Library - Frequently Asked Questions
When is the library open?
Our regular library hours are 7:00 am until 3:45 pm, Monday through Friday. We are often open before and after these times and students are welcome. Also, on ANNOUNCED evenings the library is open for students to study. These special evening hours will be made known through MCTV.
Can I bring my food and drink into the library?
No food. Drinks are allowed in approved containers, but even using these precautions please be careful. Approved containers would include largely bottles and cups with a lid - preferably a screw-on top. No open canned drinks may be brought in. See the information posted in the library.
Can I access my e-mail in the library?
Library computers may be used to open your e-mail to retrieve school assignments. In fact, we encourage you to e-mail assignments to yourself as a "back-up" even if you have saved them on a flash drive. In general, library computers should be used for school assignments/business. Please don't plan to use the library computers for such things as playing video games or shopping.
In what format should I save my files?
Great question! Regular documents are best saved as .rtf .doc or .docx . We can also open documents created in Microsoft Works (.wps) and Open Office (.odt). If you create a document on a Macbook, remember to "Save As" a Word Document. Please pay attention to how and where you are saving files. It's important when you want to retrieve them.
Can I bring my laptop to school?
You can bring it, and if we have a wireless network available you are welcome to use it; but be aware that we do not always have wireless access available at school. (A little bird told us to expect to have this ability soon!) We are not allowed to connect student computers to our network via cable. We are not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen computers. We suggest you use flash drives and e-mail for shuttling your documents and information, or save in the "cloud".
Can I just plug in my flash drive to any available USB port?
Sure, but first always let us scan it for viruses. We only have 19 computers for student use and if even one gets sick and is out of commission, a lot of student work can't get done.
Can I print from the library computers?
Yes you can, but please pay attention to what you are printing. Black-and-white copies cost $.10 and color copies cost $.25 per page. Our printers are set to default to black-and-white, so ask if you need to print in color. If you print be prepared to pay for every page you print. We encourage you to do a "print preview" so you'll be sure of what you are printing. Those dimes and quarters are important because we use them to buy paper and pay photocopier costs. That's expensive stuff, but valuable to our students, so please help us keep it going by paying promptly. No credit is extended.
Do you have a photocopier available?
Yes we do and the charge per page is $.10. If you need some pages from a book copied, please fill out a form (available in the library), place it in the book (leave some of the form exposed at the top so we"ll notice) and leave it at the circulation desk. It is very important to print your name and the name of your English teacher and English block. That's how we know to file and retrieve your material. You don't have to wait for your copies. You can come back when it's convenient for you to pick them up - but do come back to get them.
What about a Scanner?
We do have a couple of scanners and they are available for students and teachers to scan documents/notes/ books/journals. You can scan and print directly to our printers (handy especially if you need a color copy), or you can scan to a digital file and e-mail yourself the material. Ask and we'll be glad to show you how to use them.
Can I use the library catalog from home?
Sorry, no. However, you can access the library catalog from anywhere within the school. You can look up items by author, title, keyword, or subject.
What books can I check out and how long can I keep them?
You can check out all fiction and non-fiction books not tagged Reference or requested "no checkout" by a teacher, for a period of two weeks. During research time a teacher may request we limit that time a bit more on particular books so more students can access the material. The fee for a late book is $.10 per day and all fees must be cleared to renew books or check out others. You may renew a book once by coming to the circulation desk and asking us to renew it. You don't even have to have the book with you. Magazines/periodicals may not be checked out, but we"ll be glad to photocopy an article for you. We keep copies of our periodicals for a period of 5 years.
I"ve heard you guys talk about databases. How do I access them?
Our students have access to the Magnolia databases, courtesy of our Mississippi State Legislature. Also, Madison Central has purchased access to other databases for our students. JSTOR (Journal STORage) has thousands of academic articles on a variety of subjects. We also have purchased access to several databases from Facts on File as well as a database called Points of View. Please come by the library and ask for passwords and access information. We encourage you to use all as often as you can!
