Guidelines and Expectations for teachers and their classes in the Library

The following guidelines are in addition to the guidelines that appear on the Library website.

1.  The Library is not a classroom so it is important to realize that habits and conditions that work for you and your class in your own environment may not be workable in the Library.  Most times, many other students are in the library studying and researching while your class is here. It is important that we all work together to keep noise levels* and behaviour within acceptable levels for all concerned.

2.  No eating is permitted in the library. Water is permitted as long as it is in a plastic or glass bottle. Juice packs are fine. No coffee cups or milkshakes are allowed. No beverages of any kind are permitted near or on the computer keyboards; this includes the floor near any computer.

3.  Students in your class should not associate in any way with other students on frees who may be in the library at that time. This interferes with your class’s learning process since the students’ aim is purely social. I will help with any monitoring of such situations.

4.  Lounging on the seating area near the library windows by students in your class is strongly discouraged. This area is not conducive to good work habits. (Indeed! More than once I have roused students from deep slumber here.) In short, more often than not, the area is merely a locus for dawdling. Invariably, the area is occupied by students on frees, which simply adds to the distraction.

5.  It is a good idea to occasionally monitor what your students are doing on the computers they are using. It is not uncommon for some students to be engaged in the playing of games or other unacceptable activities on school computers.

6.  Please note that if you book the library, you also book the library computers as well. (The exception is the “Circulation Computer” on the circulation desk. This is my work computer and is not available to students or staff at any time.) It is important that extra computers not used by the students in your class be immediately available to ‘free’ students who legitimately need a computer. I will help with assigning computers if the situation is ‘tight’.

7.  Please instruct your students to be as quiet as possible when they are entering and exiting the Library. It’s all about consideration; others are here working. Please try to accompany your class when they are coming into the library. This helps greatly in maintaining order and controlling the noise. Upon leaving the library, it is a good idea to have them remain seated until the bell goes. What tends to happen when they finish early is that they line up in front of the door, which blocks the entrance/exit and simply creates confusion, causes an inconvenience for other patrons coming and going and, most importantly, is a safety issue. (Again, I will help you monitor this situation.)

8.  Please try and give me a day’s notice if you intend to not use the library period you have booked. Other teachers may need a vacant space.

*On Noise Levels

It is very difficult to say, in any library, what levels of noise are acceptable. So much depends upon the subjective feelings of library staff and, of course, the patrons who use the library. Some people like it very quiet; others, do not mind a substantial amount of noise. I think we have to err on the side of relative quietness for the sake of those who do like it quiet. In practical terms, I would say a level in decibels comparable to normal conversation should be acceptable to most people. Definitely, hollering or shouting across the library is not acceptable.

I welcome suggestions. My aim is to facilitate the usage of the library for all, which is a big part of my official responsibilities, and to make the library an effective balance of learning and enjoyment.

Fred Gerrior, LSS

Sackville High School