This is the PowerPoint Presentation of my Media Handbook for the Perth Amboy Public School System. This Handbook highlights the Philosophy, Procedures, Policies, etc. that are taken to ensure that the media center is maintained and available to all patrons. After consulting my mentor and other media specialists in the district, this handbook can be used effectively and can assist new media specialists in the district when it comes to setting up their media center for the first time. 

1. Library Policy Manual
Michael Puma

2. Philosophy
• The Philosophy of the Anthony V. Ceres Media Center is that through
exploration comes knowledge. We believe that all our students have the
capability to learn and achieve their dreams as long as they have the love and
support from the faculty and staff of the school. Through books,
technology, and Maker space tasks our students will be inspired to learn and
able to expand their minds in a plethora of subject matter.

3. Mission Statement
• The Anthony V. Ceres School Library and Media Center act as a primary
source for both physical and electronic information for both students and
faculty. It also provides extra curriculum support for the entire school
community as well as access to multiple resources through traditional and
technological means. We want to establish equal opportunities for all of our
students by providing ways of improving their skills in things like literacy and
mathematics. This will help establish a community of lifelong learners who’s
love of learning stretch far beyond the classroom.

4. Media Committee
• At the Anthony V. Ceres School, the decisions and plans for the media center
are conducted by several members, including the building principal, media
supervisor, the library media specialist of the school, and the computer
teacher. All plans are discussed before they are brought to the superintendent
for approval. If there are future plans that may involve all library media
specialists and computer teachers in the district, PLC meetings with me
scheduled to discuss these plans.

5. Library Media Center Diagram

6. Services

7. Services to Students
• The Anthony V. Ceres Library provide a plethora of resources for the
students that will enhance their learning as well as help them practice
utilizing technology. The students have access to both physical and electronic
book titles to check out with each book categorized by the Dewey Decimal
System, making it easy for the students to find books appropriate to their
reading level. Students also have access to learning games and activities
through Makerspace tasks and online games through Chromebooks and
iPads.

8. Services for Teachers
• The resources that are used in the library are chosen primarily for the teachers. The
resources and services provided to the teachers from the library are careful picked in
order to provide a fun and effective teaching environment for the students. Teachers
can also recommend or suggest other resources and services for the library, which
will be taken into consideration by the library media specialists, administration, or
those who serve on the Media Committee if there is one. Additionally, the library
subscribes to different magazines like National Geographic that teachers can access
as well as educational journals. Some of the journals that can accessed in the A.V.
Ceres media center include The Children’s Book Council and The National Book
Council.

9. Services for Parents
• The Anthony V. Ceres Library and Media Center provide ample resources in order
to parents in order to further support their child’s learning. We notify the parents
with written and electronic newsletters of any upcoming news and events that are
taking place in their child’s school especially with events such as the semi-annual
Book Fair, Read Across America, and the unveiling of our new Makerspace
Program. Parents are also able to access their child’s Google accounts so they can
keep track of all of their child’s assignments and follow up with routine progress
reports. If there is an issue that the parents are having with their child both in or
outside of school, they can schedule an appointment with the school counselors in
order to maintain the continual success of their children.

10. Services to the Community
• All of the schools in the Perth Amboy School District are extremely
connected to the community and ensure that the students know about the
community that they live in. One way that the A.V. Ceres Library Media
Center helps connect our students to their community is for the 4th grade
classes to take part in an event every year called “Digital Learning Day”.
Every year, students from the Communications Academy of Perth Amboy
High School come to our school and read the students a story about the
history of Perth Amboy and then take part in a scavenger hunt solving clues
by scanning QR Codes.

11. Services to the Community
• The A.V. Ceres School also encourages parents and former teachers of the district
to come in and read to the students in order to maintain the connections that were
made overtime. The school also provides food and beverages so the parents can be
comfortable stay longer. While the are relaxing and mingling with the other parents
and teachers, they also have the opportunity to see the library and all of the
resources that our school has to offer the students. Lastly, our school conducts a
semi-annual food drive, which not only benefits the less fortunate, but also directly
benefits some of our students. Because our school has the financial demographic in
the district, many of our students are impoverished . These food drives directly help
those students and there families and shows them that their schools care for them as
well as their families.

