About the Media Center

Mission:

The mission of the library media program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information enabling them to be life-long learners. 

Goals:

To assist students in the development of critical thinking skills necessary to retrieve, analyze, and utilize information.
To be an integral part of the instructional program.
To expand oral, visual, written, and technological literacy.
To provide a variety of resources that supports the instructional programs of a diverse population.
To promote the pursuit of reading for enjoyment.

Staff:

The staff for the media center consists of one media specialist and student assistants.  The Media Specialist's hours are from 8:30-4:30 each school day. 

Collection:

The media center collection consists of over 8,600 books, 20 print magazines, 2 newspaper subscriptions, and 21 computer workstations.  Students also have access to a variety of on-line resources including: Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, Gale Literature Resource Center, Britannica Online, and Find It VA databases provided by the Library of Virginia.

Students can get logins and passwords from the Media Specialist for home access. 

POLICIES FOR STUDENTS:

• The media center is open from 8:30-4:30 Monday through Friday.  The center is also open during lunch period for students' use without a pass.
• A pass is required to enter the media center during regular school hours.
• Students may borrow books for two weeks with the option to renew books for another two weeks.  Students with overdue materials will not be able to borrow additional items until the overdue item is returned or paid for. 
• No food or drink is allowed in the media center.
• All RPS Internet policies will be enforced and are posted in the media center.  Students who do not adhere to these rules will lose computer privileges.  

Instructional Television:

Instructional television is available to Thomas Jefferson High School through RPS channels 7 and 9, PBS channels 23 and 57, Cable In The Classroom, and satellite broadcasts.

A NOTE ABOUT RESPONSIBLE BOOK SELECTION

Since a library serves students ranging in ages, a wide variety of materials is needed.  What is interesting and appropriate for eighth graders may not be appropriate for sixth graders; what is a good selection for a junior in high school may not be appropriate for an eighth grader.  If you choose a book that makes you or your parents uncomfortable, please return it and choose another one.

• The media center is open Monday through Friday.  The center is also open during lunch period for students’ use without a pass
• A pass is required to enter the media center during regular school hours. 
• Students may borrow books for two weeks with the option to renew books for another two weeks. Students with overdue materials will not be able to borrow additional items until the overdue item is returned or paid for. No food or drink is allowed in the media center.
• Copies are ten cents per page for the copy machine and the computers. Students may use the computers in the media center after consulting with the media specialist.  All RPS Internet policies will be enforced and are posted in the media center.  Students who do not adhere to these rules will lose computer privileges. Click below for useful research links: Educational Links & Databases