1. Library Policies and Procedures
Library Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Keith Valley Middle School Library that:
• All students leave Keith Valley with the knowledge to be independent life-long learners who are
not only ethical, literate users of information, but who are also literate producers of information in
order to be successful, productive citizens of the 21st Century.
• All students will be able to determine their informational needs, recognize relevant information,
solve problems, and effectively communicate the results of their research.
• All students develop the life-long habit of leisure as well as informational reading.
"A person can Google his or her way through life and call it 'research,' but . . . the real skill of an educated
mind [is] the ability to read, understand, and derive knowledge from complex texts." Michael Gorman
Philosophy Statement of the KV Library
Personal Expectations:
Everyone is respected and appreciated.
Everyone is responsible and accountable.
We believe
Everyone – Teachers, Staff, and Students – have a right to an orderly, quiet, safe, friendly Library
environment.
Everyone has a right to equal access of materials.
Everyone has the right of confidentiality with regard to the use of resources.
Everyone has the right to individual help and support from the Library Staff in finding what
he/she needs.
Academic Achievement:
Learning is everyone’s job.
We believe
Everyone will take care of materials by returning items on time, so others may have use of them.
Everyone will use the Internet in accordance with the Acceptable Use Policy.
Students will become life-long learners and literate consumers and producers of information.
Teachers will become life-long learners and literate consumers of information.
All Students and Teachers will become life-long consumers of leisure as well as informational
reading.
Accessing information, whether in print or online, is a life-long skill.
Information literacy is a life-long skill.
Civic Awareness:
Keith Valley is an extension of our world and our world is an extension of Keith Valley.
2. Library Guidelines
Students are welcome to visit the Library Monday-Thursday from 7:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on
Fridays from 7:50 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The Library’s After School Program is in effect between 3:15 and
4:00 p.m. on days when late buses are running. Occasionally the Library will close after school to
facilitate meetings. On such occasions, an alternative classroom will be supervised for students who
need to complete assignments. The Librarian will be available to assist Students with any work or
project, including reading, studying, and researching during the school day. Library Assistants are
available to provide some guidance in these efforts as well during Library hours (until 3:15 p.m.).
When a Student wishes to use the Library during MPP, he/she must obtain a pass from the Library
during homeroom on that day. The Librarian will limit availability at her discretion. Students are
responsible for notifying the Library of any need to cancel his/her pass (e.g. a classroom Teacher is using
MPP to assist the student; the student has a commitment to Band/Chorus on that day). The Library Staff
will collect passes at the beginning of each MPP. Students using the Library during MPP will not be
admitted if they arrive more than 10 minutes into the MPP. Use of computers is on a first-come, first-
served basis, but the Librarian may use her discretion to delegate priority usage. Students may come to
the Library during class time only by obtaining permission and a pass from their classroom Teacher.
Students are encouraged to use the Library after the regular school day: no pass is needed at that
time. Students must sign up for After School Library use during the school day to guarantee his/her
space (space is limited to a total of 30 students).
Teachers may bring entire classes to the Library when prior arrangements have been made. Teachers
may sign up for use of the Library classroom in the Library Scheduling Book. At the start of the school
year all 6th
grade Students will attend Library Orientation through their Language Arts classes. Any 7th
or
8th
grade Teacher may arrange a refresher Library session as well. Library expectations, policies, and
resources will be presented in both the Orientation and Refresher sessions. At any time throughout the
course of the school year Teachers may schedule class use of the Library classroom for a specific project
or assignment. The classroom Teacher works with the Librarian to co-teach Library instruction and/or to
conduct lessons in the Library. The Librarian will provide print and online resources and resource
instruction based on the objectives of the activity/project. Students are expected to behave
appropriately when their classes come to the Library.
The Library website may be accessed at http://www.hatboro-horsham.org/kvLibrary. There are many
great resources including research sites, databases, and tools available on the Library website through
any internet-enabled device. The Librarian provides instruction on these tools and encourages Students
to make use of their remote access. Additional resources including Library updates are available on the
KV Library blog at http://kvlibrary.com.
The Librarian may be contacted at lquinn@hatboro-horsham.org.
3. Circulation Procedures
Books for general use may be checked out for two weeks. A renewal period is permitted for most items,
unless hold requests have been placed on the book. The book must be scanned for renewal in the
Library. If there is a great demand for a specific item, renewals may be limited or the Librarian may
request that the item(s) be returned to be placed on reserve. Items placed on reserve will be re-
shelved after 5 days.
