The Library Catalog
The library maintains an electronic, computer-based catalog
of its collection. All library materials can be located by
author, title, subject or keyword. The catalog can be reached
from the library home page.
The catalog is an integrated one, which means that students
and staff can search the catalog and immediately find out if
the item in question is available, or has already been
borrowed by someone else. The circulation records and the
catalog are tied together, and share information.
The county library's catalog, including that of the Maurice
M. Pine Library in Fair Lawn, can be searched via the
Internet. To begin such a search, click the BCCLS link on the
Library/Connect menu.
Borrowing Materials
and Overdues
All library materials can be borrowed, except current
magazines and newspapers, and yearbooks. Reference books and
items placed on hold by teachers can be borrowed for one night
only. All other items can be borrowed for 28 days, and may be
renewed for another 28 days.
The library does not charge overdue fines for 28 day items
which are returned late. However, overnight items returned
late incur a fine of $1.50 per day. Students are encouraged to
return these items on time so that others may have access to
them. If an item is lost, the student must pay its replacement
cost.
Each student and staff member in the high school has an
identification card with a
barcode strip on it. The barcode identifies each individual in
the library's computer system. This ID card should be used
whenever an item is borrowed or renewed. If your ID card is
unavailable, please see one of the librarians to borrow what
you need.
Lost Books and
Obligations
All lost textbooks in the high school are processed through
the library, including lost library books. When a textbook is
lost, the student should see the secretary in the library in
order to receive a slip which will give the teacher permission
to issue a replacement book. Students are responsible for all
textbooks they are issued, and must be the replacement cost
for all books that are lost or damaged beyond further use.
Items will not be considered stolen unless a theft report is
on file in the main office and theft has been determined.
Photocopying
The library photocopier is available for students to use at
no charge. The photocopier is meant to be used for library
materials. It may also be used to copy class notes, a birth
certificate, and for similar things.
The library photocopier cannot be used to
make multiple copies.
Sometimes students are asked by teachers to bring in
handouts for a class presentation. The library copier CANNOT
be used for this. This is not a heavy-use copier (such as
those in places like Staples, or even in the high school's
copying room) and it will not support that much use.
Scanning and Color Printing
Scanning is available only on a very
limited basis. Arrangements must be made in advance.
The color laser printer in on the network,
and can be printed to either from the computers in the
library's main room or from the computers in the library's
lab. However, we ask that you check with Mrs. Cannito or Mr.
Holzman before printing to the color laser printer, or
before printing any document that is 15 pages or longer, so
that we can manage the printer queue and avoid delays and
backups for everyone.
The Library Research
Curriculum
All students who attend Fair Lawn High School are taught
the complete, basic research process in grade 9. Each student
is required to prepare and write a research paper in English
class before the end of the second marking period, and will
usually be asked to complete a second paper in Social Studies
later in the year. It is also common for students in ninth
grade science classes to be asked to prepare a research-based
computer presentation.
These research projects go beyond the simple report. Each
student must develop and answer a research question that
requires the analysis and synthesis of information. Each
project requires students to go through a series of steps
Using varied sources, including print, periodical
articles, and the Internet
Evaluating web-based sources for research
Note-taking and outlining
Formulating a thesis statement
Preparing a rough draft
Using complete and correct documentation
Writing, formatting, and typing the final paper
The avoidance of plagiarism is heavily stressed in this
project. Plagiarism is a serious offense which will result
in loss of credit for the assignment in question.
During the remainder of their high school years, students
build on this experience by completing many more research
assignments, some as simple as locating information in an
encyclopedia and some as complex as including original student
research in the final project. Nearly every course in the high
school uses the library and its information sources and
services at some time.
Planning Research
Assignments
All assignments that involve library and/or Internet
research of any kind should be discussed with one of the
librarians during the planning stage. The librarians will know
if the necessary information is available, and in what format,
and will also know if other similar assignments have been
given which may limit the availability of materials.
Scheduling Classes for the Library
Teachers may schedule the library for class use by seeing
one of the librarians. At this time, the assignment will be
reviewed and the best approach for student success will be
discussed. Typically, a class session in the library will
begin with a brief overview of the research process and
subject materials at hand, and will take place in the Library
Computer Lab.
D203 is part of the library; it is the
library’s classroom. Its primary purpose is to serve as an
area for instruction in research. Classes working on research
projects which require instruction have first priority in
scheduling the use of this room If your class is working on a
webquest, or they need to type, or prepare a PowerPoint
presentation, please make every attempt to schedule the use of
B204 for this project. If you are unable to do so, and D203
has not been booked for the periods you need, it will be
available to you on a day-to-day basis. Please call or come by
to make arrangements.
The AV Office
The AV (Audio Visual) Office is
managed by a Mrs. Glowacki, our Media Aide. She is responsible
for distributing all audio-visual equipment for use throughout
the school on a daily basis, as well as for special events,
such as assemblies or other presentations. The library's
extensive collection of videotapes for classroom use is stored
near the AV Office, and distributed by the Media Aide.
