Library

AJH Library Media Center

2013 Sequoyah Winner Announced

The winner of the 2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Award is Jordan Sonnenblick for After Ever After.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Altus Junior High Library Media Center is to assist students in the development of the skills necessary for independent, lifelong learning and to realize the vast educational experiences, opportunities, and enjoyment that reading offers.

Promote Reading at Home

Websites

How to Raise a Reader

TV vs. Books

Recommended Reading Lists

YALSA Teens Top Ten

For More Books Like The Hunger Games

Library Information and Policies

Hours of Operation

The library is open when the students enter the building at 7:53 a.m. and closes at 3:15 p.m.. Students may visit the library during the day when allowed by the classroom teacher. They are not allowed in the library between classes because it often makes them tardy for the next class. Students must have a signed agenda book to access the library. Students may also visit the library after school until 3:15. Arrangements can be made with Mrs. Gipson if students need additional time in the library to complete research projects or other assigned work.

Check-Out Policy

Students may check out two books at a time for a 30 day period. Book Club members may check out three books at a time. Exceptions are occasionally made for students needing additional books for research assignments or other projects.

Overdue Book Policy

Our library does not assess late fees. After a book becomes overdue, the student’s check-out privileges are suspended until the overdue book(s) is returned or paid for. Overdue notices will be sent to the reading teachers on a weekly basis. If the book is not returned or payment has not been made for the book after three overdue notices, the students will be assigned three days of detention. If the book (s) is not returned after detention is served, the punishment may be decided by the principals.

Please remember that when a student checks out a book, he/she is responsible for the book(s). If a book is lost or damaged beyond repair, the student must pay for the book. Fines may be charged for damages such as missing labels, torn pages, scribbled pages, etc. If helpful, students may make payments on lost or damaged books until the full amount is received. Please see Mrs. Gipson to make these arrangements.

Library Activities

Book Clubs

AJH students may choose to participate in the 7th grade or 8th grade book clubs. These clubs read and discuss various genres of books selected by the librarian. The library supplies copies of these books for book club members, until the copies run out. The students meet monthly to discuss the books while enjoying a brown bag lunch together. Book Club members may also choose to assist with the Scholastic Book Fair and other activities throughout the year to promote reading at AJH.

The book clubs have dismissed for the year. Please continue reading throughout the summer!

Sequoyah Challenge

Students may also participate in the Sequoyah Reading challenge. This challenge involves reading the books nominated for the Oklahoma Intermediate Sequoyah Book Award. This award is one of few book awards selected by students. Students reading at least three of the nominated books receive the honor of voting for the year’s winning book. These students are recognized with awards and treats. Students reading eight or more of the nominated books are treated to a pizza party. For more information on this award, or to see this year’s Intermediate List, click on the link above to see the official website.

Research Resources

Students may use the state provided databases for research purposes. They must have the password and ID they received from the library in order to access them. These databases offer easily retrievable full-text articles and images from thousands of newspapers, magazines, online sources, reference sources, and U.S. Government documents. They have been carefully selected for educational content, interest, and age-appropriateness.

http://search.epnet.com/login.asp http://k8.eb.com/comptons

Students will need to use the User ID and Passwords you received from the library.

Meet the Staff

Rosemary Gipson, Librarian

This is Mrs. Gipson’s 27th year in education. During this time she has taught elementary migrant students in reading and language arts at Olustee, OK, for four years. She also tauaght first grade at L. Mendel Rivers Elementary for eight years, third grade at Washington Elementary for one year, fifth grade reading, writing, and language arts at Altus Intermediate School for three years, fifth grade math and art at Roosevelt Elementary for one year, and K-12 library students at Navajo for two years. She served as the Learning Resources Center director at WOSC for two years, and she has taught Altus Junior High students for six years.

She graduated from Eldorado High School in 1981 and then attended college at WOSC and SWOSU. After 12 years of teaching in the regular classroom, she returned to SWOSU and completed a Master’s Degree in Education and Library Media Specialist certification.

Mrs. Gipson and her husband, Randy, have three sons from the ages of 22 – 27. Trent Harvick is a student at UCO in Edmond. He is studying to become a physical therapist. Chase Harvick just completed a degree from OU in International and Area Studies. He is currently working for OETA (Oklahoma Educational Television Authority) in Oklahoma City. Terance Gipson is currently employed as a diesel mechanic and is living near Moore, OK. Other members of the family are Miss Kitty, a calico cat, and Stanley, a gray-striped kitten that just joined the family in December.

Mrs. Gipson loves the literature and the access to information that the library provides. She hopes to motivate students to be information seekers and to experience the world through reading. Reading provides a way to be education and entertained at the same time! Mrs. Gipson also enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, decorating her home, working in the yard, teaching AJH students, scrapbooking, shopping, and many other things!

Tami Butler, Library Assistant

This will be Tami’s first year at AJH. She has worked for 19 years in the newspaper industry and 17 years at a photography studio. She volunteered at the Jane Brooks’ School for the Deaf in Chickasha and for the Special Olympics.

Her husband is Kirk Butler. He is employed by Dr. Pepper. They have two daughters, Ashley and Whitney, and one grandson, Ty.

Welcome to Altus Junior High