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Media Center Services

School-Based and Web-Based Resources

The media center has an extensive collection of print and nonprint resources to support the instructional program including periodicals, newspapers, microfiche collections, videodiscs, videotapes, art prints, posters, and more.

From any networked workstation in the building, students can access media center resources on the building wide network and through the World Wide Web using the Virtual Media Center which is located on the Quince Orchard Homepage. Resources available through the Virtual Media Center can also be accessed from computers outside the school building which makes them available to students 24 hours per day. The Virtual Media Center consists of two groups of web site links. The first set is made up of links to useful, no-cost sites and is organized by subject areas. The second group consists of links to programs licensed by Quince Orchard for its students and staff. These programs are password protected. Among the programs listed below, those available through the virtual media center are followed by a vm.

QO Virtual Media Center
VM Resources
Literary Index (Gale)vm
Teaching Booksvm
ABC-Clio Social Studiesvm
Culture Gramsvm
Science Facts on Filevm
Science Resource Centervm
Encyclopedia Americana
Encyclopedia Britannica Onlinevm
Enciclopedia Universal in Espanolvm
Exegy
One-on-One with the SAT
Quince Orchard Media Center Catalog


SIRS Discoverervm
SIRS Knowledge Sourcevm
ProQuest Platinumvm
Student Res. Center Goldvm
NetTrekkervm
AP Multimedia Archivevm
Opposing Viewpointsvm
Issues and Controversiesvm
Mont. County Public Library


Borrowing

Borrowing material from the Media Center:

  • Books and periodicals--2 weeks
    - overdue fine of $.10 per day
  • Reference and reserve books--overnight
    -overdue fine of $.50 per day
  • Equipment--for assignments

The circulation system is computerized. Students may borrow up to 10 items and more with permission of the media specialist.

Audiovisual equipment is loaned to students for class assignments and other school related activities. Video equipment is loaned to those students who have successfully completed a competency test. Overnight loan of equipment requires an Equipment Loan Form signed by the teacher, the student, and a parent.

Instructional Program

It is a goal of the Quince Orchard staff to teach all students how to use the resources and services of the media center. Basic instruction for all students is provided through a standard set of lessons during the 9th and 10th grade years. Additional instruction is provided as it is appropriate within a particular course; for example, literary criticism resources are introduced in Writing Workshop II for the research paper.

There are opportunities throughout the year for students to receive training in the use of camcorders and video editing equipment. Demonstration of competency with these items is a prerequisite for borrowing camcorders or scheduling the use of an editing system.

Research Assistance

In addition to working with students during class visits to the media center, the media staff provides individual assistance before school, during the lunch period, and after school.

Television Studio

The television studio is the center for school wide broadcasts of special presentations and Cougar TV, a weekly news show. It is a fully equipped and computerized communications lab with recording, editing and broadcasting capabilities.

The television facilities are available to classes and to individual students who wish to make a video production or other audiovisual project. Any student who wishes to use these facilities and/or equipment must participate in training and demonstrate competency.

Purchase/Reimbursement Policy

It is a goal of the media center to support all instructional needs of students. In situations where the collection is lacking information needed for an assignment, students are permitted to purchase a book, which in their judgment, would be valuable to them and other students. The media center will reimburse the purchase, provided the student had prior permission from the media specialist, and the item will be added to the media center collection.

Copying

Students may make copies from print, microfiche and network resources. A per page charge is made for all copies. Most computerized resources support downloading to disk at no cost.

Media Center