A Library is a very special place so it is important to know how we behave and what we do when we are in it. Here are some guidelines to be followed when in the Library:

• Noise - Talk in a volume that is suitable for quiet communication;
• Getting Around – Walk, do not rush or run;
• Eating and Drinking – There are areas where you can eat and drink; the Library is not one of them;
• Reference Computers - When using the Reference Computers to find an author or a book do so quickly and quietly so as to give an opportunity to as many other students as possible who wish to do the same.
• Lining Up - While in line to use one of the Reference Computers, or in line for checking out books, please wait quietly and patiently.
• Computers in the Library - The computers are only for research or homework purposes

Below you will find the Library opening hours. Don’t forget that you are also welcome to use the Library during Morning and Afternoon Playtime.

The Library Collection is in both English and Spanish, and it is divided into two main sections – Infant and Junior/Middle. These two main sections are in turn sub-divided as follows:

• Fiction (Easy books: Blue, Orange and Red; Easy Fiction; Fiction and Story Collection)
• Non Fiction (organized using the Dewey Decimal System)
• Biographies
• Magazines
• Reference books (Dictionaries and Encyclopedias)
• Atlases
• Teachers’ Reference
• Adult fiction
• Additional Information

Every Monday, reminders of overdue books are sent to Form Teachers.

Lost Books - After four reminders to the student, parents receive a letter indicating that the book or magazine is overdue. Unless the item is returned, it is considered lost, and the family will be billed for the replacement of the book / magazine, plus handling charges.

Overdue Books and Fines - Our aim is to reinforce punctuality and responsibility in our students.

We think that students in Form 4 and upwards are old enough to understand this sense of responsibility: if a book / magazine is not returned at the right time – a fine is charged. The fines for the Form 4s are 2 pesos per book, per week. The fines charged for Form 5 to Upper 6 are 3 pesos per book, per day.

Once the book is returned, the fine is “frozen” and it can be either paid completely; paid in small installments; or, if it is bigger than 20 pesos, students pay 20 pesos at the beginning and work in the library every morning break until their debt is paid. Each day worked is equal to the deduction of 10 pesos from the fine.

Individual situations are taken into consideration. Therefore when a child is absent, and cannot return his library materials at the right time, the fine generated during the absence is cancelled and only the days when the pupil was at school and did not return the overdue materials are counted.

We would like to emphasize that the children should rest assured that the money collected from fines is returned to the school community in many different ways. For example, the library has increased its Spanish collection, has built a puppet theatre, has bought a CD record player and games for rainy days, bought puppets to be used by the members of our Puppet Club and by the teachers who need them, etc.

Damaged Books - If a book is damaged and can be repaired, a charge will be made for the cost of repairing it, depending on the amount of damage. (Please do not try to repair the book yourself; the School will do so) If the book cannot be repaired, the student will be charged for the cost of replacing it.

Should you wish to contact the Library for whatever reason, do not hesitate to write or call:

Mrs. Mariana Terra

Junior School Librarian

mterra@british.edu.uy

Mrs. Dorothy Wirgman

Infant Library

dwirgman@british.edu.uy

Ms. Magdalena Bergamino

Assistant Librarian

mbergamino@british.edu.uy

Telephone: (600 3421), extension: 138