by teachers
- Reputation of the author, producer and/or publisher
- Validity, currency, and appropriateness of material
- Contribution to multicultural and international awareness
- Representative viewpoints on controversial issues
- High degree of potential user appeal
- High artistic quality and/or literary style
- Quality and variety of format
- Value commensurate with cost and/or need
- Timeliness or permanence
- Suitability for high circulation
B. Selection is an ongoing process which will include the removal of materials no longer appropriate and the replacement of lost, worn, outdated and damaged materials still of educational value. See Section V.
C. Gift materials shall be judged by the criteria outlined above and shall be accepted or rejected by those criteria. See Section VI.
IV. ACCESS TO MATERIALS
TIS LMC adheres to the tenets of the Library Bill of Rights and does not restrict access to its collection by age or grade. It does, however, strive to provide age-appropriate materials and to place materials within the appropriate collection (Picture Books, General Fiction and Nonfiction, Professional Resources, etc.) and to recommend suitable materials to individual students.
Parents are the ultimate authority on what is or is not appropriate for their child and are encouraged to communicate directly with their child about any limitations they wish to place on his/her reading, and to ask the librarian for recommended alternatives to materials they consider unsuitable for their child.
Parents will have the option of restricting their child’s checkout privileges at the beginning of each school year.
V. WEEDING AND MATERIALS
Weeding
Materials may be removed from the collection periodically at the discretion of the Librarian. Materials will be removed from the collection for the following reasons:
- Circulation: The material has not been used in five years
- Physical Condition: An item is in poor condition, damaged or missing parts
- Timeliness: An item is a) obsolete, particularly in the sciences and technology; (b) no longer in demand or not in support of the curriculum; or (c) superseded by newer editions
- Reliability: Materials are inaccurate, incomplete or otherwise unreliable
- Duplicates: Duplicates are no longer in demand
- Space: Physical space is limiting
Discarding Materials
Materials may be removed from TIS LMC in the following ways:
- Offered to a teacher for a classroom collection
- Used in a school book exchange
- Sold in order to raise money for TIS LMC
- Donated to a charitable organization
- Recycled or thrown away
VI. GIFTS POLICY
TIS LMC welcomes gifts and donations.
All donations of materials are subject to the same collection development and weeding criteria as described in Sections II, III and V. In addition:
- Donations of library-quality, valuable or rare materials will be acknowledged with a book plate.
- Tax receipts are available from the Front Office; library staff cannot evaluate the monetary value of any gift for tax purposes
- Donations of cash, furnishings or equipment must be approved by the Librarian or Head of School
VII. CHALLENGES TO MATERIALS
Any TIS student, teacher or other school community member may challenge the appropriateness of a particular library item. It will be the policy of TIS LMC to object to censorship and to defend the rights of the school’s students to intellectual freedom and the right to read.
STEP 1
When TIS LMC receives a question about a particular item, the Librarian will attempt to resolve the issue through informal discussions of the issues and by explaining the school’s collection development policies. The Librarian may or may not decide to remove the item at their discretion based on the merits of the complaint.
STEP 2
In the event a resolution is not reached in Step 1, the complainant may file a formal challenge by completing a Reconsideration of Materials Form available from the Librarian. Upon receiving such a form, the Librarian will inform the Head of School, who will assign a review committee to examine the material in question. The review committee will include, but is not limited to: the Librarian, one Library Committee representative, the Head of School, the Principal, one PTO representative and two teachers who have a vital interest in and/or expertise regarding the language or subject of the item. The committee will meet to discuss the challenge in a timely manner and to prepare a recommendation on the resolution of the matter. The challenged material will be removed from the library until the matter has been resolved. The Head of School will inform the complainant in writing of the decision made by the review committee. The recommendation will be implemented by the library.
*The International School Mission:
The International School inspires children to become global citizens by providing a rigorous and comprehensive education within a nurturing, student-centered environment of full immersion in multiple languages and cultures.
Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic polices should guide their services.
1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person’s right to use a Library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
Adopted June 18, 1948.
Amended February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980,
inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council.
Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program
An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
The school library media program plays a unique role in promoting intellectual freedom. It serves as a point of voluntary access to information and ideas and as a learning laboratory for students as they acquire critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed in a pluralistic society. Although the educational level and program of the school necessarily shapes the resources and services of a school library media program, the principles of the Library Bill of Rights apply equally to all libraries, including school library media programs.
School library media specialists assume a leadership role in promoting the principles of intellectual freedom within the school by providing resources and services that create and sustain an atmosphere of free inquiry. School library media specialists work closely with teachers to integrate instructional activities in classroom units designed to equip students to locate, evaluate, and use a broad range of ideas effectively. Through resources, programming, and educational processes, students and teachers experience the free and robust debate characteristic of a democratic society.
School library media specialists cooperate with other individuals in building collections of resources appropriate to the needs and to the developmental and maturity levels of students. These collections provide resources that support the mission of the school district and are consistent with its philosophy, goals, and objectives. Resources in school library media collections are an integral component of the curriculum and represent diverse points of view on both current and historical issues. These resources include materials that support the intellectual growth, personal development, individual interests, and recreational needs of students.
While English is, by history and tradition, the customary language of the United States, the languages in use in any given community may vary. Schools serving communities in which other languages are used make efforts to accommodate the needs of students for whom English is a second language. To support these efforts, and to ensure equal access to resources and services, the school library media program provides resources that reflect the linguistic pluralism of the community.
Members of the school community involved in the collection development process employ educational criteria to select resources unfettered by their personal, political, social, or religious views. Students and educators served by the school library media program have access to resources and services free of constraints resulting from personal, partisan, or doctrinal disapproval. School library media specialists resist efforts by individuals or groups to define what is appropriate for all students or teachers to read, view, hear, or access via electronic means.
Major barriers between students and resources include but are not limited to imposing age or grade level restrictions on the use of resources; limiting the use of interlibrary loan and access to electronic information; charging fees for information in specific formats; requiring permission from parents or teachers; establishing restricted shelves or closed collections; and labeling. Policies, procedures, and rules related to the use of resources and services support free and open access to information.
The school board adopts policies that guarantee students access to a broad range of ideas. These include policies on collection development and procedures for the review of resources about which concerns have been raised. Such policies, developed by persons in the school community, provide for a timely and fair hearing and assure that procedures are applied equitably to all expressions of concern. School library media specialists implement district policies and procedures in the school.
Adopted July 2, 1986, by the ALA Council; amended January 10, 1990; July 12, 2000; January 19, 2005.