Currently, Mrs. Glowacki is available between 7:30 and 12:30
am (12:00 noon on Fridays). The AV Office and the Library
Office share a single room, located in the library behind Mrs.
Cannito's desk.
The Library Collection
Print Materials
The library's print collection includes about 17,000
volumes, and includes fiction, non-fiction, biography,
reference works, and several special collections. All print
items in the collection are fully cataloged, and can be
located though the library's automated catalog system.
Periodicals
The library currently holds subscriptions to about 35
magazines and newspapers. Current issues are on display and
cannot be borrowed, but back issues of magazines may be
available for students and staff to borrow. Back issues are
kept in the library for the current school year only, due to
space limitations.
The library receives The New York Times, The
(Bergen) Record, and The USA Today daily
throughout the school year. These are displayed on the wooden
rack next to the photocopier. Individual issues of The
Record are kept on hand for 1 week; issues of The New
York Times are kept for about 1 month. Students may cut
articles out of discarded newspapers only, and are asked to
photocopy articles from current issues that they may need.
Note that the sports section of each newspaper is separated
each day and can be found near the other newspapers, and should be returned there after use.
Our newspapers and magazines are available in the library's
lounge area, near the windows to your left as you enter the
library.
Non-Print: Audio, Video, More
The library's collection also includes a wide variety of
non-print materials. Many of these are still being added to
the library's electronic catalog. These include approximately
200 phonograph records, nearly 100 books-on-tape, and a small
selection of videotapes which may be borrowed. The library's
collection of nearly 1000 videotapes for classroom use cannot
be borrowed, and is stored in the adjacent Audio-Visual
Office.
Special Collections
Yearbooks The library has a complete collection of
FLHS yearbooks, dating back to the first one, which was
issued for the class of 1945. There is a public collection
in the bookcase behind the Fiction section.
This collection includes some duplicates, several of which
are damaged or in poor condition. A protected set of
yearbooks is available in the library office. To see one of
these, please ask one of the librarians.
College Information Each year the library updates
its collection of college guides and handbooks. These are
general in nature, and cover colleges and universities in
groups and categories. These can be useful for browsing and
for college admissions information. There are also guides to
the SATs and other standardized tests.
Children's Collection This collection of picture
books and children's classics includes about 100 items. It
supports the Child Care and Development curriculum, as well
Children's Literature. It also includes texts and guides to
children's literature.
Collection Development
The collection is continually reviewed and updated in a
process called collection development, which is supported by
the Board of Education and the high school administration.
Collection development is actually a two-part process that
includes weeding and acquisitions.
Weeding is the process by which the existing collection is
reviewed so that out-of-date or damaged material can be
removed. This is a vital process that ensures that our
students have access to materials that are most appropriate
for them according to our curriculum. Weeding provides space
for newer materials, as well as making sure that mis-information
is not available.
The acquisitions process takes many forms. Librarians
constantly read reviews and base most material purchases on
these. A certain amount of the new material purchases each
year consists of newer, up-to-date editions of materials
already owned (and to be weeded) as well as replacement of
lost or damaged items. Students and staff are always invited
to suggest titles for purchase. Donations of material for the
library are gladly accepted. Suggested titles and donated
material are always subject to the librarians' review before
they can be added to the collection.
In almost every case, the decision to purchase new material
for the library is based on the curriculum needs of the
school.
Parents or community members with questions about library
materials should contact one of the librarians at
201-794-5450, ext. 2428 or 2429.
The Library Staff
There are four members of the library staff:
Rosanne Cannito
has been on the library staff since
1977, and has been the Director of Library Media Services
since 1990. She received a B.A. in English and Library
Science from Montclair State College in 1975, an M.L.S.
(Masters of Library Science) from Rutgers University in
1977, and an M.Ed. (Masters in Education/Curriculum) from
Montclair State University in 2000. Mrs. Cannito is an
alumna of FLHS, class of 1971. She was the advisor to the
Scarlet Letters literary magazine for 7 years, and
Advisor to the Junior Class for 15 years, from 1986-2001.
Lew Holzman
has been at FLHS since 1991. He
received his B.A. from Brooklyn College in Philosophy and
Comparative Literature. His M.S.L.I.S. (Masters of Science
in Library and Information Science) is from Pratt
Institute. He served as a Young Adult Librarian with the
New York Public Library System, and as librarian at George
Washington High School in Manhattan before coming to Fair
Lawn.
Rose-Ann Vigna
was new last year as our library
secretary, although she has been in the Fair Lawn school
district for many years. She is responsible for
maintaining the school obligations list in addition to her other duties.
Jadwiga Glowacki, Media Aide, is responsible for
the many services that are based in the school's AV
(Audio-Visual) Office, including the scheduling of
equipment and videotapes for classroom use, and supplying
microphones and more for many school activities. She is
here during the morning hours only.
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