school library handbook

School Library Handbook

Review Frequency: AnnualPolicy written by: European School Library StaffPolicy written in: September Last Reviewed: September

-------------------------Sophio BazadzeDirector

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Contents Library Mission Statement ............................................................................................................................ 3

Library Objectives ........................................................................................................................................ 3

Library Description – Facility and Collection .............................................................................................. 4

Library Technology Integration and Use ...................................................................................................... 5

Library Events and Teaching Program ......................................................................................................... 5

Library Staff .................................................................................................................................................. 7

Main Duties and Responsibilities ................................................................................................................. 7

Library Policies ............................................................................................................................................. 9

Acquisition Policy ......................................................................................................................................... 9

Senior Fiction Section ................................................................................................................................. 13

Challenged Materials Policy ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12

Lost Materials ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13

Computer Booking ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..13

Weeding Policy and Procedures ................................................................................................................. 12

Responsibility for Weeding of Library Resources ……………………………………………………………………….………..14

Academic Honesty Policy ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14

Evaluation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…14

Statue of the European school ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15

Senior Fiction Note …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….18

Request for the Library Challenged Material …………………………………………………………………………….……….…19

References …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….21

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Library Mission Statement

The European School Library exists to serve its community. We believe that a Library is one of

the essential tools for every school or teaching institution to promote each student’s ability to work

with multiple resources, conduct research, or improve their academic skills. A Library becomes

more important in the context of providing support to both students and faculty with accurate

electronic or printed resources. Our aim is to empower, inspire, and support learners in the inquiry

and discovery, as they become critical thinkers, skillful researchers, and responsible, ethical users,

and managers of ideas and information. We create a distinctive, permanently updated Library

collection within a comfortable academic environment to support the development of life-long

learning. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to be engaged in individual or group study,

classroom assignment, home assignment, or recreational reading when using the library.

Library Objectives

▪ Maintain a balanced and organized collection of high-quality materials and provide

professional assistance to all its users;

▪ Continue to evaluate and develop the collection in appropriate subject areas;

▪ Accessing, evaluating, and using various information sources;

▪ Provide physical and digital environments that advance research and education;

▪ Increase resources to support library services as needed by academic programs;

▪ Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and others to ensure that the full range of

information resources is available to promote student learning;

▪ Evaluate, acquire, provide, and promote information resources to meet the learning needs

of all learners;

▪ Guide and assist students and staff in the use of new media and technologies;

▪ Develop and implement a mission statement, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures

that reflect the mission, goals, and objectives of the school.

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Library Description – Facility and Collection

United under one philosophy and objectives, the European School Library consists of two

separated areas of the school age classification – Primary School Library and Middle and High

Schools Library.

➢ Middle and High Schools Library - is oriented towards supporting all programs of the

school (MYP, DP of International Baccalaureate; American High School; Georgian

Program) and serves grades from 6-12.

Library’s total area is 192 square meters, with spaces for Group projects, Computer use

and Silent study – easily adjustable as a presentation hall, it can host up to 50 users at the

same time.

Middle and High Schools Library collection counts about 8500 printed resources. These

are mainly books in English (classic literature, new award winning literature, field reading

books, teacher support materials, and textbooks). To support mother tongue practice

students can find some books written in Georgian, Russian, German and languages too.

To encourage digital learning and technology use, young researchers are subscribed to one

of the world’s largest online libraries Questia, with the access to 83,000 full-text books, 2

million articles, and an entire reference set complete with a dictionary, encyclopedia,

thesaurus and Britannica.

Located on the sixth floor in Campus 1, Middle and High Schools Library welcomes the

users every Monday-Friday, between 09:00 – 17:00.

➢ Primary School Library – is part of the School Library focused on students of Primary

Years Program of International Baccalaureate and Georgian Program, Grades 1 to 5. The

Library has collection of around 4000 books, including books in Georgian, English and

Russian Languages.

Primary School Library collection is mainly composed of Primary reading literature,

including loveable children classics or newly published class reading packs such as PYP

Attitudes classroom library that focuses on the development of positive attitudes towards

people, the environment, and learning. To support mother tongue practice students can find

some books written in Georgian, Russian, German and languages too.

