Policies

Media Center Use Policies | Circulation Policies | Selection Policies

Media Center Use Policies

The Middle/Upper School Media Center is intended as a place for study, research and reading, and also as a gathering place and an inviting space for rest and recreation. Considerate and mature behavior is expected of all students; disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

What IS permitted in the media center:

  • Quiet conversation
  • Group discussions
  • Laptop use
  • Study and research
  • Homework and tutoring
  • Both assigned and leisure reading
  • Listening to music with headphones
  • Card games
  • Board games (please put away materials when you leave the media center)
  • Video games, unless they become disruptive or violate the Technology Acceptable Use Policy. Please use headphones if the video game you are playing makes noise.
  • Bottled water only in the library itself; food and drink are permitted at the tables in the lobby.
  • Study carrels and the reading room can be used by any student at any time unless previously reserved by someone else.

What is NOT permitted in the media center:

  • Talking that is so loud as to be disruptive to others
  • Running
  • Throwing
  • Pushing, hitting, etc., even in fun
  • Sitting on one another’s laps
  • Moving any of the tables (students may move the chairs, but are expected to put them back where they found them)
  • Listening to music without headphones
  • Talking on or taking pictures with cell phones; students are permitted to make cell phone calls or take pictures with their phones in the lobby area only.
  • Any deliberate damage to library materials, furniture, shelves or displays. If there is accidental damage, please notify a library staff member so that repairs can be made.

Reminders: the Dress Code, the Technology Acceptable Use Policy, the Honor Code and all other rules and expectations of the Academy are in effect in the Media Center at all times, as they are everywhere on campus. Library staff members and library volunteers have the authority to correct any unacceptable behavior that they witness.

Circulation Policies

  • All members of the Athens Academy community have borrowing privileges at the Middle/Upper School Media Center. Library cards are kept in a card file at the circulation desk, and students are permitted to check out their own materials.
  • Books and audiobooks check out for three weeks with two renewals unless there is a hold on the item.
  • DVDs, videos and CDs check out for one week with one renewal unless there is a hold on the item.
  • All but the most recent issue of a magazine may be checked out. Back issues (usually the past two years) are stored in the Reading Room.
  • Reference books may be checked out at the end of the school day and must be returned before class the following day. A reference book that is checked out on Friday should be returned first thing Monday.
  • Students may check out five items at a time.
  • Students are encouraged to return materials promptly, but do not incur overdue fines. Overdue reminders are sent by email to students in grades 7 -12, and to the homeroom teachers of students in grades 5 and 6. If an item is not returned after three reminders, a bill for the replacement cost of the item will be sent to the parents.
  • Materials that are lost are damaged beyond repair will be billed to the parents.
  • R-rated movies are kept in the library workroom and will not be checked out to anyone under the age of 17.
  • Library staff members and teachers will offer advice to students on the appropriateness of a book or movie for their grade level, but parental guidance is assumed, and parental authority over student reading and viewing choices is absolute.

Selection Policies

Our current selection policy is available for your review in the Media Center. A revised selection policy will be available on this website soon.