Students are permitted to borrow up to 4 books at a time. The Library offers a wide variety of titles and
reading levels to accommodate our diverse learning community. Students must have a Custodial
Consent form on file in the library before they will be permitted to check out titles with a YA (young
adult) sticker. Such books are provided to challenge advanced readers and to provide titles and subjects
of interest to more mature students. Forms will be mailed home at the start of each school year, and
they will be available upon request in the Main Office. Questions or concerns may be addressed by Mrs.
Quinn, the Librarian.
Reference books and magazines circulate overnight only, and at the Librarian’s discretion. Overnight
materials other than magazines may not be borrowed before 3:00 p.m., however, Students may reserve
these materials at any time during the day to be picked up at 3:00 p.m. that day. They are due the
following day before homeroom.
Overdue Materials
Returning Library materials on time is important so that other Students may use them. At checkout, due
dates are stamped in the back of each book. Students may also access their patron accounts online,*
using their school network username and password. The Library Staff encourages Students to write
book due dates in their agenda books.
*Online Access: Students may access Keith Valley Library’s OPAC through the following website:
http://destiny.hatboro-horsham.org
Click on Keith Valley Middle School and log in to search the Catalog or to view your patron account
(choose the My Info tab in the Catalog).
Library Charges:
1. Charges for overdue materials are $0.10/school day. Charges for overnight materials are
$0.25/day. Days with excused absences are not fined. The maximum fine charged per item is
$5.00.
2. In all cases, the Library prefers the return of the original book to payment for a replacement
copy. However, the book must be returned in good condition, with only a reasonable amount of
wear. The Librarian will decide whether a damaged book requires full replacement or repair,
and the actual cost of either option will be charged to the patron.
4. 3. Lost book fines are determined by the current replacement cost of the book. When a lost book
is paid for, no additional fees are charged.
Student Expectations
Students are expected to be respectful at all times. They will be respectful of one another, Teachers and
Staff, and the physical holdings and structures of the Library. The Library does not permit food, drink, or
gum chewing. Trash and recycling containers are available at the door and by the printers. Students
should leave the Library in the same or better condition than they found it, which means that all chairs
should be pushed in and no papers, pencils, wrappers, etc should be left behind on the tables,
workstations, floors, or at the printers/copier. Students must return borrowed writing implements,
rulers, calculators, scissors, etc. to the circulation desk so that another Student may borrow them.
Books used in-Library should be placed in the book return: Students are not to re-shelve materials.
Students should use paper and printers conservatively, printing only what they really need, and only
after proofreading their work on-screen.
Patron Obligation Notification
Students are responsible for their behavior while using the Library and its media. Therefore, Students
are responsible for the return of borrowed materials by the due date.
Students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are able to monitor their own patron accounts by logging in to
Destiny. This service is available via any internet connection: http://destiny.hatboro-horsham.org
Students are responsible for returning borrowed materials on or before the due date. All overdue
materials and fines assessed are considered Library Obligations. Obligation notices are issued on a
weekly basis. Upon receiving a notice in homeroom, Students are required to report to the Library.
The Library will issue three notices for Obligations. Students are encouraged to include
parent(s)/guardian(s) and share issued notices at home in order to procure money for Library
obligations. Once the Final Notice is issued, the student’s name will be submitted to the grade level
Principal. Consequences for continued student Library obligations may include:
1. Mandatory locker clean out during MPP
2. Participation in mandatory Library Appreciation Sessions during lunch at the Librarian’s
discretion
3. Participation in after-school Library Improvement Activities
4. Inclusion of Library obligation on student eligibility list for participation in extra-curricular
athletic or musical performance
5. Access to the school computer network suspended
5. 6. Exclusion from school/team/grade level activities
7. Lunch or after school detentions
The Library Staff reviews each patron’s status on an individual basis:
1. If a book is overdue, the Student is reminded to locate and return the book.
2. If a book was returned late, the Student is told the overdue fine amount due.
3. Library privileges will be suspended until obligations have been met. Exceptions will be
made for extenuating circumstances at the Librarian’s discretion.
Failure to Return Library Materials
Library use is a privilege issued to all Keith Valley Students. Students are expected to behave
respectfully and responsibly at all times. Failure to return overdue materials or pay Library fines will
result in the suspension or restriction of Library privileges. Unaddressed Library Obligations will result in
a student conference with a grade level Principal.
Lost Book Procedures
In all cases it is preferable to have the original borrowed book returned to the Library. Students will
always be encouraged by Library Staff to find the book rather than to pay for its replacement. If a
Student and his/her parent/guardian deem the book truly lost, the following will occur:
1. The Student will be issued a lost book letter to be taken home. Library Staff will make a
photocopy of this completed form letter. The letter will include the title, author, ISBN,
designation for paperback/hardcover, and cost of replacement. This letter must be returned to
the Librarian, signed and dated by the parent/guardian in order to fulfill the lost book obligation.
