The Annapolis Middle School Library Media Program   The Library Media Program at Annapolis Middle School ensures that all students learn information skills use information skills efficiently, effectively, and ethically to solve problems and explore literature and reading for the purpose of lifelong learning.     Annapolis Middle School Library Media Program Staff   Margaret Buck, Media Specialist Carol Smith, Media Assistant      Media Center Hours Daily 7:50 – 3:05 Students may visit the Media Center during the following times with a  pass from their teacher: o   During class o   Homeroom (Caring Communities) o   Advisory Students may elect to visit the Media Center during these times: o   Lunch – after the student finishes eating, s/he can get a pass from the guidance counselor.  Please note that there is still no food or drink allowed in the Media Center, and lunch passes may not be available on days when we are teaching during that lunch period. o   After-school tutoring is being offered in the Media Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays by the Guidance office.  The Media Center is open to teachers daily between 7:30 and 3:00, as well as from 3:00-3:30 on Monday and Friday.      In-House Services  Students may check out up to 3 books or magazines at a time.  Books are checked out for 3 weeks, magazines for 1 week. Students may use the computers for schoolwork or independent research.  They are expected to follow AACPS guidelines for computer use. Students may print 1-2 page assignments if necessary.  They may also request up to 5 pages of copies.   Online Services Annapolis Middle School Library Catalog (with links to online databases) is available at home! http://opac.aacps.org   Catalog and Circulation   The Media Center uses the TLC library catalog and circulation system. Three catalogs are now available: KC Web, a children’s catalog; the Classic Book Catalog, an adult catalog; and the new Aquabrowser catalog, which is our default. These catalogs have many wonderful features -- links to Electronic Databases, Media Services, the AMS School Homepage and the Public Library.  Sixth grade students receive training in using the TLC system at the beginning of the school year.  All students have directions for remote access to the TLC system and its links to electronic databases in their agenda books on page 19.   Databases   Students can access the online databases available through the school in two ways.  From school computers, the Web Resources folder contains a link to the AMS library catalog (OPAC) – look for a red circle with “TLC” inside.  They can then click on the button for “Online Databases” in the side menu.  From home, students can access the databases from http://opac.aacps.org/ and follow the directions on p. 19 of their agenda books.  This page also gives user names and passwords for each database.  Databases we offer include: EBSCO Middle:  newspaper, magazine, and journal articles Newsbank:  newspaper, wire services, periodicals, and primary sources World Book Online:  English and Spanish encyclopedias, atlas, dictionary, and current events information Grolier Online:  general and specialized encyclopedias and dictionaries, newspapers from around the world, magazine articles, websites CultureGrams Online:  high interest, kid-friendly information about countries of the world, states of the United States ABC-CLIO:  offers a series of seven databases organized around familiar curriculum areas. Thomson Gale Resource Center: offers huge databases in the areas of science, social studies and literature.  Resources include primary resources and full-text articles from academic journals and periodicals from around the world. SIRS (Social Issues Resource Series) Researcher & SKS WebSelect: newspaper, magazine, and journal articles as well as websites  SIRS (Social Issues Resource Series) Discoverer & Discoverer WebFind: newspaper, magazine journal articles as well as websites generally easier to read that Researcher Proquest Research Resources: offers full text, full image articles from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Christian Science Monitor dating back to the 19th century International Children’s Digital Library: University of Maryland project offering online access to e-books in over 50 languages from around the globe Quick Search (All Databases): a master index to all of the databases Access to these databases is for the Anne Arundel County Public School community, including all teachers, faculty, staff, students, and parents/guardians.  Due to the nature of our contract with these companies we are unable to publish our user names and passwords on our website.  However, user names and passwords are available in student agenda books. These databases provide current, reliable information and we encourage students and their families to use these resources for homework and research.   Noodle Tools We are very pleased to offer students individual accounts in Noodle Tools, a wonderful online bibliographic and research software.  The students can use their accounts to gather sources, create bibliographies, take notes, and create outlines throughout their time at AMS.  Noodle Tools is also used at Annapolis High School.    Information on accessing and using Noodle Tools is available on Blackboard in the Library/Media section.  It can be reached through the OPAC (http://opac.aacps.org) from the Online Database page as well, or by going directly to www.noodletools.com.   Blackboard The Media Center maintains space on Blackboard for students to access from home.  We are currently developing online resource lists called “pathfinders” for students to use in their research.  These lists are tailored to fit the needs of each specific assignment and provide some tips on how to find relevant books and on what databases might be most useful, as well as lists of reputable, reliable websites with relevant information.     Classes in the Media Center   Students have many opportunities throughout the school year to develop their information skills and their love of reading.  Teachers sign up for instructional time or book check-out in the Media Center.  The school librarian plans with teachers to provide instruction in information skills that builds on what students are learning in the classroom.  The staff also provides reader’s advisory to classes and individual students.           Resources from the Amazing Anne Arundel County Public Library System                                                       Homework Centers All branches of the public library offer homework centers for our students.  If a teacher sends an Assignment Alert to the library when students are assigned a research project or given a reading list or assigned any school project the public library may be able to help them with, then the library staff will request and reserve appropriate materials from the entire public library system and keep them on reserve for the duration of the assignment.  They will also keep a copy of the assignment on file for students and parents.    Online Services   The Anne Arundel County Public Library offers many on-line services, some available from remote sites. Library card numbers, PIN numbers and passwords are sometimes required to access these services.  Complete listings of these on-line services are available in the Media Center and at the public library homepage: http://www.aacpl.net