12. Resources

13. Resources in Print
• The A.V. Ceres library has a plethora of printed resources that are meant to
help both the faculty and teachers learn including, National Geographic
Magazines, Curriculum guides for the teachers, and a wide collection of
fiction and nonfiction books to checkout in both English and Spanish. The
library also provides a number of journals, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and
thesauruses for the students as well as a number of lesson plan books that
help the teachers with some creative ideas they can do for a lesson.

14. Online Resources
• Because the A.V. Ceres library is constantly being updated, we are constantly adding
new online resources for students and teachers. In the past year, we have purchased
programs such as Bookflix and Trueflix as well as accounts for other Web 2.0 tools
like PebbleGo, The Children’s Book Council, The Children’s Literature Association,
and The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Administrators. All of these online
resources are interactive tools that assist students with their reading, but also make
reading books interactive by highlighting difficult words, helping students and
teachers find incredible books that may not be in print within the library, and help
the story come alive for the students.

15. Equipment
• There is a wide variety of equipment that we have in the A.V. Ceres Library
that we use to promote learning and assist faculty members. For the students
we have over thousands of books that they can choose from, Chromebooks
for the students to use, and a lot of materials that can be used in the new
Maker Space area in the media center. Some of the new Maker Space
materials that the students will be able to use include a Lego Wall, Bee bots,
Sphereos, 3Doodle Pens, and much more.

16. Patron Rules, Responsibilities, and
Consequences

17. Rules of the Library
• All classes will be able to visit the library once every two weeks for 45 minute
class sessions.
• Teachers can inform the librarian of what they are learning in class and
coordinate that subject matter with specific books that can be checked out
• One period a day, teachers can sign up to bring their classes down to enjoy a
Maker Space period for 45 minutes
• After the Maker Space period has concluded, students will put all of the
materials back where they belong and clean the space for the next class

18. Rules of the Library
• Classes that miss their regularly scheduled library sessions due to a holiday or school
event, a teacher can request a make up time to bring their classes down to the
library.
• Books may be checked out for two weeks and brought back the next library class to
avoid being overdue.
• A student can renew a book a maximum of three times, with the exception of
books that are constantly requested. Those books may only be renewed once to be
fair to the other students who wish to check out that book.
• All reference materials can be checked out, however they must be returned by the
end of each day.

19. Rules of the Library
• Any materials that are lost or damaged will be paid by the person who lost or
damaged the item.
• If a student was responsible for damaging or losing an item, a letter will be
sent home to their parents informing them of damaged items and the
amount of fees that must be paid.
• Students can be sent down to library at any point during the school day
(8:50am-2:45pm)and return or exchange library books.

20. Patron Responsibilities
• Students must take care of all items that are both inside and outside of the
library. The students are told the first library class that all items that are
checked out must be returned in their original condition
• The students must uphold all of the library rules that are introduced the first
library class of the year
• All students are responsible for knowing the library checkout procedures and
3rd and 4th grade classes must know where the books they checkout belong
when they return them.

21. Consequences
• If a student that fails to return a library book on time, they will not be permitted to
take out another library book until the overdue book has been returned.
• If a book has been lost or damaged by a student, a letter will be sent home to the
parents detailing what item(s) have been missing or damaged and the fees needed to
be paid
• If a student breaks the rules of the library or causes a minor disruptions they will be
sent to “Cooldown Cube” for two minutes, where they can release some extra
energy that they may have.

22. Consequences in Class
• Every class is made aware that their behavior is monitored by a “Behavior
Light” that changes colors based on how well the students are behaving.
• Whenever the class misbehaves or doesn’t follow the rules the color of the
light will change, indicating the number of strikes that the class has.
• If the class acquires three strikes before the end of class, the class is not
allowed to be rewarded.

