Library Media

We focus on integrating the American Association of School Librarians Common beliefs with our library curriculum.  Identified in the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries (2018), the Common Beliefs provide a sound foundation in which to prepare our students for their future. 

1. The school library is a unique and essential part of the learning community.
2. Qualified school librarians lead effective school libraries.
3. Learners should be prepared for college, career, and life.
4. Reading is the core of personal and academic competency.
5. Intellectual freedom is every learner’s right.  
6. Information technologies must be appropriately integrated and equitably available. 

Our school libraries provide students an exciting place for both working and learning, and it provides access and instruction to resources and technology. 

Our CCPS school librarians integrate themselves into the fabric of the school to become an essential part of their learning community.  They collaborate with classroom teachers to develop appropriate and exciting projects. 

Our school librarians use stories to engage learners as well as to support, supplement, and elevate their literary experiences.  They use motivational reading initiatives such as Battle of the Books, Locked In To Reading, or other school based programs to excite students about reading.  Libraries have current technology and digital and print materials available to students.      

Our school librarians provide and showcase information technology that supports our students need for information.  Our school libraries work to foster what students are interested in as well as academic success.  Students having this access now prepares them for continual success in college, their careers, and their life.

Adapted from https://standards.aasl.org/beliefs/

1. The school library is a unique and essential part of the learning community.
2. Qualified school librarians lead effective school libraries.
3. Learners should be prepared for college, career, and life.
4. Reading is the core of personal and academic competency.
5. Intellectual freedom is every learner’s right.  
6. Information technologies must be appropriately integrated and equitably available. 

School libraries provide students an exciting place for both working and learning, and it provides access and instruction to resources and technology. 

School librarians integrate themselves into the fabric of the school to become an essential part of their learning community.  They collaborate with classroom teachers to develop appropriate and exciting projects. 

School librarians use stories to engage learners as well as to support, supplement, and elevate their literary experiences.  They use motivational reading initiatives such as Battle of the Books, Locked In To Reading, or other school based programs to excite students about reading.  Libraries have current technology and digital and print materials available to students.      

School librarians provide and showcase information technology that supports our students need for information.  Our school libraries work to foster what students are interested in as well as academic success.  Students having this access now prepares them for continual success in college, their careers, and their life.

Adapted from https://standards.aasl.org/beliefs/

If a member of the community has a concern regarding any of the items on the approved list, they can follow reconsideration procedures outlined in the "Selection, Evaluation, and Adoption of Instructional Materials Handbook".

In the simplest of terms, digital citizenship is using digital media and technology responsibly and appropriately. Click the video link to learn more about digital citizenship and why it is important Common Sense Education Video

Technology and digital media have evolved and are changing at a rapid pace.  This brings incredible experiences and challenges to our students.  At school and at home students use technology to explore, create and learn in exciting new ways.  These technologies also potentially expose students to harmful situations like cyberbullying, cheating and plagiarism. 

Students learn basic internet safety, the importance of protecting private information, digital footprints, creating strong passwords and using technology responsibly.  They learn strategies for dealing with and avoiding cyberbullying and using social media safely and appropriately.  Students learn about plagiarism, evaluating web resources, citing sources and giving credit to creators when using the work of others.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Learner Standards address digital citizenship through the Engage shared foundation and key competencies. Calling for learners to “Demonstrate safe, legal, and ethical creating and sharing of knowledge products independently while engaging in a community of practice and in an interconnected world.”  Through the CCPS media program our learners develop these skills by learning to cite resources used for research and to use the creative works of others responsibly.  Learners develop an understanding of privacy and how to safely use and interact with technology while protecting themselves and personal information.  Learners develop the skills to evaluate information for accuracy and appropriateness to fit their needs.  Our learner’s journey to develop these skills lasts through their entire time in CCPS. 

Parents and guardians can help students learn and practice their digital citizenship skills in a number of ways.

• Model good digital citizenship skills consistently yourself

• Evaluate your student’s social media use based on his/her age and maturity level

• Discuss appropriate use of social media with your student

• Make sure your student understands what cyberbullying is and that he/she can talk to you if he/she encounters it

The website Common Sense Media, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/, is a high quality place to start for information.                 

• Digital citizenship for kids

Family tips page - https://www.commonsense.org/education/lesson/family-tip-sheets/en 

• Cyberbullying Links

Stop Bullying https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/prevention/index.html

• Privacy Links

EAVI Phone Privacy 

• Information Literacy Links

EAVI Guide to Misleading News https://eavi.eu/beyond-fake-news-10-types-misleading-info/

CCPS librarians are committed to creating dynamic learning environments that foster not only the love to reading and literature, but access to exceptional nonfiction materials that will develop life-long information literacy skills. Information literacy skills are invaluable to preparing our students for all successful futures endeavors.

Media centers support reading by providing access to high quality materials in multiple format in print thought books and periodicals, audio books, and online databases. Chat with your librarian or browse out our awesome collections using Destiny, our online catalog.

CCPS students and parents also have access to online resources and databases through the MD-K12 Consortium. All you need is a public library card from any county in Maryland to access free, reliable information. Check it out:  http://www.sailor.lib.md.us/services/databases/

CCPS has a rich partnership with Carroll County Public Libraries. Throughout the year, CCPL librarians team up with media specialists to create exciting opportunities such as the county-wide reading competition, Battle of the Books, the SCORE Challenge to promote research skills, and offer access to Google Expeditions, and interesting STEAM activities. All branches of CCPL host monthly family events, book clubs, and activities.  Stop by your local branch or visit their website, today.

To support the love of reading at home, check out these helpful links.

• 10 Things You Should Know About Reading
• Reading Rockets: Focusing on Children ages 0-12, find tips for parents, book lists, ideas for family activities, and academic support for all types of learnings, including special education students and English language learners.
• Scholastic:  17 Ways to Keep Your Middle Schooler Turning Pages
• Carroll County Public Libraries: Sign up for a library card or summer reading, attend a free family event, join a book club and more.

CCPS librarians strive to offer our learning communities the best materials available. 

A citizen may question the use of an instructional or supplemental material.  Procedures for requesting reconsideration of a material are in place for any citizen, parent, student, teacher, or school administrator. The Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials form may be obtained by calling the school’s principal or library media specialist. 

The Learning Advantage Partnership is a partnership between Carroll County Public Schools and Carroll County Public Library.  The partnership provides unique opportunities for students to explore technologies, improve literacy, and learn in new ways. 

Battle of the Books is a book based team competition.  Students compete in teams to answer questions about selected books.  The game style competition creates excitement in reading while developing teamwork and sportsmanship.  4^th and 5^th graders, and middle school students from participating schools, read and discuss quality literature over the course of the school year to prepare for the competitions held in the spring. Additional information can be obtained from Media Specialists or at https://library.carr.org/programs/BOB.asp