Print Resources

 

Print Resources

The Media Center’s print resources consist of approximately 14,000 books, 34 magazine subscriptions and 8 newspaper subscriptions.  Information about each follows below.

Books

Students may borrow up to 3 books for a period of 2 weeks.  Books may be renewed at the end of that period. 

Please remember that borrowing books is a privilege.   Borrowing privileges will be suspended if a book is overdue or if it is damaged.  Damaged or lost books must be paid for:  students may purchase a replacement copy or pay the Media Specialist for the cost of the book (a receipt will be provided).

Books are divided into several different categories.  This determines how they are used and where they are located.

The Non-Fiction Collection:  This is the largest category of books.  They are available for borrowing for a period of two weeks and may be renewed for another 2 weeks.  These books are arranged according to the Dewey Decimal system. The Dewey Decimal system is a way of organizing human knowledge in a way that makes it easily retrievable.  Non-fiction books are organized into 10 “classes” or categories, each divided into ten secondary classes or subcategories, each having ten subdivisions of its own.  Each book is assigned a “call number” – a location code – that helps you to find it. 

000 – Computer science, information, and general works

100 – Philosophy and psychology

200 – Religion

300 – Social sciences

400 – Languages

500 – Science

600 – Technology applied science

700 – Arts and recreation

800 – Literature

900 – History and geography

The Non-Fiction collection is where you will go when your teacher requires print resources for research papers in English, History and other classes.  Non-fiction book call numbers will begin with numbers, never letters.

The Fiction Collection:  The Media Center has a wide selection of fiction books, both hard cover and paperback, ranging from current popular novels to short story collections.  They are located in the “Smart Board area” and can be borrowed for 2 weeks, with renewal for another 2 weeks.  Fiction books are organized alphabetically by the first 3 letters of the author’s last name.  Fiction book call numbers will begin with the prefixes FIC or PB FIC.

The Reserve Collection:  This collection contains books that are put “on reserve” by teachers when many students need to use the same few books at the same time.  Reserve books are signed out by students at the circulation desk and are limited to use within the Media Center during the period for which they are signed out.  Students wishing to use reserve books should come and sign them out at the start of the period so as to have the entire period to use them.  Reserve books must be handed in at the end of the period.  To access the Reserve Collection, please ask at the Circulation Desk.  The call numbers of books in the Reserve Collection will begin with the prefixes OFF. RES. or LIT. RES.

The Reference Collection:  This collection contains books – such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases and almanacs – that are not normally read from cover to cover like a textbook or a fiction novel.  These books contain short entries on a wide variety of topics.  For this reason, they are not loaned out; use is limited to the Media Center.  Reference books are located on the “Outer Perimeter” of the Media Center – along the outer walls.  Reference book call numbers will begin with the prefix “REF.” 

The Biography Collection:  These books contain biographical information about notable individuals.  They are found in the shelves surrounding the computer area at the center of the Media Center.  Biography call numbers will begin with a “B.” 

How to Locate a Book:

• Do a title, author or keyword search in the online catalog (ask for help if you are uncertain how to use the catalog).
• Write down the book’s call number.
• Remember that certain call numbers have prefixes that will help you determine where the book is located.  “REF” call numbers are located along the outer perimeter; “FIC” or “PB FIC” call numbers are located in the fiction area by the Smart Board; “B” call numbers are located by the computers.  Call numbers that begin with numbers rather than letters are located in the non-fiction “stacks” (the shelves opposite the circulation desk). 
• Using the Dewey Decimal system, locate books in numerical and then alphabetical order. 

If you are still having trouble locating a book – please ask for help! 

Magazines

Magazines are located behind the circulation desk and must be signed out.  They are used only in the library and must be returned at the end of the period.  Magazines are a great source of current news, information and pictures.  Back issues are kept for 3 years and are also available for check-out.  Our current list of magazines includes:

Artist Magazine                                              

Bon Appetit

Booklist

Business Week

Chemical Education

Consumer Reports

Discover

Downbeat

Education Week

Forbes

Health

Inc.

Instrumentalist

Martha Stewart Living

Motor Trend

National Geographic

New Jersey Monthly

Newsweek

Oprah

PC Magazine

Popular Mechanics

People

Popular Photography

RC Driver

Scientific American

Seventeen

Smithsonian

Spin

Sports Illustrated

Time

US News & World Report

Vogue

Newspapers

The current day’s newspapers are available by the main entrance.  Back issues are kept for one week behind the circulation desk. Issues older than one week are recycled or given to teachers or students for school purposes.  Please feel free to ask for them.

As a courtesy to our students and staff, photocopies of the daily New York Times crossword puzzle are available for pick-up, beginning 4th period. 

Present newspaper holdings include:

The Herald News

The New York Times

The Record

Suburban Trends

USA Today

Wall Street Journal

Wayne Today