23. The Behavior Light
• Color Code of the Behavior is as
followed:
• Blue: 0 Strikes
• Purple: 1 Strike
• Pink: 2 Strikes
• Red: 3 Strikes

24. Consequences for
Individual
Disruptions
• 1 Disruption= They get sent to the
cooldown cube for 2 minutes
• 2 Disruptions= Their name gets written
on the board and a check is put next to
their name
• 3 Disruptions= A second check mark is
put next to their name
• 4 Disruptions= A third check mark is put
next to their name and a note is sent
home to their parents
• 5 Disruptions= Student is sent to
Principal/Vice Principal’s Office
If an individual student
is causing disruptions in
the library, the following
consequences will be
enforced:

25. Rewards
• Class BUG Awards (See “Other
Appropriate Items Section”)
• Individual Student BUG Award
• Free Reading Time
• Stickers
• Hearing a Silly Voice
• Earn a Book Buck that allows them to
checkout one extra book
If students behave
while they are in the
library they can be
given number of
rewards:

26. Materials and Challenges

27. Materials Available to the Community
• All materials that are within the library are available for community use and
all patrons must follow the policies put in place to ensure the longevity and
continual use of all materials. All materials in the library cannot be removed
unless verbal or written permission must be given by the library media
specialist. If a patron has an issue with one of the materials that are in the
library and wish to request its removal, the patron has the right to fill out a
form of removal.

28. List of Materials in the Library
• Green Screen with cameras and tripods
• 3Doodle Pens and 3D Printer
• Desktop Computers
• Colored Printers
• White board with Projector
• Bee Bots
• Spheroes
• Fiction and Nonfiction Books
• Chromebooks
• VariQuest Cutout and Poster Maker
• Ellison Cutout Machine
• iPads
• Lego Wall with Legos
• Markers, Crayons, Clipboards, Pipe
Cleaners, and other miscellaneous
Makerspace materials

29. Challenging Material
• If a parent or community member wishes
to challenge material in the library or
media center and requests its removal, they
can fill out a “Request for Removal” form
that is based on the policies and rights
held by the American Librarian
Association and the process can begin to
determine whether the questioned material
will be removed from the library or media
center. An example of the form can be
found by clicking the ALA logo.

30. Policy of Overdue Books
• Students who have books that are overdue will receive notification of the overdue
status from the librarian indicating that they have one day to return the item. If the
student still fails to bring back the book, a letter will be sent home to the parents,
notifying them of the situation. In order to avoid books being brought back late, a
letter will be sent home with the students at the beginning of the year that explains
the responsibility of the students and parents to keep track of all books that are
checked out. To try and encourage the students to continue this policy, rewards can
be given to students for returning books on time consistently. If a student is able to
return books on time for three library classes in a row, a special reward will be given
to the student.

31. Guidelines for Grade
Levels and Staff

32. Kindergarten
• At the beginning of the year, the students will have books read aloud to
them and take part in activities that go along with books that we are reading.
As the year goes on, they be able to choose a book from the library, learn
how to use a shelf marker so they can be able to put the book back, and
learn how to check out books in the easy fiction section.
• In March, the students will be able to make their own library cards to use
when they check out library books and be allowed to look through the easy
section.

33. 1st Grade
• At the beginning of the year, students will listen to books being read allowed
and take part in activities that relate to books that we are reading. Students
will also review the rules of the library, be introduced to using the online
catalog, how to select a book, properly using a shelf marker, learning how to
exchange library books, and being able to checkout books from the easy
fiction section with guided supervision.
• In January, students will receive their library cards and use them when
checking out books and be allowed to go through both the easy fiction and
nonfiction books in the library.

34. 2nd Grade
• At the beginning of the year, the students will review the rules of the library and go
through the checkout procedures. They students will also receive permission slips to
be signed by their parents and brought back, allowing them to take part in library
events throughout the year as well as accessing the rest of the books in the library
as well as agreeing to uphold the library rules and maintaining the integrity of all of
the library’s property when they use it. .
• They will receive immediate library card use for checking out books and students
who prove themselves to be responsible will be allowed immediate checkout non-
fiction and chapter books.

35. 3rd Grade
• In the beginning of the year, the students will review the library rules and be able to access
the online catalogue through Destiny Quest. The students at this point are allowed to check
out as many as two books.
• Students will receive permission slips in the beginning of the year so they can take part in
events that are held within the library throughout the year as well as agreeing to uphold the
library rules and maintaining the integrity of all of the library’s property when they use it.
• They will receive immediate access to their library cards and they will be allowed to checkout
books that are in both the fiction and nonfiction section.
• In the month of January, the students will be allowed to full access to the technology within
the library.

