American School of the Hague

What does the library do?

The mission of the library is to help students develop a lifelong love of reading and learning and become competent and ethical users of information as well as media-savvy, digital citizens, and to encourage them to become contributing members of the global community. We do this by offering students a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment for self-organized reading and learning during breaks, before, and after school, and through various after-school clubs. The instruction of information literacy skills throughout the year is coordinated by our Middle School Librarian and done in collaboration with classroom teachers of all the grade levels. We follow the AASL's Standards for the 21st-Century Learner. All current instructional units can be found on the MS Library's Moodle sites grade level links pages.

The library also provides students with a wide range of resources: books, magazines, audiobooks, DVDs, crafts, board games, an Online catalog, Online Subscription databases and encyclopedias, unit-specific online pathfinders, Skype, and iPad Apps. The online databases and encyclopedias are password protected - the access codes can be found in the student agenda and on InsideASH, under the MS Library website's "Access Codes" section.

The MS Library runs two clubs: the First Lego League and LEGO Robotics Club on Mondays, and a Gardening & Crafts Club on Fridays. For information about these clubs please go to the club links on the MS Library webpage or contact Michele Velthuizen mvelthuizen@ash.nl. A 7th/8th grade Book Club also meets in the MS Library on B Week Tuesdays after school. This club is run in conjunction with Emily Bridgham, Grade 7 LA teacher. Please contact her for further details: ebridgham@ash.nl.

On middle school social nights the MS Library is always open. We show movies, have a photo booth set up, and provide other fun activities for students.

Students

• 5 books/magazines/audio books for 3 weeks (or more, if you prove to be a reliable patron:-)
• Maximum 2 DVDs may be checked out on Fridays for the weekend - all DVDs are due back on the following Monday
• Record needs to be cleared (all items accounted for) before vacation checkouts may begin
• No checkout limit for vacations (books, magazines, audiobooks) if you have proven to be a reliable patron:-)

Parents

• 10 books/magazines/audio books for 3 weeks
• Maximum 2 DVDs may be checked out on Fridays for the weekend - all DVDs are due back the following Monday
• Record needs to be cleared (all items accounted for) before vacation checkouts may begin
• No checkout limit for vacations (books, magazines, audiobooks)

Staff

• No checkout limit during academic year
• Record needs to be cleared (all items accounted for) before vacation checkouts may begin
• No checkout limit for vacations (books, magazines, audiobooks)

According to the Middle School Laptop Policy, students may only use their laptops for school work. For this reason, laptops are not permitted in the library during breaks, before, or after school. During breaks please leave your laptops in your lockers.

If you must use your laptop for an assignment we will give you permission to work in the small conference room independently.

The four MS Library laptops in the main area of the library are for catalog search only. The two extra laptops, desktop, and iPads in the small conference room are for instructional use and will used during research units in the Library.

The Middle School Computer Use Policy applies to all computers, laptops, and iPads in the library:

1. School computers are for school activities
2. Protect your laptops/school computers from harm
3. Follow all directions...unless those directions violate Rule #2

Did you know that we have books on CDs and on Playaways? Audiobooks on CDs are great for long family drives. You can also listen to them on your computer or on one of our Walkmen which can be checked out. Playaways are iPod like devices that you can hang around your neck. Small and light, they're great when you just want to chill on your own, when you're bored while waiting for something (think doctor's or dentist's waiting rooms), or when you're exercising. Audiobooks can be checked out from the library just like books.

Students, parents and staff are encouraged to access the numerous Online resources the libraries subscribe to. These databases and encyclopedias are often used for student research assignments but are also useful for homework and other projects.  We have a wide range of resources with various reading levels for multi-age groups, including resources for adults and professional development.

The access codes to all the databases are available on the yellow box to the right. You need to be logged into Inside ASH to see the codes.

If you'd like to know the status of a book on order click on this link:
Current order list

GoodReads.com is a social networking site where you can share what you're reading with your classmates, teachers, friends, and family. You can create a reading list that tracks the books you've read, a "To Read" list, as well as a list of what you're currently reading. You can also rate books and post book reviews. This is purely a social networking site focused on books.

You need to officially be 13 to register on your own. If you are not, ask you parent(s) to help you register. Make sure you don't give any personal information such as your full name, your real age, or information about where you live (keep it vague, such as The Netherlands). If you decide to post an image, use sepia in Photo Booth or, better yet, use clip art or an avatar instead of a personal photo.

For information about our FIRST LEGO League Robotics Club click here