About BFHS Library
Mission
The mission of the Ben Franklin High School Library is to serve as an agency of both instruction and service to encourage reading for pleasure and information, and to support the curricular goals of our school. The BFHS Library strives to offer a quiet space where patrons can study, research, and explore information effectively and efficiently.
Purpose
The library media program’s purpose is to support the overall school curriculum by enabling “learners to use information literacy skills, resources and tools to:
- Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge
- Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge
- Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society
- Pursue personal and aesthetic growth”.
(AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner, 2007)
Common Beliefs
The library supports the learning standards “nine foundational common beliefs:
- Reading is a window to the world.
- Inquiry provides a framework for learning.
- Ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught.
- Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs.
- Equitable access is a key component for education.
- The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources and technologies have changed.
The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own.
- Learning has a social context.
- School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills.”
(AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner, 2007)
Policies
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Students must have a signed copy of the school system’s Acceptable Use Policy on file in the office before they can use the Internet anywhere in the school. The office handles the procedure and we are informed when the process is complete. Computers in the New Orleans Public Schools cannot be used for e-mail, chat room, or news group communication.
CARD CATALOG (OPAC)
The library has an online public access catalog. The card catalog can be accessed from any computer in the school and is on the desktop of every computer. Searching the card catalog will be given first preference on at least 2 library computers at all times.
CARD CATALOG (Destiny)
The library has an web based catalog that can be accessed from any computer at school and at home.
CIRCULATION
Books are checked out for a two-week loan period. Students can check out 3 books at one time; however, for special assignments, they can check out as many as 5. Books on reserve cannot be checked out for the time period requested by a teacher. Fines are accessed at five cents per book per school day.
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR - LIBRARY ETIQUETTE
1. The library is an academic area and is to be used for quiet study and research.
2. No food, drink, or gum.
3. Please leave all furniture, including chairs as you found them.
4. Students must be in their seat working.
5. One person per computer, unless teacher has given permission to work in groups.
6. Return borrowed books in good condition and promptly.
7. Treat library books and equipment with care. Clean up before leaving.
COMPUTER GUIDELINES
1.Only one copy of an article can be printed.
2.If the article is lengthy, longer than 10 pages, the student must highlight important facts and print it as directed.
3.Check with the librarian before you print a lengthy article.
4.Never print what you do not need.
5.Always exit a program, do not leave it on the desktop.
6.When not in use, the OPAC should be displayed on all computers.
7.Food and drinks are prohibited in the library. Therefore, no drink or food should ever be next to a computer.
COMPUTER RULES
Students must:
1.sign in on the Computer Sign-In Book on the Circulation Desk
2.write their name, date, class period, time, computer number and type of use in the book.
3.use only the programs on the computers.
4.not use or bring programs to put on the computers
5.not add new programs.
6.never alter or change programs or how programs are displayed.
7.not visit pornographic sites on the Internet
8.inform the librarian or secretary immediately if settings or other changes have occurred.
9.save information on a flash drive.
10.never save information on the hard drive.
11.never play games on the computers.
12.must abide by all BFHS and New Orleans Public School Systems Acceptable Use Policy.
13.use computers when the librarian or library secretary is present.
14.not turn any computer on or off.