To encourage digital learning and technology use, young readers are also subscribed to an

electronic library for elementary school students - Learning A-Z (Raz-kids and Science

A-Z) which offer:

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▪ 800+ leveled eBooks for students to practice reading anytime, anywhere

▪ Corresponding eQuizzes that measure student comprehension

▪ Spanish eBook and eQuiz translations for ELLs and bilingual programs

▪ Digital management and reporting tools to easily track individual and class-wide reading

progress.

The Library can accommodate up to 30 users any time, providing 8 user computers,

Projector and other essentials for individual or group work.

Located on the fourth floor in Campus 2, the Primary School Library welcomes young

readers every Monday-Friday, between 09:00 – 17:00.

Library Technology Integration and Use

In collaboration with the department of Information and Communication Technologies, the

European School library is integral in providing students, faculty and staff with the means to access

information in electronic formats and to efficiently and effectively connect with the global learning

community.

The Primary School library room is equipped with 8 desktop computers, and the Middle and High

Schools Library with 10 desktop computers, all connected via high-speed internet, enabling free

wi-fi for our BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program, so that students, faculty and staff are

able to complete both individual and/or group/class research online.

Additionally, both Libraries have a wide screen projector to facilitate the hosting of guest speakers,

presentations, literature events and educational workshops.

Technology is used for library administrative purposes i.e. circulation, communication, managing

and evaluating the collection, teaching literacy and academic integrity, other library tasks

Library Events and Teaching Program

The European School Libraries are pleased to conduct educational workshops as well as

students/faculty initiated events and open lessons.

Workshops/Events Description/Purpose Timeline

(can be arranged)

“Welcoming Meeting”

IB Library staff hosting students, faculty, staff -

new members of European School Learning

Community. Presenting Library contents,

collection and user’s guide.

September - first

weeks of study

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“Academic Integrity” Presentation and discussion series participating

IB, AHS, Georgian Program Students,

facilitated by Teacher Librarian.

October - First weeks

“Library Week” Combination of activities to promote the library

usage: promotions, volunteering, donations,

intellectual games.

October – last week

“Library skills”

scheduled lessons for

Primary Years

Students

Students from the very early ages will learn how

to look for specific books in library; system of

Dews, etc.

November

Academic Honesty

Quality Insurance Division Manager conducted

sessions with IB DP and IB MYP teachers on

Academic Honesty, citation and referencing.

“I’m a Digital citizen” Workshop to teach students the norms of

appropriate, responsible behavior while

searching and getting information through

Internet, facilitated by ICT teacher or Teacher

Librarian.

No specific time

International Read

Aloud Day

Students organize aloud reading of their

favorite books in Middle and High School

Library

February 1

International Mother

Language Day

Presentation of the mother languages by

international students.

February 21

Literature club

meetings

Student-run event held weekly/monthly.

Students will discuss the

No specific time

World Book Day Event organized annually in the ES Libraries

promoting reading among students of all age

categories; inviting authors

April 23

PYP World Book

Week

Celebrating event with different activities

which promote reading among Primary Years

Programme

April 22- 26

National Tell a Story

Day

Promoting own culture with presenting/sharing

national stories among students.

April 27

Movie Night Organizing movie nights with discussions. No specific time

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Library Staff

Qualifications:

In the European School Libraries, which are categorized according to the students’ age,

highly qualified librarians are in charge. Both libraries have one Head librarian which is

managing proper working of both libraries. Head librarian and Middle and High School

librarian are in charge of the upper classes’ library. Primary School Librarian and Librarian

Assistant oversee Primary school Library. ES librarians know IB Philosophy and are well

trained in internal rules and regulations of the school and understand the Convention of

Child Protection. Library staff’s sense of responsibility and care make library a better place

to work and study. ES school librarians speak English, Georgian, Russian languages.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Head Librarian:

• Manage Primary and Middle and High School Libraries

• Supervising electronic and print resources at the Library; keeping order;

