Library/Media Center
The WMS Library Information Center provides a variety of resources and services to students and staff. Our resources include print and online sources. The print collection includes books and resources to support curriculum as well as books for pleasure reading. Computers are available for student use. The Library has its own webpage which gives information on the Library and the resources available to students and staff. The online subscription sources include general encyclopedias, specialized encyclopedias, reference books, periodicals, radio transcripts, video clips and image collections are available to students. An online subscription guide is available to every student.
Many opportunities for book exchange and free reading are available to students. Our teachers promote reading by visiting the library often to take out books for pleasure reading. Several reading events, such as Banned Book Week and Read Across America, are held throughout the year.
In a quickly changing world, our students need the skills to successfully access and evaluate, and synthesize information. Technology will constantly be changing and students need the critical thinking skills to adapt to these changes. Students receive extensive instruction in information literacy skills within classroom curriculums. Information literacy skills and technology competencies are embedded within the core curriculums so students have many opportunities to practice these skills before being assessed on them. The information problem solving model used by the Middle School is the Big Six which was developed by Dr. Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz (www.big6.com).
At the Middle School level, the instructional focus is on the research process, as well as, the final product. To prepare students for their academic coursework at the high school, several research activities take place. Two of the most important skills taught at this level are the ability to evaluate information sources (especially websites) and the ability to properly cite sources (using the MLA format) to avoid plagiarism.
Hours
Monday through Friday 7:40 - 2:35 (unless arrangements are made with library staff)
Before and After School Use:
The Library is open at 7:40 a.m. each morning. The Library closes at 2:35 unless arrangements have been made with the librarians the day before.
The purpose of the after school hours is to offer students an opportunity to work on specific research assignments. Twenty passes will be signed out for a given day on a first come, first served basis. A waiting list will be available when the demand is high. Every effort will be made to keep access to this facility equitable.
To ensure the safety of the students, we need everyone's help in following these guidelines.
- The Library has after school hours when the late bus is running on Mondays and Wednesdays. An official After School Pass should be picked up in the library the day before a student plans to stay. Students may also print the After School pass below. The early sign up is needed so that students can obtain parent and teacher permissions on their after school passes.
- The pass must be signed by a parent/guardian and the classroom teacher for whom they are completing work. It is each student's responsibility to obtain all the needed signatures on the pass. All completed passes must be turned into the library by noon on the day they are to be used (crucial to verify that there will be sufficient staff).
- The student must sign in with the staff member at the circulation desk.
- The after school hours end at 3:45 p.m.
The rules for after school use are quite specific. They are as follows:
No food or drink in the library.
- All bookbags and backpacks must remain in designated areas.
- Students must furnish their own supplies.
- Students must work quietly and respect others' rights to do so.
- Students must remain in the library until dismissal at 3:45 p.m. If a student is to leave any earlier than 3:45 a parent/guardian must write an early dismissal note.
- Use of computers is at the discretion of the librarians.
Library Pass for After School Use
Works Cited Quick Tips
Contact Us
Phone: (203) 291-1554
FAX: (203) 192 – 1516
Email: workscitededit@westonk12-ct.org
