Instructional Media Center Policies

 

INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA CENTER (IMC)

We desire that all students benefit from an appealing learning center that supports their academic endeavors.                     

 

Smiley Hours of Operation:

·      Every School Day                   6:50 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

·    Thursday Extended Hours      6:50 a.m. – 5:50 p.m.

 

Milburn Campus Hours of Operation:

·      Every School Day                   7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

·      Milburn students may utilize the extended hours of the Smiley Campus IMC.

 

Service Overview: 

· Diverse print and online collections, which include eBooks, databases, and audio books 

· Career and college planning resources

· Color printer and copier, scanners, digital card readers, flex-use computers, mini camcorders, headphone/microphone combos, flashdrives, and TI-84 calculators for student use

· Variety of school supplies as well as flashdrives for purchase

· Inter-library Loan within District #203 libraries and across Illinois and the U.S.

· Closed-captioned world news broadcasted throughout the school day

· Website: www.oths.k12.il.us   Click Instructional Media Center on right sidebar.

 

General Information for IMC Use:  

1. If you need assistance, please see a staff member. The IMC staff is here to assist you.

2. One’s ID serves as a loan card and must be visible at all times when in the IMC. 

3. All students using the IMC on an individual basis during the school day must sign in and sign out.  A student must also present a valid pass at the help desk.  If using the IMC during an advisory or study hall period, both the issuing teacher’s and advisory/study hall teacher’s signature must be on the pass.

4. Students may use the IMC during the first part of the lunch period but cannot go to lunch and then to the IMC. One may leave the IMC partway through the lunch period or stay for the entire period.  Since eating/drinking is prohibited in the IMC, we strongly encourage taking time to eat in the cafeteria.  

5. Neither food nor drinks should be brought into the IMC.  Open items will be removed.

6. The IMC is a No Cell Phone Zone during its hours of operation.  See page 22 for more details.

 

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior:

Students in the IMC must accept the consequences of their actions.  Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, the loss of IMC privileges. 

 

Loan Policy:

The purpose of this policy is to encourage students to be responsible and accountable young adults. 

 

A. Check Out Policies

1. Borrowing of IMC items requires both a visible ID or temporary and a zero balance on one’s IMC account.

2. Students should NEVER check items out for other students; the borrower is ALWAYS accountable.

3. Books are checked out for two (2) weeks and renewed for two (2) weeks.  Students may have up to five (5) books checked out at one time.

4. Reference books and current magazines are used in the IMC.

5. Magazines are checked out for three (3) days and renewed for three (3) days.  Students may have up to five (5) magazines checked out at one time. 

6. Equipment is checked out for one (1) day and may be renewed upon the discretion of IMC staff.

7. When renewing, items must be present.  See #7 for College Bound Reading (CBR) and Individualized Reading (IR)

    renewals.

8. When a teacher is holding a student’s book for CBR or IR, staff will renew the book, upon request of the student, to avoid overdue fines. Note: CBR and IR students can only check out one (1) copy of any given title.

 

B. Fines:  Fines are calculated based on an item’s due date.

· Print:  10 cents per day beginning the first school day after the due date

· PlayAway: $1 per day beginning the first school day after the due date

· Equipment: $1 per day beginning the first school day after the due date

 

C. Overdue Procedures

· One (1) day after the due date:  Student gets first overdue notice for item(s) during advisory.

· Print:  One (1) week after the first overdue notice, student receives the final overdue notice.

· Equipment & PlayAways:  Three (3) days after the first overdue notice, student receives the final overdue notice.

· Two (2) weeks after the due date:  Notification is sent to an administrator.  If the item(s) are not returned within one (1) week after the student meets with an administrator, he/she will receive disciplinary action, the item(s) will be deemed “lost”, and a replacement will be purchased at the student’s expense.

· Note:  Overdue notices are a courtesy.  Upholding due dates is ultimately the responsibility of the borrower.

 

D. Loss or Damage of Materials

· When a student loses library items, he/she must pay for the cost of replacing the items.  If items are no longer available, students must pay for a like replacement, which may cost more than the original.  We will search reputable sources for pricing.

· If the student finds the item and returns it in good condition, he/she will be reimbursed after paying the amount owed in fines.  Fines, in this case, will be assessed starting the day that the item was overdue and ending the day the student paid for the lost item.  If the item is returned after a replacement has been purchased, the student will not receive reimbursement.

· If the item costs less than the fine, no reimbursement will be issued.

· If a student damages materials, the IMC Director or Coordinator will make the decision to replace or refurbish the item.  In both cases, the borrower will be responsible for any cost incurred.

· Students must pay any fine in addition to any other penalty.

 

Use of IMC Printers and Copiers: 

Students must pay for all computer printouts, unless printouts are required by a teacher. If a teacher requires color printing, students must obtain a free color print card from the teacher or pay for the printout.  Prices are posted near printers and copiers.  Please pay for all materials at the help desk. 

 

Inter-Library Loan:

OTHS students have inter-library loan privileges.  As such, students will be held financially responsible for inter-library loan items that are lost, damaged, or overdue. 

 

Access to IMC Resources:

As stated in the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights, only parents/guardians maintain the right and responsibility to restrict their student’s access to library resources, including inter-library loan selections (Section 53.1.4). We encourage parents/guardians to be actively aware of their student’s resource selections.