Library Manual
Click on the Below Headings To Be Taken To The Policy
Rooted in the Dominican tradition, we challenge young women to be independent thinkers, relentless truth-seekers, and confident, compassionate leaders.
The goals of the library:
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To provide resources and instructional materials for students to access, evaluate, and use information
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To maintain a well-balanced collection appropriate to the needs of the school
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To ensure a welcoming environment
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To foster a love of reading that will create lifelong readers
Standard 1: Information Literacy
Access information efficiently and effectively to inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge through the research process
Standard 2: Media Literacy
Analyze, evaluate, create, and communicate using a variety of objective forms responsibly, including, but not limited to, print, visual, audio, interactive, and digital formats (Illinois Public Act102-0055)
Standard 3: Digital Literacy
Understand the impact of an online presence to yourself and others while maintaining privacy and security practices
Standard 4: Individual Literacy
Promote the appreciation of literature and its impact on an individual as a foundation of lifelong learning, the development of empathy, and an appreciation for the diverse, vibrant world in which we live
Books may be taken out for one month. There is no late book fee. Books are the property of Regina Dominican High School and we work on the honor code that books taken out will be returned so another user may also enjoy the book. Books can be renewed by emailing Mrs. Houston at khouston@rdpanthers.org.
Please let Mrs. Houston know if you lost a book or the book is damaged by emailing Mrs. Houston at khouston@rdpanthers.org.
Currently there are three desktop computers for student use. The printer cannot handle large amounts, so please be mindful of images and documents you want to print out. If the computer or printer isn't working, email Mrs. Houston at khouston@rdpanthers.org
The Regina Dominican Library Website contains a multitude of information and resources including:
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Library Catalogue of purchased books that can be accessed by the Regina community. User Name: Regina Dominican; No password needed
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eBooks through eReadIllinois with Log In Info: rdhs first initial last name (no spaces; example: rdhsrdominican).
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eBooks through Indi Illinois. No log in needed.
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Two paid subscription databases: Log In Information for Both:
At School Password: wilm74194 and at home password: panthers -
The annual Abe Lincoln Book Challenge sponsored by the Association of Illinois of School Librarians is available for students. Students read 4 books by the chosen list, write a book review on the Regina library webpage, and can vote in the election for their favorite read.
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Project Guides for specific academic courses at Regina Dominican can be accessed on the library website. Teachers provide the assignment and resources are compiled in one place for students.
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The Library Book Club also meets once a month and is open to any Regina Dominican community member.
Library materials are circulated using the automation program Library World. Students may access the website from any computer at school or from home. The link is found here. The library user name is Regina Dominican. No password necessary.
Regina’s Library Resource Center strives to support the curriculum and the needs of all students. The Regina community is strongly encouraged to take an active role in purchases. Requests for purchases are welcome. Complete the Book Request Form with your request.
The needs of the Regina Dominican High School Library Resource Center are based on knowledge of the curriculum and of the existing collection. Regina’s library strives to provide patrons with materials that will enrich and support the educational program of the school.
It is the responsibility of the Library Resource Center to provide a wide range of materials on different levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and representing different points of view.
Materials will not be excluded because of race, nationality, religion, or political views of the writer. The inclusion of any item in a collection does not necessarily mean that the LRC or school advocates or endorses the contents of that item.
The LRC collection provides materials and resources that are consistent with the mission of the school and the principles of intellectual freedom outlined in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and reflected in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights (rev. 2019)
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfilment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
The following areas provide the basis for considering the merit of material selected for the library’s collection: the intellectual content of the material, the mission of the school, and the characteristics of the users. In selecting the materials, the following criteria are considered:
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Literary merit
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Support of curriculum and educational goals
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Favorable reviews found in standard selection sources (Library Journal, School Library Journal, American Library Association, Professional library blogs or resources.
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Reputation and significance of author, illustrator, or publisher
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Timeliness of material
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Contribution to the diversity of the collection
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Appeal to the community
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Amount of material on subject already owned by the library
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Price, format, and physical durability.
No materials shall be removed from the collection on the basis of the author’s race, ethnicity, biography, or beliefs. Materials that contain controversial views are evaluated as entire works within the broader context of the library collection.
The LRC supports the ALA Bill of Rights and the Catholic Library Association’s Statement of Intellectual Freedom for Schools and College Libraries:
“Recognizing that the school library assists and supports the religious, intellectual, ethical, cultural, and social development of students, the Catholic Library Association endorses the right of the library to provide a comprehensive collection of materials which extend and deepen this development consistent with the mission of the school and which give access to ideas essential to freedom of thought and inquiry.”
All questions or challenges regarding the merit of materials is directed to the Lead of Library Services. Challenges will be fully reviewed by administrators and the Lead of Library Services according to the selection criteria described in this document and may result in retention, removal, or relocation of the item(s). During the review process, the challenged materials will remain available.
Once a complaint has been lodged in writing, the administration will be informed and the library lead will send a form letter to the individual lodging the complaint that will include the policies related to selection, challenged materials, censorship and a Request for Reconsideration of Library Material Form.
The administration and library lead will consider the validity of the challenge within one month of the Reconsideration Request Form has been submitted. If the administration deems it necessary, a selection of a Library Resource Committee of faculty will weigh in with their decision to present to the Administrative Team using a Checklist. Once a decision has been made, the lead librarian will share the decision with the petitioner.
Weeding is a process by which materials no longer useful are removed from the library collection. Weeding should be carried out periodically throughout the year if the library collection is to be kept up to date.
Types of materials which should be regularly weeded form the school library are:
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Items in such poor physical condition that the readers cannot use them.
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Sources which contain material that is outdated or no longer true. This applies particularly to materials in science, or social studies, especially about other lands and people. The copyright date is a great help in evaluating this type of material, though not the only factor to be considered.
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Books that have been replaced by new, revised editions.
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Materials which are not suitable for the readers using the collection.
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Items which are duplicated of books once popular, but seldom used.
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Dated media equipment.