Library Policies

It is Servite Library’s purpose to provide quality resources and continued support to students, faculty and staff. Newly remodel, the Library has become the hub for many in the Servite community to study, work on projects, hold meetings, and much more. In order to protect the Library collection, the Servite Library encourages the return of overdue materials and the collection of fines.

The Servite community relies on the Library and its services for materials that support research and professional development. The Servite Library, in turn, relies on its users for help in its efforts to provide equal and timely access to the materials in its collection. When items are not returned in a timely manner, other users are denied access to those resources. Library users help by returning or renewing materials on or before the due date. Complying with Library circulation policies enables all users to share in the wealth of our available resources.

User Policies

Students, faculty, and staff must have a current school ID card to check out circulation materials.

Users may check out no more than two (3) items at any time. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Library Media Specialist for students working on large research projects.

Items are checked out for a two (2) week period, and must be returned or renewed before or on the due date to avoid being charged fees. Renewals may be completed online through the School Library Catalog or in person at the circulation desk.

Textbook Policy

School-issued textbooks must be checked out from the Library using a current student ID card. Hardcover textbooks will come with a plastic book cover which is considered part of the book. Students with any outstanding fees will be unable to check out a textbook until those fees have been paid.

Textbooks are checked out for a semester at a time and must be renewed during the first week of the second semester (January 9th - 13th, 2017). It is the student's responsibility to renew their textbooks, students will be charged $.10 per day for late renewals. Renewals may be completed online through the School Library Catalog or in person at the circulation desk.

All checked out textbooks are to be returned during finals week. Seniors must return their textbooks before Senior Week starts. Upon return, each textbook will be assessed for any damages, including missing or ruined book covers. Failure to return a textbook will result in it being marked as lost and the cost of replacing the textbook will be charged to the student’s account. Charges will included the price to replace the book and a processing fee for preparing the book for circulation. See Lost or Damaged Items for fees and more information.

Late Fees and Fines

Any user who does not return or renew checked out material on or before the due date will be charged a fee of $0.10 per day the item is late. Users will not be charged on School Holidays or weekends.

Once a user reaches fines of $4.00 or more a hold may be placed on his account, and he will be unable to check out any further materials until the fine has been paid using one of our two payment methods. Any fines not paid in a timely manner will be charged to students' accounts which may place a hold on student records being released, including students' diplomas.

Late fees may be paid in person at the Library, or with an approved replacement by the librarian. Email verification of paid fines will be sent upon receiving full, or partial, payment.

Lost or Damaged Items

Items not returned within a one (1) month time frame from the original due date will be marked as lost, and the cost of replacing the book will be charged to the user's account. Charges will included the price to replace the book, and a processing fee for preparing the book for circulation.

At time of return, any damaged books will be assessed and fines will be charged. Users will be informed via email if any charges are processed and what they are for. In some cases they will be informed in person when the book is returned. All charges are based on whether the book is able to stay in circulation. If book is deemed unusable student will be charged for the price of the book and the processing fee. See below for the Damage Costs chart.

Fines may be paid in person, or we will accept an in-kind (same, or better, quality; same ISBN) replacement of damaged or lost item. Any fines not paid in a timely matter will be charged to students accounts which may place a hold on student records, and diploma, being released.

Email verification of paid fines will be sent upon receiving full, or partial, payment or replacement item.

FEES

The library now provides copying and wireless printing services. This service allows students to send print jobs from home or while at school. Items may be picked up before school, after school, or during breaks. Student MAY NOT print during class hours.

Printing Fees: Cost is 25 cents for black and white, and 50 cents for color printing.

*Students are encouraged to do their printing and copying at home.

The Patio area is an extension of the library where students may read, study, collaborate, or relax. The patio furniture is to be used as it would inside the library, i.e., feet belong on the floor, not on the cushions. Other than water, food and beverages must be consumed elsewhere. All of the rules listed in the Servite School Handbook also apply to the Library Patio, e.g., no games, gum, cell phones, etc.

