Library

The Bissonnet Campus library is open from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.

Both students and parents may check out books. Books are checked out for two weeks with a renewal possible.

Primary students may check out one book at a time,
Elementary may check out two at a time, and
Middle School and High School students two or more books at a time, depending on their needs.

Exceptions to the number of books may be made on a case-by-case basis.

The experience of checking out books and taking responsibility for the use and care of borrowed books is a valuable lesson. Most students take this responsibility seriously, and we trust parents will support their child’s efforts.

Overdue Books

The consequence for overdue books is that no books may be checked out until all late books are returned or paid for. When a book has not been returned on time, a note identifying the book first goes home with the student. If the book is not returned or acknowledged that it cannot be found, a note with the cost of the material goes home with the student. Lost or damaged books must be paid for with cash or a check made out to the Post Oak School. Library books are bound with materials designed for heavy use, so unfortunately replacements cannot be accepted.

Computer Use

There are several computers in the library for the students’ use. Before a student at Post Oak may use a computer, both the parents and student must sign and return the Responsible Use Policy (RUP) in Magnus.

No child may be in the library unless an adult is present. Either the librarian, assistant librarian, or a library volunteer will assist students with checking out books during library hours. Books may be returned to the book drop located in the circulation desk at any time.

Our parent section—housed in Post Oak’s Parenting Center—has many titles on subjects ranging from Montessori education to positive discipline, social skills, and child development topics. We welcome parent check-outs, which are two weeks with a renewal upon request.

Library Book Selection Policy

This selection policy has been developed to ensure consistency and objectivity in the selection and evaluation of resources for The Post Oak School library. It exists to assist in the development of a collection of materials that reflects the philosophy, goals and curriculum of The Post Oak School, and serves to meet the information needs of the school community.

Responsibility for Selection

Criteria for Evaluation and Selection

Before adding or removing any materials, we consider whether the materials in question demonstrate suitability and relevance to Montessori educational principles and curricula:

collectively adhere to authoritativeness, objectivity, and accuracy in content in order to serve as resources;
contain aesthetic, historical, or cultural significance of subject matter;
demonstrate clarity of presentation, timeliness, and the potential for permanence and versatility of purpose;
show literary quality and artistic merit, and are closely linked in subject and style to the level of the intended users;
take into consideration format, physical durability, and price;
are attractive, relevant, and free from racial or sexual stereotyping, to be reflective of our multicultural society;
include factors which accommodate ease of use by the students and their levels of maturity and developmental interest (focus should be placed on intended users);
add to the scope of available materials, in overall purpose and depth of coverage of content—though they may duplicate an existing item, they may contribute a unique or different perspective;
provide high interest appeal in order to help foster a love of reading.

Request for Reconsideration

The Post Oak School strives to offer students an expansive view of our world’s cultures and history, and of literature in a variety of styles and voices. We make every effort to ensure that the materials made available serve educational and developmental purposes and are appropriate for each age group and for our larger community. However, reasonable people may disagree with the choices or placement of material.

If a parent (or parents) has an objection to material in use by a class or the library, the first step is to bring the matter up with the classroom teacher or the librarian. That school staff member may be able to provide more information, or arrange an individual accommodation, to alleviate the concern.

If a direct discussion does not settle the issue, or if a parent feels the matter pertains to a larger group than the individual child or family, the next step is to file a Request for Reconsideration with the division director as appropriate for the level of the student. Reconsideration requests should be submitted to the librarian.

Cory Eckert

Librarian

Amy Radack

Assistant Librarian

Notes

The library accepts the donation of books and any other resources which are appropriate for its collection. These donations will be acknowledged and will be placed under appraisal.

Obsolete, damaged, or unused resources are removed on a regular basis as materials that are no longer relevant. These books will go to a library or shelter in need of them.

The Post Oak School supports the individual’s freedom to read and endorses the American Library Association’s Bill of Rights as it applies to this Montessori community.