36. 4th Grade
• In the beginning of the year, the students will review the library rules and be able to
access the online catalogue through Destiny Quest. The students at this point are
allowed to check out as many as two books.
• Students will receive permission slips in the beginning of the year so they can take
part in events that are held within the library throughout the year as well as agreeing
to uphold the library rules and maintaining the integrity of all of the library’s
property when they use it.
• They will receive immediate access to their library cards and they will be allowed to
full access to all materials in the library.

37. Staff
• All of the staff are permitted to have full access to the library at any time
throughout the school day. They may utilize all of the materials that the
library has as well as checking out individual or sets of books to use in their
classes. All checked materials by teachers must be returned after two weeks
and materials can be renewed for up to 3 weeks, but must be returned after
that.

38. Material Criteria
• All material that is in the library must meet certain criteria in order to place in it. The criteria is as followed:
• All books that are purchased for the library are based on the need of the teachers and the students
• All materials must come from vendors that have been approved by the district
• All materials must be printed from reputable companies with known literary merit.
• All books in shelves must be durable and be of standard size
• Any video and audio equipment must by compatible with technology in the school
• All of the books must be appropriate for the reading levels of our students.
• The newly purchased materials must be updated and be necessary to the teachers’ instruction
• All purchases in the media center must benefit both the students and faculty

39. Sample Forms

40. Anthony V. Ceres School- 21st
Century School Library
Media Center
445 State Street
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
Telephone: 732-376-6020
Derrick Kyriacou, Principal
Brian Rivera, Vice Principal
September, 2018
Dear Parents,
Your child is about to take upon the responsibility of borrowing library books. A few
rules must be followed to ensure a successful year.
1. Help find a place where your child can keep the library book so that it will not
get lost or damaged.
2. All library books must be returned on time. If a book is not returned on the date
due, your child may not borrow another until the book is returned to the library.
3. Send the book to the library to be mended if it is damaged accidentally.
4. Lost books and/or damaged books that cannot be mended must be paid for
before your child may borrow another library book.
Please review these rules with your child, and then sign the form below. Return it as soon as possible to
your child’s teacher.
I am certain with your cooperation; we can make the library and reading a pleasurable experience.
Sincerely,
Michael Puma
Library Media Specialist
RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER
Student’s Name__________________________________________ Room Number__________
Parent’s Name___________________________________________ Date ________________
Please Check One:
___________ I want my child to borrow library books
__________ I do not want my child to borrow library books
Form A

41. Form B
Anthony V. Ceres School- 21st
Century School Library
Media Center
445 State Street
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
Telephone: 732-376-6020
Derrick Kyriacou, Principal
Brian Rivera, Vice Principal
______________________, 20___
Dear Parents/Guardians:
This letter is to inform you that your child_______________________ did not
return his/her library book today. The title of the book is
_______________________________________________. As you may know, your child’s class
always has library _________________________________, and books may only be checked out
for two weeks. Please look for the book if it is lost, and return it tomorrow to the library. If the
book is not returned, you will be responsible for the cost of replacing the book, your
cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Mr. Puma
Anthony V. Ceres School

42. Form C

43. Form D

44. Scope and Sequence

45. Kindergarten-6th Grade

48. Bibliography
• American Library Association. (2019). Retrieved April 3, 2019, from http://www.ala.org/
• Copeland, B., & Messner, P., (2004). Collaborative Library Lessons for the Primary Grades:
Linking Research Skills to Curriculum Standards. Westport Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited
• Lee, C. K. & Langford, J. (2000). Learning about Books and Libraries: A Gold Mine of Games. Fort
Atkinson, WI: Alleyside Press.
• Resources for School Librarians. (2019, March 7). Retrieved April 1, 2019, from
http://www.sldirectory.com/
• Stephens, C., & Franklin, P. (2007). Library 101: A Hanbook for the School Library Media
Specialst. Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited
• Westport, Taylor, P., Brinkmeyer, K., & Brinkmeyer, S. (2001). Dewey and the Decimals: Learning
Games & Activities. Atkinson, WI: Alleyside Press.