2. The Library will keep a copy of the lost book letter on file.
3. The Student and his/her parent/guardian may choose to either replace the book with the exact
copy (same title, author, ISBN, and a hardback must be replaced by a hardback)
/OR/
The Student and his/her parent/guardian may choose to pay the amount indicated in the letter
for a replacement copy. The money must be provided in a sealed envelope.
After School Library Use
The Library is open for Students after school Mondays-Thursdays when there are late buses scheduled
(if there are no late buses, the Library will not be open for After School). The hours considered “After
School” fall between 3:15 and 4:00 p.m. on these days. On occasions when the Library is in use for
meetings, a sign will be posted on the Library door directing students to an alternate supervised
homework room. All books must be checked out before After School hours (i.e. before 3:15 p.m.).
6. Students will be visually and audibly supervised at all times. The Staff member responsible for
supervising the Students shall remain visibly present at all times, and shall follow these guidelines:
1. All school day Library Guidelines apply after school
2. Every Student shall be provided equitable access and services, and every Student shall meet
behavioral expectations
3. After School usage is limited to schoolwork/homework completion (this includes research) or
self-selected reading only /OR/ tutoring sessions
4. Students are admitted for After School only up to the maximum of 25 students, IF their names
correspond to the names on that day’s After School Sign Up sheet.
5. Students must sign in and out: all bus-riding Students must stay in the Library until 4 p.m.
6. Computer usage is limited to the desktop workstations and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Computers may not be used for non-schoolwork. If there is great demand for computers, a time
limit of 30 minutes will be set for each user, provided every user is working on an assignment
(those using educational games will be designated a lower priority).
7. At 4 p.m. the Staff member performs After School Closing Activities, and Students should be
lined up and escorted to the late bus stop (doors are locked during late bus dismissal; no
students remain in the Library at this time). Walkers and car riders may leave at any time, but
must leave school grounds immediately upon signing out of the Library.
ILL/Access PA Procedures
Keith Valley Middle School Library is an Access PA member Library. We abide by the agreement terms,
and actively process requests submitted through the system, and we generate requests for our own
patrons. Additionally, all Hatboro-Horsham School District libraries support one another by lending
books via inter-district mail.
Patrons may place a book request through Destiny for a book in one of the HHSD libraries, or patrons
may ask the Library Staff to place the request for them. Titles not available through HHSD libraries may
be requested through the Access PA system by the Librarian.
The Librarian will manage the ILL system. When a request is made of our Library, the item should be
checked out in Destiny to Patron Name: Access PA, ILL. All items have a 2 week circulation period.
When check-out is complete, the item should be mailed via USPS to the requesting Library. Upon return
of the item, it must be checked in from patron Access PA, ILL.
The Librarian will provide a print-out from the ILL service with the Title, Call Number, and requesting
Library address. The Staff member performing the check-out, mailing, and check-in of the item will
notify the Librarian when each event occurs (check-out, mailing, check-in). The Librarian will maintain
the ILL service notifications.
Online Resources
7. The Keith Valley Middle School Library provides Students with print and electronic media resources.
Students and Staff have access to the following on-line resources:
KV Library Offerings
Citation Maker
FactCite (Lincoln Library eBooks)
Gale’s Student Resource Center - Gold
Gale Virtual Reference Library (eBooks)
Grolier Online
Intelligencer
NoodleTools
WorldBook Online
8. Access PA POWER Library Offerings
ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry
Access Pennsylvania Database
AP Images
Auto Repair Reference Center
Consumer Health Complete
Contemporary Authors
GreenFILE
InfoTrac Newsstand
LISTA
netLibrary
OmniFile Mega
OmniFile Select
Readers’ Guide Select
Science Full Text Select
SIRS Discoverer
Teacher Reference Center
Periodical Holdings
Current copies kept in magazine rack, older ones placed in back storage room. Professional magazines
given to Librarian for Staff notification. Archived editions are available upon request.