• Organizing the libraries’ resources: books, technology, etc. and providing students with a

working environment;

• Organizing library bookshelves; numbering and stacking books according to the established

standards;

• Registering students in the electronic library;

• Monitoring and keeping track of checked out and returned books; providing an immediate

response in case of a problem;

• Controlling sanitation and hygiene in the library; providing an immediate response in case of

a problem;

• Purchasing educational resources for the library; active communication with publishers and

booksellers; making purchases based on demand and budget;

• Assisting students with selecting educational resources;

• Having students sign contracts and ensuring that the conditions are met;

• Communicating with parents, when necessary;

• Managing, maintaining and protecting the library’s material assets;

• Being involved in the planning of the library’s annual budget;

• Informing the Chancellor about the library’s finances every month;

• Under her competence, ensuring students’ safety;

• Collaboration with the other technology teachers to create the Technology strategic plan, etc;

• Support students in their research;

• Helping students to develop ATL skills and learner attributes (organization, research skills,

referencing skills, etc);

• Helping students find and use authoritative and reliable information from a variety of sources.

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• Teaching good academic practice for documenting sources throughout the school;

Middle and High School Librarian:

• Supervising electronic and print resources at the IB Library; keeping order;

• Organizing the library’s resources: books, technology, etc. and providing students with a



standards;





a problem;








• Fulfilling other tasks under her competence assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Primary School Librarian





standards;





a problem;









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Library Assistant





standards;





a problem;





Library Policies

Acquisition Policy

Aim

The European School Library serves the students, faculty, and staff of the European School

community. The library collection provides materials and resources that are consistent with the

philosophy and goals of all three educational programs. The collection includes both curriculum

materials and resources, as well as recreational materials, all in a variety of formats. The library

collection strives to meet the needs of all its users, broaden their vision, support recreational

reading, encourage and facilitate reading skills, stimulate and widen students’ interests, lead to

recognition and appreciation of literature and reflect the diversity of the community.

Method

The European School Library selects materials and resources that support, enrich, and help

implement the educational philosophy of The European School programs. Considerations are

based on program curriculum needs, recommendations from academic leadership, program

coordinators, staff and students; recommendations from IB; material previews from vendors and

publishers; and the subject knowledge and expertise of the librarian.

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Selection

Selection of resources is an ongoing process of continuous review and evaluation. In selecting

materials and resources the following specific criteria are used as they apply:

▪ compliance with academic standards

▪ curriculum support

▪ appropriateness for age

▪ availability of the subject in the library

▪ awards

▪ currency of the information

▪ format

▪ permanent value as a standard work

▪ physical durability, attractiveness and technical merit

▪ popular interest or demands

▪ quality of organization, illustrations, and style

▪ readability

▪ reputation of the author, illustrator, publisher or producer

Gift materials are accepted at the discretion of the library staff and judged by the selection criteria

in this policy.

Senior Fiction Section

European School has a Senior Fiction section within the library to accommodate those students

who are ready for this type of book. Because some of the books might be suitable for the senior

readers, they have been specially labelled and are only available for borrowing with

parental/guardian permission. For the permission of borrowing Senior Fiction books, junior

students are asked to provide signed form of Senior Fiction Note (Appendix: A) to librarian.

Challenged Materials Policy

European School believes in freedom of information for all and does not practice censorship. The

selection of library materials is predicated on the patron's right to read and freedom from

censorship by others. Selections for the library are made solely on the merits of the material in

relation to the development of a collection and curriculum needs that serves the interests of the

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school and students. ES recognizes that a collection of diverse materials may result in some

complaints or requests for reconsideration.

1. In the interest of handling all legitimate complaints and challenges fairly and expeditiously, the

following guidelines shall be followed:

• Supply the requesting person with a copy of the ES Acquisition Policy

• Supply the requesting person with ES Request for Reconsideration of Library Material

form (Appendix: B) and ask that is be completed and returned to the librarian.

• Inform the Principal of the school of the request for reconsideration of a work.

