About

**Overview**: The Information Center provides a wide range of services to students and staff, including networked computer workstations that are available according to the District’s Acceptable Use Policy (in MSWord) and provide access to the catalog (OPAC), Microsoft Office software, and the Internet. The Internet provides access to [|JerseyCat], the state-wide interlibrary loan system, funded by the New Jersey State Library and the Regional Library Cooperatives. Students and staff are able to search the catalogs of participating school, public, academic, and special libraries throughout the state. South Plainfield School District is a member of [|INFOLINK], the Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative. Through our membership we obtain access to online electronic databases including EBSCOhost, Facts On File, Gale Contemporary Authors, and Country Watch, as well as access to NextReads, a service that provides book reviews.

**Circulation**: The Information Center provides books and periodicals for student and faculty loan. Books from the regular collection and past issues of magazines may be borrowed for two weeks and are renewable. Materials placed on reserve may be borrowed overnight, and in some cases cannot be renewed. Information Center hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hall passes are required and must be presented at the desk and the student must sign in immediately upon arrival. A library card is not required, but barcoded student ID cards simplify checkout of material.

**Overdue and Lost Materials**: Overdue notices are sent to the student through his/her home station teacher. If the material is not returned, a letter will be sent home; if material continues to be overdue, the report card will be withheld and, for graduating seniors, the diploma will be withheld. Borrowing privileges are denied while an overdue obligation exists. No fines are charged for overdue materials, but lost material must be paid for. The charge for a lost book is the full replacement price of the book. The charge for lost AV materials is the current full price of the material. Lost magazines and pamphlets are $4.00 each.

**Borrowing Periodicals**: Back issues of magazines are available for loan. To request a magazine, fill out a Magazine Request slip available at the circulation desk, and leave slips in the magazine box at the desk. Magazines will be retrieved at least once per day. Students may call for magazines later in the day or the next day. Requested magazines will be kept at the circulation desk for two days before returning them to storage.

Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature is located in the Reference section. It is especially useful when searching for magazine articles that are not available online. Online access to magazines is available through EBSCOhost, GaleNet, and SIRs.

**Returning Materials**: A Book Return slot is located in the front of the circulation desk for the return of all materials.

Mrs. P. Massey, School Library Media Specialist 908-754-4620 x 286
 * Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance! **