Pioneer Central Schools

"School libraries are places of opportunity where quality collections are provided, in print and online, that support the curriculum and address a variety of learning needs." --- School Libraries Work! Research Foundation Paper, 2004

The mission of the Pioneer Middle School Library Media Center is to ensure that all students and staff have the skills and opportunity to access, evaluate, and use information. The Library Media Specialists play a critical role in the introduction of new learning technologies, support of the curriculum, and the teaching of information skills in a positive learning environment in which all students can become independent, lifelong learners.

We believe that it is important for the Library Media Program to maintain its traditional role of preserving and disseminating information while incorporating advances in technology for information access. Our goal is to help students become productive citizens and participants in a rapidly changing global society.

We hope you will take advantage of the library's facilities and resources to assist you in successfully completing your studies at Pioneer Middle School. The library staff is here to help you in any way that we can, and the facility is designed to meet your assignment needs. Students may use the facility freely both before and after school so long as you have a permission slip to stay. When visiting the library, students are required to sign in and out at the library main desk.

The copyright law of the United States [United States Code, Title 17] governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

Under certain conditions, specified in the law, libraries are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. These specified conditions permit the photocopying of copyrighted material for individual use—private study, scholarship, or research. Any other use may be an infringement of the copyright law.

No further reproduction and distribution of the copy you are requesting is permitted by transmission or any other means.

The Pioneer Middle School Library is pleased to accept gifts and/or memorial donations from patrons. Gifts are gratefully and willingly accepted as long as NO restriction is placed upon their use. Acceptance of gifts (of books and other library materials) will be determined by the library director on the basis of their suitability to the library’s purposes and needs in accordance with the library’s stated materials selection policy. Use or disposal of all gift materials will be determined by the library director or designated agent. The library has the right to discard any gifts in poor physical condition (e.g. brittle paper, water or mildew damage, torn and/or missing pages, etc.). Cash and/or non-cash contributions are tax deductible under the IRS Publication 526. The value of books is usually determined by selecting comparable sales and adjusting the prices. This is difficult to do and, except for a collection of little value, should be done by a specialized appraiser. We use amazon.com to obtain a current market value on your used materials. This is determined at the time of receipt of material by the media specialist. Monetary donations for memorial purchases need to be in check form and drawn from US funds, and made out to PIONEER MIDDLE SCHOOL with a notation that the money is for “Library Memorial Donation.” The library director will discuss with you and/or your family what the needs of the library are, or, if you have a specific genre of book in mind, what your suggestion is for inclusion in the collection.

The library provides a quiet place for students and staff to study and do research. Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to policies and posted signs concerning acceptable use of computers and the library facility. Conversations at reasonable levels that do not disturb other patrons or instructors is permitted.

A valid I.D. card must be presented when checking out materials. Most books, back issues of magazines, and pamphlets may be taken out for two weeks. Most reference books do not circulate. When materials become overdue, notices are sent to homeroom. If materials are lost or damaged, the student is responsible for paying for or replacing the materials.

Materials that have been deemed "teen" or "young adult" in content are reserved for students with a parental permission form filed with the library. This form is to be filled out annually by the requesting student and parent. Please see the circulation person at the desk for more information.

"...the selection of library and audio-visual material will be of a quality that will support and enrich the curriculum." -- Board Policy #8320, 1991. Materials are selected based on curriculum maps, input from faculty, staff, and students, as well as professional trade magazines and shows. Material is chosen from vendors "jobbers" in the field and are normally at a reduced cost due to bulk purchases. A certified library media specialist is trained to select, evaluate, and even negotiate for the best dollar amount.

Materials are removed from use based on an approved policy. The primary reasons for withdrawing materials is outdated information and poor physical condition. As curriculum and student interests change, the collection shifts to reflect these changes. The purpose of a school library media center collection is to meet the needs of the current users, not to maintain an archival record of the past. A school library needs to remain current, timely, and accurate - the same qualities most patrons should look for when examining a web site for academic use. 

To achieve our goal, we use an acronym appropriately called MUSTIE. This stands for:

Misleading and/or factually inaccurate:
Ugly (worn out beyond mending or rebinding):
Superseded by a new edition or a better source;
Trivial (of no discernable literary or scientific merit);
Irrelevant to the needs and interests of your community;
Elsewhere (the material may be easily borrowed from another source).

Materials are then removed based on this criteria, as well as Condition, Age, Frequency of Use, Multiple Copies, and Currency/Accuracy and is completed using the CREW guidelines by Dewey Class.