Media Center Resources

Mission

The mission of the school library is to build a community of independent life-long readers and learners by fostering the spirit of curiosity and choice, by teaching the skills to think critically and creatively, and by providing access to a well-managed, high-quality collection of resources that meet academic and personal needs.


Collection Development
 

Purchases for school library materials are based upon:

  • Support for curriculum 
  • Student/staff requests - professional reviews are checked for appropriateness of the materials for the grade level
  • Weeding items that are deemed outdated or not used by patrons to make space for new items
  • Reviews from professional organizations are used to sort for age/grade level recommendations and summaries/topics that the material covers


Parent Engagement and Controls

Parent engagement is important for Success For All.   All parents have significant influence over what their children read or watch when enrolled in Grand Haven Area Public Schools. Here are some ways to engage with children for your consideration.

  • You are your child's most important teacher. Talk to your child about what they read and watch. Help them process information with you. 
  • Parents can access the External LinkDestiny card catalog to see what books are in the library. Click on the school library of choice, and then click on Catalog near the top left to search for books. No password is needed.

  • Parents can access the Destiny card catalog to see what their child has checked out. A child’s password is needed. 

  • Parents can request a weekly email with the titles their child has checked out.

  • Parents can request that specific titles are not checked out to their children. Contact your child's school librarian with those titles.

  • Parents can talk with school librarians and teachers and express preferences for the types of books they want their children to read. 

  • Parents are encouraged to use books as a way to discuss sensitive topics to teach your family’s values and behavior.

  • Limit screen time, check your child's devices and have children plugin at an established time in a common area that is not the child's bedroom.

Further questions may be directed to your school's librarian or principal.
 
 

Online Databases and Resources        

Online Encyclopedias

External LinkGrolier Online
External LinkGrolier Online for Elementary

External LinkProQuest Databases
External LinkCulturegrams
External LinkOpposing Viewpoints in Context
External LinkBiography in Context
External LinkUXL Encyclopedia of World Mythology


External LinkGale Databases

  • Global Issues in Context
  • LitFinder for Schools
  • Gale Virtual Reference Library

External LinkInfotrac - Secondary students
External LinkInfotrac - Middle and Elementary students


External LinkJSTOR
External LinkChronicle Career Library - User name and password available at your media center
External LinkDr. Kit - career planning


External LinkMichigan e-Library (MEL)< >
External LinkWilson Select Plus - Magazine index - requires MI ID card or driver's license # for home access
External LinkMEL Databases by Subject - requires MI ID card or driver's license # for home access
External Linknet Library

External Link Kids Infobits - requires MI ID card or driver's license # for home access


External LinkEnchanted Learning - User name and password available at your media center

External LinkFacts for Me - User name and password available at your media center


Bibliography Resources

External LinkEasybib.com
External LinkKnightCite Citation Service from Calvin College



External LinkACT Online Prep


External LinkLiving Green and Early Peoples - User name and password available at your media center


External LinkMEDIANET - REMC7 Ordering - order REMC videos and streaming videos here - check with your media center for your user name and password
External LinkERIC
External LinkAwesome Library
External LinkMichigan Virtual University
External LinkOAISD
External LinkBig6