• About the Library

     

    Welcome! The West Seneca West Middle School Library serves students and staff in all curricular areas in grades 6, 7 and 8. The library has more than 9,000 items including print books, ebooks, and audiobooks all searchable in Destiny or Sora, plus research databases to help with class assignments.

     

    How do I contact the librarian?

    Contact Ms. Wrobel at (716) 677-3511 or lwrobel@wscschools.org. Students may also reach out in their grade-level Google Classroom for library.

     

    How do students have access to the library?

    Students will visit the library as a class when their teacher schedules a library day or research project. They may also visit the library during open study hall periods - please listen to announcements or check the library's hallway bulletin board for daily open times. The library is also always open during Homeroom (every day), but students must first check in with their Homeroom teacher and get a pass to visit the library. Students may also access library resources online anytime in their grade-level library Google Classroom. 

     

    When is the library open?

    The library is open from 7:50am to 8:10am every school day during Homeroom. Students must get a pass from their Homeroom teacher to sign in to the library during Homeroom. For open study halls, check the daily schedule posted outside the library doors or listen to morning announcements to find out which study hall periods are open each day. Each day's open study hall periods depend on which classes are scheduled that day in the library. The library is only open to study hall students when there is not a class scheduled.

      

    How many books may students borrow at once?

    Print books: Students may decide with their families how many books they should check out at one time. There is no "one size fits all" book checkout limit. It's up to YOU to decide what works for YOU!

    Building- and district-level ebooks: Building-level ebook/audiobook checkout is available through the West Middle online catalog, Destiny. Only West Middle students can access the West Middle Destiny ebooks/audiobooks. Ebooks/audiobooks that are only available in Sora are shared by ALL district students according to grade level (elementary/middle school students cannot access high school ebooks/audiobooks).

    Tips: If you search Destiny for books, the results will include any ebooks/audiobooks that "live" in Sora. If you search directly in Sora, the results will ONLY include Sora ebooks/audiobooks. Also, an elementary student at Allendale will be searching the same Sora books as an elementary student at Winchester; middle school students at both East and West will see the same ebooks/audiobooks when they search in Sora. Ebooks/audiobooks are automatically returned at the end of the 3-week borrowing period. 

     

    When are library books due?

    Books are borrowed for 3 weeks at a time and may be renewed by asking or emailing Ms. Wrobel. Check the due-date stamp in the back of your book to find out when it's due, or log in to the Destiny link on the main library web page and go to "Checkouts." All library materials for the school year should be returned by Memorial Day. Summer book checkout starts the last 2 weeks of school, including during exams.

     

    How do I return library books?

    You have three options:

    1) the 24/7 red book drop box outside the side gym parking lot doors

    2) the white basket outside the library doors (no need to sign in to the library if you're just dropping books in the basket as you walk by on your way to class)

    3) the checkout desk (inside the library) has a drop slot for returned books (students must be signed in with a pass to walk that far into the library) 

     

    What should students do if they lose a library book?

    Keep looking for it! Our motto is "it's gotta be somewhere." Lost library books are usually just misplaced or hidden under materials in a locker/bed/closet and turn up within a week or two. Check your school email regularly so as not to miss an overdue book notice. Pick up a "lost book checklist" from the library if you need help looking for your book. If lost books are not found in a reasonable amount of time (by the next quarter or if it's the 4th quarter, by the end of the year), students may choose to pay for the book(s). Please check with the librarian for an alternate way to replace and take responsibility for a lost book (examples: working in the library to "pay for" a lost book, creating a poster to promote library materials, purchasing a replacement copy at a book store, or doing a kind deed for someone in need and documenting it to prove the work was completed).

      

    I am a parent/guardian. What can I do if I'm concerned about the content or reading level of the materials my own child has access to in the middle school library?

    Students benefit from library access more when their family or guardian(s) are involved with their reading material choices, including selecting materials and formats that are on an appropriate level and topic for that individual child. Middle school is also an important time for students to begin or continue making independent reading choices. Please call the library at (716) 677-3511 to discuss your child's use of the school library with librarian Ms. Wrobel. She is happy to help you create an individual plan for your child so that he/she has access to materials that will enhance their West Middle School experience while respecting your family's interests. It's important to remember that materials at the middle school level have a wide range of reading levels and appropriateness of topic. The librarian is happy to work with your family, child and his/her classroom teachers in choosing fun, engaging, interesting and appropriate library materials. Click here for a note on choosing appropriate library books in middle school.

     

    I am a local citizen. What can I do if I'm concerned about the content or reading level of an item available in the middle school library?

    Please refer to Policy #8320 ("Selection of Library and Multimedia Materials") of the district's policy manual. You may then choose to obtain a "Citizen's Request for Re-Evaluation of Instructional Materials" which can be turned in to the school library, principal, or district offices.

     

    What are some important library terms to know in middle school and beyond?

    Take a look at this library vocabulary list to see which words you already know!