Welcome to the University Heights CharterSchool Library Media Center! Our school has so many wonderful new books and resources,which makes responsible book care an important part of our program. Please readand discuss the expectations below with your child.
Book Care Rules:
· Keep books clean; wash hands before touching.
· Keep books in a safe place away from babies, pets, food, and liquids.
· Turn pages carefully from the corner and use a bookmark to markyour place. Never write or draw in a book.
· When you are not reading your library books, keep them in yourbackpack or in your classroom at school.
UHCS Library Media Center Policies:
1. Books must be returnedafter one week. No other books may be borrowed if your child has any latebooks.
2. If a book is lost ordamaged, the student must pay to replace it per UHCS policy. Most of our bookshave special reinforced bindings that make the books costly to replace.
3. At UHCS, we believe youmust read to succeed. All children need to read or be read to daily along with visiting the public library.
Family Book Selection: Please take some time to discuss the typesof books you want your child to be reading. Also take the time to discuss anytopics you do not want your child to be reading about. They need to know yourexpectations.
Fines for Damaged or Lost Materials: Borrowing books from the UHCS Library & Media Center is free.There is no charge for checking books out unless a title is lost or damaged.
If a book isdamaged, the school should be compensated within two weeks of the event. Allpayments need to be made with a money order made payable to University HeightsCharter School. If there is a zoneof cost ($1.00-$5.00), the actual amount will be determined by the librarian’sprofessional judgment on a case-by-case basis. The cost depends on 1) theamount of damage and 2) the total value of the book.
Students need topay the entire replacement cost of any book that the librarian determines to beseriously damaged per UHCS regulations. Books achieve this status when there isenough moisture, writing, food, or physical damage so that an item can no longercirculate. The average cost of a paperback book is $10.00 and most hard coverbooks cost $25.00. Since these are average costs, the amount due for a replacementmay be greater or less, depending on the actual value of a particular title.This is also true for lost books.
Students are taught,reminded, and expected to examine all newly borrowed books for damage andreport any blemishes to the library staff. This is done to protect the patronfrom being held responsible for another’s book abuse. Given limited time andresources, the library staff is unable to check every library book as it isreturned. Instead, students are trained extensively from kindergarten throughfourth grade to examine newly checked out library books for damage before theyleave the library & media center.
Students areinstructed, strongly encouraged, and continually reminded to show any damage(ripped pages, markings, liquid damage, etc.) in their newly checked out booksto the library staff. This is done so that 1) the library staff can repair thebook (if possible), 2) the previous person who checked the book out willreceive a fine (if necessary), and 3) the student who currently has the book isprotected from any fines or damage costs.
Fines and Consequences for Overdue Materials: Overdue notices will be delivered to students in sealed envelopesto protect privacy as stipulated by the American Association of SchoolLibrarians (AASL).
· Students with overdue books will lose borrowing privileges.Privileges will be restored when overdue books are returned or fines have beenpaid. Loan periods are subject to change depending on patron's on-time turn-inrecord.
· Students must pay for lost books or books damaged beyond repair regardlessof if the fine was initiated at University Heights Charter School. If the fineremains unpaid, student report cards will be withheld at the school’sdiscretion until the account is settled.
· Fines may also be assessed for limited damage that results fromabuse or neglect on the part of the student. In no case should a fine exceed25% of the full purchase of the item.
If a studentleaves UHCS with library books, the student and parent/guardian should findsome way to return the book or pay the value of the book(s). You can 1)personally drop the books or money off at the school office, or 2) mail thebooks or money order to us at: University Heights Charter School, 74 HartfordSt., Newark, NJ 07103.