2. Upon completion and return of the form, the librarian will discuss the nature of the complaint

with the person filing the request for reconsideration.

3. If further action is necessary, the library will request that the Principal appoint a Library

Committee to consider the validity of the challenge in light of the selection criteria and educational

objectives of the school. The committee should include a teacher, the librarian, and at least one

member of the administrative team. The committee will be scheduled to meet within one month

of the Reconsideration Request allowing members to read the book in question. The committee

will judge the material as to its conformance with the selection criteria listed in the school’s

selection policy.

4. Within one week of their meeting, the Library Committee will report their decision to the

Principal of ES who will then share the decision with the petitioner and the librarian. If the decision

requires the book to be removed from the ES collection, the librarian will be responsible for

removing the book from the collection.

5. The challenged material will remain in circulation until the process is completed.

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Lost Materials

If a borrower believes that they have returned material that is billed as overdue or lost, they

should inform the main Circulation Desk. Library staff will search for the material twice or

more, but the material will remain on the borrower’s record until it has been located. If the

material is found within the library by library staff, the item (and all charges) will be removed

from the borrower’s record. If the material is not found in the library, the borrower will be

responsible for the replacement charge.

• A borrower transfers the payment on school account

• If a patron pays for lost material and later returns the material, the cost of the

material will be refunded to them, provided no more than six months have passed

and the item is determined by staff to be in good condition.

• Charges for damaged items are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Computer Booking

All our libraries have computers with internet access. You can also use our Wi-Fi on your own

device. Teachers who work on project/research with their class, need to book the number of

library computers in advance for the required time period.

Weeding Policy and Procedures

Weeding is an integral part of collection development and is essential to free Library from

unsuitable and unnecessary resources. The purpose of weeding:

• To provide high quality resources to support and enrich both the curriculum and

the personal needs of students and faculty members alike

• To provide a more up-to-date collection and accurate reference information

• To make more effective use of space

• To provide a more attractive collection to promote use along with encouraging

patrons to care for Library resources

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Responsibility for Weeding of Library Resources

Weeding procedure starts after the consultation with teachers and subject specialists and the

principle of the European School. The responsibility for the weeding of resources from the

Library is entrusted to the committee of school librarian and school accountant.

Academic Honesty Policy

The European School Library is passionately promoting academic principles presented in

“European School Academic Honesty Policy”.

Evaluation

All users of the European School Library will have the opportunity to complete a survey, which

will evaluate their use of the library, the services the library provides, and their overall rating of

the library in general. These evaluations will help keep the Library staff and school authorities

informed of their patrons’ needs when it comes to using the library and its resources.

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Statute of the European School Library

1. General Provisions

1.1. European School ltd. library is the Structural subdivision of the Organization, which assists

to the employees and students of European School in professional development and extending of

the knowledge by giving the appropriate Literature and supporting by the means of Electronic

Information.

1.2. The Statute aims to determine the rules of using the European School library.

1.3. The Statute extends to each employee of the school, and its students.

1.4. Informational service, using the documents at the place and at home is free of charge.

1.5. Library works each day except Saturday and Sunday, from 9:00 until 17:00h.

1.6. For the users the holiday time announces from 1st July until 1st September.

2. Work contents

2.1. To establish the own tasks, the Library:

2.2. Purchases, treats and systematize school profiling library documents by using

internationally established library standards.

2.3. Creates the Electronic and thematic Catalogue for the own foundation.

2.4. Makes prominent popularization of the new-received Literature and the publications

among library users. Organizes the exhibitions and other forms of the visual methods. By means

of the collected data according to the statistics and inquiries ascertains demands of the readers

and provides them accordingly.

2.5. Makes the archiving of the press.

3. Using the Library

3.1 The benefit of the library means using books in a place or carry out it at home.

3.2 Books or library materials must not be taken out of the Library until the loan has been

recorded.

3.3 All borrowers must clear up any overdue loans before they are permitted to borrow again.

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3.4 The term of the Utilization of the carried out books are 14 calendar days, the continuation 3.5

is permitted (general use must not be more than 30 calendar days) only on the basis of the 3.6

conformable notice.