The Servite Library is a shared space where students are welcome to read, research, do homework, and work on assignments or school projects. Students are expected to be respectful of the needs of others by speaking in quiet tones so that those who come to the library to read and study are able to do so without disruption. Food and drinks must be consumed outside the library. Bottled water is allowed as long as the container is covered. In addition to the main entrance, the library building includes two doors that are clearly marked "emergency exit." All of the rules listed in the Servite School Handbook apply in the library as well, e.g., no games, gum, cell phones, etc.

SHOP matches teachers, California Scholastic Federation (CSF) Members, or National Honor Society (NHS) Members with students who need homework assistance or tutoring. SHOP is a FREE homework assistance program that takes place before and after school Monday through Thursday from 7:30 - 8:15 AM and from after school to 4:30 PM. Students do not have to be SHOP attendees in order to use the library after school.

*Please sign up for tutoring through the Counseling Department. 

The IT Department is located in the library and is available to assist students with technology before school, after school, and during lunch. If IT isn't available, see the librarian for assistance. IT will close at 3:00 PM daily.

Students may NOT visit IT during class-time. In order to obtain IT assistance, students are required to show their student ID.

• First come, first served
• Reserved for CSF. See schedule in Library 

The purpose of a Collection Development Policy is to ensure that all library resources are acquired, accounted for, kept up-to-date, and discarded in a purposeful manner.

Goals of Servite Library’s Collection

The Servite Library’s collection of resources exists to:

• support learners as they advance through the school’s curriculum
• inspire a culture of lifelong learning and devotion to seeking truth
• support instructors as they teach curriculum and learning objectives
• meet the recreational needs of students and the school community at large

Evaluation of Collection

The success of Servite’s collection is evaluated throughout the year, using the following guidelines:

Materials Selection - New and Donated: The campus librarian is primarily responsible for budgeting for, reviewing, and ordering resources. Department chairs may assist with selection of the collection of materials. 

The School Library Staff adhere to the following criteria for selecting materials to add to the library’s collection:

• relevance to current or future curriculum
• appropriateness of level to intended users
• appropriate physical format to match student needs
• appearance and durability of material
• cost, value and suitability, specifically for Servite’s library-use
• accuracy and currency of content
• authority and reputation of authors, producers, and/or publishers
• scope of the work, adequacy of coverage, and level of detail
• ability to engage reader
• treatment of subject matter, taking into account language, bias and approach

A variety of reputable review and selection aids may be consulted to identify potential additions to the collection, such as:

• Common Sense Media or other Christian-based online review source
• Reviewing journals, e.g., School Library Journal, Kirkus, YALSA, Hornbook
• Recommendations from professional colleagues, listservs, book clubs
• Bookseller reviews

Deselection of Materials: In order to meet the evolving needs of students and teachers, collection evaluation occurs on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Items may be withdrawn from Servite’s collection based upon the following criteria:

• Circulation – how often the item has been checked out or used in the library
• Copyright date – the timeliness of information
• Condition – appearance
• Relevance - to curriculum needs and classroom needs

Policies & Procedures

Donated materials: Donated materials will be reviewed, using the previously-mentioned criteria. Items that are not adopted into Servite’s collection will be donated.

Acceptable donations include:

• Hardcover and paperback books in good condition
• DVDs (non-blue ray) in good condition
• Materials that may be relevant to the Servite Order and its history

Book Challenge: In the rare case that a parent, student, or teacher questions the usefulness or appropriateness of a particular Servite resource, the following steps will be followed:

1. Resource Inquiry Form is completed and returned to the librarian. *This includes the written contract that the inquiring party has read the entire book.
2. The record of the identified item is investigated by the librarian for number of circs, relevance to the curriculum, condition, copyright, and reviews.
3. The librarian presents the information to the Curriculum Council Committee (CCC).
4. The CCC decides whether or not to withdraw the item or to follow through with a hearing.
5. Servite Administration is notified of the CCC’s decision.
6. The inquiring party will be notified of either a time to meet for a hearing or that the item has been withdrawn from the collection, along with reasons for doing so.

*The Servite Library Collection Policy is to be reviewed and revised annually (preferably prior to the beginning of the school year) by the campus librarian and then formally adopted with any revisions by the Curriculum Council Committee.