Signal Mountain Middle High School Library Media Center
SMMHS LMC
Empowering students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers,
skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. April 1, 2015
Volume 2, Issue 8
SMMHS Library/Media Center Mission: The SMMHS library/media center is committed to equipping the school community with 21st Century skills in order that they may have a positive impact on their community, country, and world.
Student Helpers in the Library: Want to Be One? Students often ask how they can be a Library Aide. If you aspire to work in the SMMHS Library, here’s how: SMMHS Juniors and Seniors who have maintained a 3.0 GPA are eligible for selection to serve as a library aide. Responsibilities include book check-out, shelving, printing, copying, computer troubleshooting, advising and recommending book selection, and helping students find available resources like staplers, hole punchers, etc... In addition, chores include running, cutting, and delivering lamination for teachers, sorting paperwork, hanging student work for display in the library, running errands, filling copiers and printers with paper, cleaning, setting up displays, decorating, maintaining a neat atmosphere, creating slideshows for the website, moving furniture to prepare for activities, managing recycling, keeping up with the student wish-list for book orders, and answering the phone - all with a smile! In addition, 9th and 10th graders who aspire to become official aides may be Library Aide Apprentices. These students need to talk directly with Ms. K for an application. Only 1-2 will be chosen. The apprentices volunteer their Directed Studies to work in the library as well as help during special functions like Book Fair. All of these people are amazing, and maybe one day, if you keep up with your grades, you can become one of the elite...the chosen... the LIBRARY AIDES! Official applications are available now in Guidance, however you will ALSO need one of mine. Click here to access it, or come by the library and ask!
Follow us ONLINE!
The SMMHS library is increasing our online presence to accommodate our patrons. Every afternoon at 2:30 we post a book trailer on Twitter and Facebook as well as advertising library events and programs, on Pinterest you’ll find resources for students, parents, AND teachers — everything from book recommendations and effective study tools to classroom organizing strategies and bulletin board ideas! Here’s how you can stay informed: *************************** Follow me on Twitter @GingerKirchmyer Find and Follow us on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ginjatheninja/ Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/smmhsmediacenter
Library Hours 7:15-2:30 daily Lunch—we’re open, but no food please! During class—just have a pass and sign in!
2
Directed Studies: See Ms. K for a pass
2
Take the Guesswork out of Essay Formation
by M.Glover
Spring is here and besides bringing in sunshine and warmer weather, it also heralds in essay season. The LMC wants to help you make this season just a little easier. “A Student’s Guide to MLA Formatting” by Presto Plans takes the guess work out of essay format and can help any student It is the Modern Language Association’s guide to essay avoid plagiarism. In this easy-to-use format and correct citation of materials used. guide, students will
What is MLA?
Livebinders Tired of toting around big, heavy binders full of papers? Want an easier way to access documents, articles, and/or websites on
topics
relevant
Livebinders designed
to
is
to
a
FREE
hold
all
your
interests?
online
notebook
of
your
PDF’s,
documents, and favorite websites/webpages.
learn how to:
It works just like a real notebook: There are tabs (you create) and “pages” within
Format an essay, from font style and size to margin width and first page requirements Correctly use in-text citations Include quotations, both long and short, and adding and omitting words to the quoted material Create and format a works cited page
the tabs, giving you the opportunity to sort things into categories that make sense to you. It’s a great way to keep track of your
digital
materials
and
share
with
others, making as many notebooks as you need. You can also borrow notebooks of other users. Another great feature: like Pinterest,
you
can
“Livebinder
It” (compared to “Pin it”), which allows you to click a site right into your folder!
Lotsa Fun!
Parents: You need this at home! At SMMHS we use MLA formatting in all grades, so this is one resource you won’t want to miss. You can access the guide by clicking the image below or by picking up a copy in the media center!
How Do You Love Your Library? By M. Glover
Check out this month’s SMMHS Library Website! Find a great book, learn about our programs, and access databases and MLA citation rules to complete research for your classes!!
Need to know when your middle school child is scheduled to visit the library for book check-out? Click here!
Technology is literally at our fingertips, and even the youngest learners know that the term google can be a verb. However, with so much information, it’s easy to drown in the pool of the world wide web. That’s where your library can help. This month, in recognition of the annual, nationwide “Love Your Library” Month, you can visit ilovelibraries.org where the American Library Association has created a place to highlight the critical role of the library in our communities: from understanding NSA surveillance to financial planning.
Our library is the heart of learning in our school and community!
How does SMMHS use our library? Click here to see how some of our staff and students favorite uses of our LMC. It’s more than just a place to check out a great book. Our librarian is here to: Create lessons for teachers to help their students research assignments in their field of study. From civil rights to the study of social media; no topic is off limits!
Want to be sure you receive the newsletter directly to your email?
Just notify us at smmhslibrarian@gmail.com.
Write “Newsletter” in the subject line, and we’ll get you added to the list!
Find multiple or related fiction titles for small reading groups Find nonfiction articles to support classroom fiction reading Provide presentations for topics like online ethics and copyright information Encourage a love of reading - (You can join our 2015 Book Challenge if you’re ready!) Help the SMMHS learning community embrace new technology by creating tutorials, podcasts, and even providing oneto-one trainings with teachers!
Even with such easy access to information, it’s often difficult to find the correct information, and that’s where our librarian is here to help. If you need help with academic research, or even just a relaxing read, the LMC is the place to come.