2010-2011 KEITH VALLEY MAGAZINE LIST
TITLE BEGINNING YR FREQUENCY
Biography Today: Regular Series 1990 Triannual
*Booklinks 2004 Bimonthly
*Booklist 2009 Bimonthly
Boy’s Life 2006 Monthly
Career World (Grades 7-12) 2010 Monthly
Cobblestone 1985 Monthly
Code One (gift) 2006 Monthly
Dig 2000 Bimonthly
Dirt Bike 2005 Monthly
Downbeat (gift) 2008 Monthly
*English Journal 2009 Bimonthly
Faces 2011
*Gifted Child Today 2010 Quarterly
Girls’ Life 2006 Bimonthly
Hispanic 2010 Monthly
Kids’ Discover 2006 Monthly
9. *Language Arts 2009 Monthly
*Library Media Connection 2009 Monthly
*Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School 2003 Bimonthly
*Multimedia & Internet@Schools 2004 Monthly
National Geographic 1918 Monthly
National Science Teachers’ Association
Newsweek 1961 Weekly
PA Angler & Boater 2006 Bimonthly
*Professional School Counseling 2010 Bimonthly
*Reading Teacher (IRAssoc) 2003 Monthly
*Reading Today (IRA) 2010 Monthly
*Scholastic Art 3 subscriptions 2010 Bimonthly
*School Arts 2010 Monthly
*School Library Journal 2006 Monthly
*Science Scope & NSTA Reporter 2004 Monthly
Smithsonian (gift) 2005 Monthly
Sports Illustrated for Kids 2005 Monthly
Time Magazine 1980 Weekly
The Writer 2011
Please note: Magazines with an * are professional journals for Teacher use only.
10. Keith Valley Staff Policies & Procedures
School District personnel may borrow Library materials for an extended period of time.
Classes may be scheduled with the Librarian for research sessions, information literacy instruction, MLA
citation instruction, online resource instruction, and NoodleTools instruction. Classes may also be
scheduled for booktalks and special Reading or Language Arts needs.
Teaching Staff may request materials specific to a unit of study for use as a temporary classroom
resource. The Library requests advance notice of at least 2 days when possible. Pertinent materials will
be checked out to the requesting Teacher and put on a bookcart based on the Resource List designated
by the Librarian in Destiny. The Library Staff will note the bookcart, Teacher’s name, and corresponding
Resource List on the chart. The Teacher will be notified for pickup; delivery may also be pre-arranged.
Library Scheduling Procedures
1. A scheduling book is kept on the main circulation counter. An online version is available for
read-only purposes at http://hatboro-horsham.org/kvlibrary . It will be updated each Friday to
reflect the upcoming week’s schedule.
2. Teachers may sign in classes for ½ block periods upon approval from Librarian or Staff; a copy of
the lesson plan, project rubric, class handouts, or meeting description/agenda is required so that
appropriate resources are prepared. If book borrowing will present a conflict for the Teacher,
advance notice of this is required.
3. Classes may book in for book borrowing upon approval from Librarian or Staff. Sixth grade
Language Arts classes are on a rotating biweekly schedule for book-borrowing.
DVD/VHS Broadcasting and Scheduling
School-wide video/TV controls are housed in the Library. The Keith Valley Middle School Public
Performance Site License is on file in the Library. Teachers/Staff may request broadcasting for a single
class, team, grade level, or across all grade levels. All requests are handled by the appropriate Grade
Level Assistant. The assistance of Library Staff is not guaranteed (but someone will provide assistance
if available).
1. When requesting a broadcast, Grade 6 requests will show on output Channel 9, Grade 7
requests will show on output Channel 7, and Grade 8 requests will show on output Channel 8.
Changes may be made upon agreement of the Grade Level Assistants. (The Channel 6 unit was
broken in December of 2010.)
2. Teachers/Staff may provide their own video or use a video from the Library. If a Library video is
selected, it must be checked out to the requesting Teacher with an advance request.
3. Teachers/Staff must provide the Grade Level Assistants with the date(s)/time(s) of requested
showings, and requests will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
11. Website Maintenance
The Keith Valley Library website may be accessed via http://www.hatboro-horsham.org/kvLibrary. The
Librarian uses Schoolwires technology to maintain pages. Content area links are provided by subject
area Teachers, and all updates to these links are provided by the Teachers presenting the materials. The
Library Staff tests the links periodically to ensure connectivity.
Blog Updates
The Keith Valley Library maintains a weblog to communicate Library activities and items of interest to its
community. The Librarian maintains the WordPress website and solicits input from the community
served.
KV Library Policies & Procedures
It is the mission of the Keith Valley Middle School
Library that:
• All Students leave Keith Valley with the
knowledge to be independent life-long learners
who are not only literate consumers of
information, but who are also literate producers
of information in order to be successful,
productive citizens of the 21st Century.
• All Students develop the life-long habit of leisure
as well as informational reading.
"A person can Google his or her way through life
and call it 'research,' but . . . the real skill of an
12. educated mind [is] the ability to read, understand,
and derive knowledge from complex texts."
- Michael Gorman