SCPA'S LIBRARY

Centrally located on campus, the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts Library provides the resources, services and facilities for research and study. Our 25 computer stations have Internet access. In addition the library has a gallery with ever-changing student exhibits and shows.    

The primary function of the SCPA Library/Media Center is service. Services to SCPA students and teachers include the selection of materials which support and enrich the curriculum; instruction in the use and evaluation of the Library/Media Center; Library/Media Center and internet resources; and Reader's Advisory. All aspects of the Library/Media Center operations are directed towards these ends. Our goal is to provide a pleasant environment where students and staff will find materials to meet their academic needs and to build a lifelong interest in reading and libraries.

With well over 26,000 books covering all subject areas, San Diego SCPA Library also has a strong emphasis on the arts.

SCPA's Electronic Catalog - search for books, magazines, and other sources available in the SCPA library

• Textbooks Issuance: Textbooks are issued through the Library/Media Center directly to students, and students are responsible for the specific bar code numbers issued to them. If books are stolen, lost, or damaged, students to whom the books are issued are responsible. Students should NOT leave their textbooks in the classroom.
• Students must have a school I.D. card in order to check out textbooks.
• Classes are scheduled in the Library/Media Center fall semester for student textbook issuance and throughout the year as needed. All textbooks are bar-coded and will be issued to students electronically by scanning a student's individual bar-code number printed on the identification card.
• Teachers need to make arrangements with the Library Technician for class sets of novels or textbooks.
• Care of Textbooks: All textbooks, except paperbacks, should be covered. Covers are available in the Library/Media Center or students can make their own. Students' names should be written in ink on the inside cover of the book.
• Textbook Return: Students must return the specific books which were issued to them on or before the last day of the school year. Textbooks should be returned to the Library/Media Center when students no longer need them. All textbook and library records must be cleared at the end of the school year.

• Students must have a student identification card to check out books.
• Atlases, dictionaries, current encyclopedias and other general reference books do not
  circulate. There are approximately 26,000 check-out titles.
• Books are issued to students for twenty-one (21) days. Books may be renewed for an
  additional twenty-one (21) day period providing there is no waiting list. Students may
  have as many as five (5) library books checked out on their identification card.
• Overdue books are fined at five cents (5¢) per school day. The automated circulation
  system will compute the fine. This fine will remain on student’s record until cleared. There is an over-the-summer charge of $5.00 per item.
  
• Although there is no definite circulation period for faculty and staff, you are encouraged
  to return materials you are no longer using.
• At the request of a faculty member, books and other resource materials related to a unit of study will be removed from the circulating collection and placed on a reserve shelf for
  Library/Media Center use or overnight circulation.

• There is a laminating machine, paper cutter and letter stencils in the Library/Media Center Textbook/Workroom available for teacher use. Please do not send students.
• AV equipment may be checked out from the Media Production Center for class use. Please allow the Media Production Staff three (3) days notice for equipment requests. Bulbs are available in the Textbook Room from the Library Technician and from the Media Production Center.
• A Conference Room is in the rear of the Library/Media Center for special meetings or testing. Sign-up is on a clipboard by the Conference Room entrance. Students are to be supervised in this room.
• The Library/Media Center is for all of us. The Library/Media Center staff welcomes student and faculty recommendations for “possible purchase.” We encourage student work in our gallery. Sign up with the librarian for display time. The facility can also be reserved for after school events and meetings. Remember the Library/Media Center in your plans.

• To schedule classes in the Library/Media Center for research or recreational reading, please make arrangements at least 24 hours in advance. When making the reservation, please give the librarian an idea of the area in which students will be working so that they can make advance preparations for the class and reserve special materials, if necessary. The librarian will provide instruction for students as requested.
• The librarian is also a certificated teacher and will help you create the Library/Media Center component of your lessons.
• While the class in the Library/Media Center, the classroom teacher is responsible for discipline and is expected to remain with her/his class at all times.

• Passes with assignments from teachers are required at all times for individual students who wish to use the Library/Media Center. Please use the official Library/Media Center Pass. Teachers will be given a packet of twenty-five (25) passes each school year. Feel free to request more as needed. Substitutes should not send students to the Library /Media Center. Teachers may not schedule Library/Media Center time in sub-lesson plans. This is an official district recommendation. An insert has been included in your substitute folder that explains this policy.
• Teachers may send up to five students in any one hour to the Library/Media Center on individual passes as space permits. A group of more than five students must be accompanied by a teacher or an aide.
• While students are in the Library/Media Center, they will be expected to pursue their studies without interfering with the studying of other students.
• Students will not be allowed to return to class the last 10 minutes of the period.
• To insure students arrive at the Library/Media Center promptly, the Library/Media Center has a sign-in sheet at the entrance where students sign their name and time of arrival. Students should show their pass to the Desk Attendant.
• Late bus passes are issued Tuesday through Thursday for students who wish to work in the library from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• Passes with assignments from teachers are required at all times for individual students who wish to use the Library/Media Center. Please use the official Library/Media Center Pass. Teachers will be given a packet of twenty-five (25) passes each school year. Feel free to request more as needed. Substitutes should not send students to the Library/Media Center. Teachers may not schedule Library/Media Center time in sub-lesson plans. This is an official district recommendation. An insert has been included in your substitute folder that explains this policy.
• Teachers may send up to five students in any one hour to the Library/Media Center on individual passes as space permits. A group of more than five students must be accompanied by a teacher or an aide.
• While students are in the Library/Media Center, they will be expected to pursue their studies without interfering with the studying of other students.
• Students will not be allowed to return to class the last 10 minutes of the period.
• To insure students arrive at the Library/Media Center promptly, the Library/Media Center has a sign-in sheet at the entrance where students sign their name and time of arrival. Students should show their pass to the Desk Attendant.
• Late bus passes are issued Tuesday through Thursday for students who wish to
  work in the library from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

SCPA's Electronic Catalog - search for books, magazines, and other sources available in the SCPA library

• Need help with homework? Get it online! All you need is a Public Library Card! Visit the San Diego Public Library: Live Homework Help for more information

  District Databases - search these databases provided by the San Diego Unified School District for educational articles on topics for different subject areas

• Subject Matter Websites - this list gives educational websites for Science, Math, English, Social Studies, and the Arts

• Useful Websites - here is a list of useful websites provided by your librarian