Please refer to the Chromebook Handbook on the Governor Mifflin School District's page.
Circulation policies exist to ensure equitable access to library materials for all students.
No fines are levied on overdue materials. Students are reminded to be respectful of their peers by bringing materials back on time.
At the end of each quarter, items that are more than 14 days overdue will be reported to the Main Office as an obligation. Having an outstanding obligation prevents students from participating fully in the school community. Students cannot go on field trips or participate in some extracurricular activities (including BEST Day at the Middle School) until the obligation is satisfied.
Students are responsible for paying for lost or damaged items. Charges are carried from school to school and must be paid by graduation.
Damage is determined by the librarian. Even minor water damage may, in some cases, invite a risk of mold rendering the item unfit for the collection, even though it may still be readable.
Charges for damaged items are based on the replacement value of an equal item. Please note that the library often purchases library bound books designed to withstand repeated use. This may result in charges that are higher than what might be found on Amazon or another retailer for the same book title.
Once a damaged item has been paid for, it will be marked as discarded from the library and it belongs to the student.
Items still overdue at the end of the school year are declared lost. Lost items are also reported to the office as an obligation with charges dependent upon replacement value.
If a lost item is found and returned in good condition within 90 days of payment, the student may choose to keep the item (we will mark it as discarded from the collection) or return it for a refund.
Lost items found and returned more than 90 days after payment are not eligible for a refund.
Interlibrary Loan Circulation
Governor Mifflin School District participates in the state-wide interlibrary loan (ILL) system, AccessPA. This allows us to borrow materials from school, public, and academic libraries from across the state. It is imperative that students borrowing materials through ILL, for academics or for pleasure, return them to GMHS library on time, so that we can maintain good relationships with other lending libraries.
In order to maintain a vibrant, learning-focused environment for everyone:
Students who do not adhere to these standards of behavior face the following consequences:
Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession. Students have the right to a relevant, balanced, and diverse school library collection that represents all points of view; school librarians assume a leadership role in protecting minors’ First Amendment right to read and receive information and ideas.
Librarians work to build a collection that reflects the interests of the student body and the academic curriculum of each school building. Our library serves a diverse population, with differing values, cultural backgrounds, and abilities. To the degree possible, emphasis is placed on collecting resources that exhibit sensitivity to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or sexual orientation. Careful consideration is given to acquire high quality materials that promote personal and academic growth in our students. A district-wide procedure for requesting reconsideration of materials is in place, and may be acquired by contacting the librarian and the building principal.
At that time, the building principal will inform the requestor about the district’s policies, and the librarian will provide an explanation for the material’s intended educational purpose.The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent will be informed of the request received.
If the requestor wishes to proceed with a formal challenge, the building principal will provide copies of the necessary forms and the board policy.
Access to challenged materials will not be restricted during the process.
For more information please see the ALA Statement on Diverse Collections and the AASL Brochure on Intellectual Freedom in School Libraries
The library will accept donations, including items of interest to local historians. All donations will be reviewed by the librarian for alignment with the needs and goals of the collection. Items that cannot be included in the collection will be disposed of at the discretion of the professional librarian.
Materials which no longer meet the stated objectives of the library will be discarded according to accepted professional practices as described in the publication, The CREW Manual. Disposition of library materials deselected will be at the discretion of the professional librarian.