Q: How many items does the library have in its collection?
A: Nearly 30,000.
Q: Can parents take out books too?
A: Yes, any parent of a USN student may email Library Assistant George LaBour to create a library account. Parents can use their accounts to take out any items they choose.
Q: What options do you have for digital books?
A: We now provide a large collection of e-books and audiobooks through the Sora app. If there’s a book you want in e-book or audio format, ask a librarian if we can add it to Sora.
Q: How do I log into the library catalog?
A: On the catalog home page:
Q. What books does my child have checked out?
A: If your child is in grades K-5, email Library Assistant George LaBour for a list of the books and their due dates. If your child is in grade 6 or above, we will be happy to email a list to the student. For more information on our privacy policies, see the Hassenfeld Library Privacy and Communications Policy.
Q: My child has been charged a replacement fee for a book they lost. If we return the book, can we get a refund?
A: Yes! We would love to have the book back. Once it has been returned, we will alert the Business Office to refund the replacement fee. Note that books that were charged in a previous school year cannot be refunded.
Parents and guardians have the right and responsibility to monitor and guide their children’s reading choices. According to the ALA guidelines, “Parents and guardians who do not want their children to have access to specific library services, materials, or facilities should so advise their own children.” Teachers also have the right and responsibility to decide on class-based reading choices.
However, teachers and Library staff are not expected to take on the role of gatekeeper outside of classroom literacy endeavors. This means that, while Library staff can and will guide students to reading material that is appropriate and of interest to them, they will not restrict a child from checking out a book that may be above their reading or maturity level, unless explicitly instructed to do so by the child’s parent or guardian.
Any questions, comments, or concerns from families about student library choices should be directed to Kate Pritchard, Library Director, at kpritchard@usn.org or 615-277-1126.
