LIBRARY HOURS: The library is open daily from 7:45 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Students wishing to use the library before school must obtain a pass from the librarian one day prior to the desired visit date. After school, no pass is required. All students may come to the library after school for a quick visit. At "hall sweeps time," students must stay in the library until 4:00, when they will be escorted to the front doors by the librarian. No exceptions!

LIBRARY FACTS: The BMS Library collection consists of over 15,912 items, including books, audio-visual materials, periodicals, and equipment. Thirty computers are Internet networked and available to students for research. The library seats 32 patrons on each side of the facility, accommodating from one to three classes simultaneously. A small, comfortable area for leisure reading is located near the circulation desk.

POLICIES:
Admission: Each student entering the library (without being part of a class) before and during school hours must have a pass and must sign in before tending to library business.Class passes should be returned to the sending teacher after each visit. After school, a pass is not required.

Circulation: Students are encouraged to use their student I.D. cards to ensure quick and accurate service. Students are allowed to check out up to four items at a time. Books are checked out for two weeks. Periodicals may be checked out for three days (5 days for 6th graders), and videos are due one week from checkout date. Playaways can be checked out for one week. Reference items will be checked out at the librarian's discretion for one overnight period at a time.

Accountability: Students are held responsible for all items they check out. Overdue items no longer result in a financial charge, but students are encouraged to turn items in on time out of consideration of others who wish to use them. Weekly bills and notices are sent to students whose accounts are blocked due to late/lost items.

Computer Usage: The Internet is to be used for school assignments only. Students have agreed to abide by the district's Acceptable Use Policy when signing and returning the insert in the Student Handbook. Playing games, checking personal email, random surfing of the Web, and inappropriate searches of any kind will result in loss of computer privileges. Any printing must be done with permission of the librarian or accompanying teacher.

Inter-Library Loan:  If students or teachers need resources the BMS Library does not own, items can be borrowed from other MISD campuses. By selecting ALL for the CAMPUS choice on the online catalog, one can check the holdings of other libraries. Use the suggestion box in the right-hand column or request an ILL form from the librarian. These items can be used for a two-week period and must be returned in perfect condition.

Book Fair:  The library holds a Scholastic Book Fair each semester. Profits from the book fair pay for the Lone Star Field Trip in May. Students making purchases are entered into daily drawings for free posters. A family event is held before or after school hours during each fair. The fall book fair is September 12-16. The family event will take place during Open House on September 15. The spring book fair date is March 26-30. Parent volunteers are welcome and needed.

Book Club: Students interested in joining the BMS Book Club will need to sign up on Club Sign Up Day. Members will read one book each semester and meet three times to discuss each book. The book club will meet after school. Meeting dates will be announced on the PA announcements, the library bulletin board, and the TV bulletin board.

Lone Star Reading Program:  Berry's library participates in the Lone Star Reading Program. There are 20 books on the list each year. Students who read five or more and pass short quizzes over them are eligible to attend a field trip to Celebration Station on May 14. Students reading 10 Lone Star books earn a pizza, salad, and drink buffet. Those who read 15 books receive a laser tag ticket in addition to these incentives. Students who pass quizzes over all 20 books earn all these prizes plus 50 tokens! Students have until the end of April to read the Lone Stars and take their quizzes. The Lone Star books for this year's list were generously funded by a a grant awarded to the BMS Library from MetroTex Association of Realtors.

Library Facebook Fan Page: The BMS Library has a Facebook fan page. You can click on the Facebook bear to locate the page. Find library updates and comments regarding current events and hot topics int he library. Be a friend of our library!

Box Tops for Education:  The library is working with the BMS PTA to collect Box Tops for Education. Each box top is worth 10 cents. We are challenging each student and staff member to bring 10 box tops, or $1 worth of box tops. If everyone meets this challenge, the school will earn over $900 to use for educational purposes. Box tops are collected in the library. Each person who meets their 10 box top challenge will earn a prize.

24-7 Access:  Students have unlimited access to the online catalog and excellent databases that provide age-appropriate, reliable, and safe information. See the librarian for username and password information necessary for home access.

http://www.mesquiteisd.org/library/berry

LIBRARY STAFF: The BMS Library is staffed with one full-time certified librarian, Mrs. Brenda Allen. In addition, eight 8th grade student aides conduct the majority of the circulation and shelving functions in the library. Questions and comments regarding the BMS library can be directed to ballen@mesquiteisd.org.