Teachers’ Guide to
Cook Memorial Public Library District

In recent years the school population of the area served by this library has increased dramatically. Along with this demographic change, school curricula and the means of implementing new approaches to learning have also been adopted. These events have put great demand on the children’s collection of Cook Memorial Public Library, which serves young people through 8th grade. In order to help meet needs of schools fairly and efficiently, the following policies and procedures have been initiated.

Teacher Cards

Privileges relating to a teacher card may be obtained after completing an application signed by one’s principal or director and sending it to Cook Memorial Public Library, c/o the Children’s Department. Once a teacher card has been created, it will be kept on file at the Children’s Department reference desk until a teacher leaves his or her school’s employment. It is renewed each fall with all the other teacher cards of a school, according to the signature of the school’s principal.

Teachers with CMPL cards may request that Children’s Department librarians select available library materials for curriculum, to be put in tote bags for pickup at the Children’s Department reference desk or circulation desk of Evergreen Interim Library or Bookmobile.  Materials may also be delivered or picked up by Library van or Bookmobile on pre-approved routes.

Teacher cards are intended for checkout of classroom materials only. Teacher cards allow for books and audio materials (CDs, cassettes, PlayAways, CD or cassette audiobooks, and CD or cassette kits) to be checked out to the school for 6 weeks. Videos and DVDs have a circulation period of 2 weeks; CD ROMs check out for 3 weeks.  (At time of checkout only, teachers may request that the circulation period be extended for videos, DVDs, and CD ROMs not relating to a current holiday and not of a popular nature. However, feature films may be checked out only for 1 week on your personal card. ) Circulation periods for magazines and holiday items in season are the same for all patrons---1 week. Items may not be renewed and do not incur late fees. Any library materials lost or heavily damaged are to be paid for.

Teacher or school card numbers will be emailed or mailed to teachers as soon as possible after cards are created.  Card numbers may be used to place holds on CMPL materials or requests for interlibrary loans , access CMPL subscription online databases, or see status of items on hold or checked out.

School Loans

The Children’s Department offers school loans to teachers in the Cook Memorial Public Library District to supplement resources available in the school libraries. A minimum of 3 working days notice should be given when requesting library materials.  Requests may be made in person, by phone (847-362-2352, ext. 773), by fax (847-362-2354/Attn: Children’s Department), or via the homepage. We reserve the right to limit the number of items loaned, based on the availability of materials and the number of similar, concurrent requests. Multiple copies of a single book title and/or interlibrary loans of multiple copies of a single title loaned to teachers usually may not total more than 3 volumes.

All teacher materials, including teacher tote bags, are to be turned in at the circulation desk of Cook Memorial Public Library, Evergreen Interim Library, or Bookmobile, or at a school office for pickup by van or Bookmobile.

Feedback about materials selected for school loans is encouraged and may be given in person, by phone, or online.

Assignment Alerts

Teachers are encouraged to speak with us or fax or email a copy of impending assignments. Advance notice of assignments will help insure students’ access to materials on specific subjects. Sometimes we may need to set materials aside to be (1) checked out with a one-week circulation period or (2) used only in the library.

Interlibrary Loans (ILLs)

If an item is needed that is not owned by this library, usually it can be obtained via interlibrary loan. Because this transaction may take a bit of time, we ask that teachers promptly pick up items that have arrived from a lending library. (Due dates from loaning libraries are to be honored by all patrons.) If an item has not been picked up by a teacher within 7 days after initial notification, it may be sent back to the loaning library without additional notice.

There is a limit of 10 ILL requests per patron in process at any time. It is the teacher’s responsibility to keep track of how many ILL requests are on hold and checked out.

School Visits

Teachers are encouraged to arrange for a librarian to visit their classrooms. To develop into lifetime readers, children need to see that the library is a source of continuing education and recreation. Children’s Department staff members are available to give booktalks or author talks and to supplement a chosen theme with additional materials. It is a good idea to give 2 weeks notice because (1) materials may have to be put on hold or borrowed via ILL and (2) staff availability varies.

Parent/Teacher Collection

The Children’s Department has an extensive, high-quality collection of books for parents and teachers that can be very helpful. There are books dealing with such topics as special needs, multiculturalism, crafts, Shakespeare, the Oregon Trail, author studies, and more. We are constantly enlarging our collection of reference sources and invite you to browse the shelves and/or request a short tour.

Because we share a mutual goal of bringing books and children together, it is important to us that our service to the schools be nothing less than excellent. If you have questions concerning our teacher policies or suggestions for improving our services, please speak with us. (Our phone number is 847-362-2352, ext. 773.)

Updated 07/28/07