Library

Promoting Literacy & Learning

Like all tools, information can be used for countless purposes and ends. In our library, we teach not only fluency in information and instructional technologies, but also stress the responsibility and stewardship we are called to as Christians.

Goals

• Promote literacy and encourage leisure use of worthwhile materials
• Provide services, resources, and technologies in support of the curriculum
• Provide guidance in the use of information and instructional technologies
• Maintain and expand the existing collection of print and non-print materials

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Lower School FAQs

• How long is the loan period for books?

  Materials are loaned for two weeks, but they may be renewed as long as the student is still reading the book.

• What are the fines for late or lost books?

  There are no fines for late books. Students are expected to pay for lost and damaged materials.

• Where do students return books?

  Returned books are scanned and then placed on the return cart.

• How do students know if they have an overdue book?

  Overdue notes are printed each week and sent home in Friday folders. However, if the book is missing more than a month the parent is notified via email.

Lower School Resources

• Guided Reading & Reading Games: a great resource for the developing reader
• Starfall (SK-2): a free resource dedicated to teaching children to read using phonics

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Middle & Upper School FAQs

• When is the library open?

  The library is open to middle and upper school students before school (7:30–7:55 a.m. each day) and after school (3:00–3:30 p.m., Tuesday–Friday). The librarian is available to assist students during those hours. During the day, the library is scheduled to be used by lower, middle, or upper school classes.

• How long is the loan period for books?

  General circulation materials are loaned for three weeks and may be renewed provided there is not a demand for that particular title.

• What are the fines for late or lost books?

  There are no fines for late books. Students are expected to pay for lost and damaged materials. Students will be put on the hold exam list until a book is returned or paid.

• Where do students return books?

  A book drop is located at the library front desk.

• How do students know if they have an overdue book?

  The librarian may email students late notices, and homeroom or English teachers may receive notices to hand to students.

• Do students need passwords for any of the databases?
  • Students do not need a password to access any of the databases while on campus.
  • Students do need a password to access the databases from any other location.
  • A list of these passwords is available in the library at the front desk and will be provided to students during library orientation.
  • Students must set up an account in order to access the EBSCO host eBooks while off campus. This account must be set up at Harding Academy.

• May students use the copy machines?

  Students may use the copy machines at $.10 per copy.

Upper School Resources

Evaluating Webpages: a tutorial for webpage evaluation provided by UC Berkeley

Government Documents: provides free, public online access to full-text official federal information

Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture: a definitive and comprehensive reference work on the Volunteer State cosponsored by the University of Tennessee Press and the Tennessee Historical Society

Volunteer Voices: a grant project funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services that allows K-12 educators and students free online access to a variety of primary, or first hand, sources related to Tennessee’s history, culture, government, and industry

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Databases

• Alexandria Database
• ABC-CLIO Social Studies Database: contains four databases for history research—American History, World History, Ancient and Medieval History, and World History: Modern
• Black Freedom Struggle in the United States: A Selection of Primary Sources: a curated collection of primary source documents from specific time periods in U.S. history marked by the oppression African Americans have faced on the road to freedom
• Bloom’s Literature: a Facts on File database providing access to scholarly articles on authors and major literary works
• EBSCOhost eBook Collection: a database of commercially published eBooks accessible through the Harding Academy Catalog or directly through EBSCOhost (Off-campus access requires an individual login that must be set up at school; see a librarian for details.)
• Gale Databases: over 37 databases provides information on many subjects including over 5000 full-text journals & major newspapers
• Heritage Quest Online: a unique and growing collection of research materials for genealogists and historians
• Social Issues Researcher: a general reference database containing full-text articles exploring social, scientific, health, historic, economic, political, and global issues
• Tennessee Electronic Library: a virtual library that provides access to thousands of resources including Student Resources in Context, Opposing Viewpoints in Context, and World Book Online

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Contacts