3.7 Carry out the books more than two is unpermitted.

3.8 It is not permitted to carry out from the library the dictionaries, reference books, manuals.

3.9 In case of the lost of the carried out book the reader has obligation to bring the same book (if

is possible to buy it) or in extreme occasion the two book of the same cost (the same field) or have

to pay as a compensation double price of the book cost.

4. Membership of the Library

4.1. The library member can become any employee or a student of the European School.

4.2. Who wishes to be inserted in the Library of the European School must perform the Identity

card once to complete the registration process in the library.

5. Rights and Demands

5.1. The reader must deliver the books and other documents to the librarian without putting

them in the shelves themselves.

5.2. The reader must treat kindly the books and other documents.

5.3. Reader of the library must maintain the quiet, calm, and must not prevent the other readers

and the personnel.

5.4 Consumption of food and drinks is not permitted in the Library.

5.5 Silence must be observed strictly in the Library.

5.6 Reservation of seats is not permitted.

5.7 Books and other articles left for any length of time on chairs and tables may be removed by

the library staff.

5.8 The Library staff on duty has the right to request a user to leave the premises if he is found to

be violating any of the Library rules.

5.9 Librarian is empowered to withhold Library facilities for any infringement of these rules.

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5.10 The Library will not accept responsibility for the loss or misplacement of personal

belongings.

6. Rule of Affirmation

6.1. The statute of the European School library is approving and entering changes in it by the

board of the School.

7. Computer Rules

7.1 Do not install or uninstall programs or services in any computer.

7.2 If any device of the computer is not working, do not fix it, kindly report at the reference desk

or to the IT person in charge.

7.3 You are allowed to use the computer for a time allocated by the librarian. If needed, you may

be asked to give others opportunity to use the computers.

7.4 Do not send jobs for printing, if necessary contact the Librarians.

Do not use computers for:

• Playing Games

• Playing Music

• Sport

• TV shows

• Social Networks (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Instagram, etc.)

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Appendix: B

Senior Fiction at the European School

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Each year at ES there are students who are avid readers and who are ready for books that are aimed more at

Secondary students. These books deal with more mature issues including physical, emotional and

philosophical topics, the language is usually more complex and can sometimes be more graphic than that

found normally in books for primary age children.

European School has Senior Fiction books within the Middle and High School Library to accommodate

those students who are ready for this type of book. They have been specially labelled and are only available

for borrowing with parental permission.

Your child has requested to borrow a book from this section. Should you choose to sign this note for your

child, we ask that you make them aware that they should not pass these books on to their friends to read. It is

the right of each student’s parent/guardian to decide if their child should be allowed to borrow from this

section of the library.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact European School Middle and High School Library

on (+995)0322 39 59 64 .

I have read the above information and give permission for my child to become a Senior Fiction

borrower.

Signed Date

_________________________________________ ___________________________

Parent/Guardian

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Appendix: C

Request for Reconsideration of the European School Library Material

Date ___________________________________________________________

Name __________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

Do you represent self? ____ Or an organization? ____ Name of Organization

___________________________

1. Tick the relevant resource on which you are commenting:

___ Book (e-book) ___ Movie ___ Magazine ___ Audio Recording

___ Digital Resource ___ Game ___ Newspaper ___ Other

Title ________________________________________________________________________

Author/Producer _______________________________________________________________

2. What brought this resource to your attention?

___________________________________________________________

3. Have you examined the entire resource? If not, what sections did you review?

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___________________________________________________________

4. What concerns you about the resource?

___________________________________________________________

5. Are there resource(s) you suggest providing additional information and/or other viewpoints on

this topic?

___________________________________________________________

6. What action are you requesting the committee consider?

___________________________________________________________

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References:

American Library Association

http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/selectionpolicytoolkit/sampleforms

Collection Maintenance and Weeding, American Library Association

Tilke, A. (2011a). The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program: what it means

to a school library and librarian. School Library Monthly, 27 (5), 8-10.

http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/selectionpolicytoolkit/sampleforms

school library handbook

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