Ask the Librarian

TIS LMC FACTS

  1. HOW ARE BOOKS ORGANIZED?
  2. WHY DO BOOKS HAVE SPINE LABELS OF DIFFERENT COLORS?
  3. WHAT ARE THE LIBRARY HOURS?
  4. WHO CAN CHECK OUT BOOKS?
  5. HOW LONG CAN I KEEP A BOOK?
  6. WHAT HAPPENS IF I RETURN A BOOK LATE?
  7. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DAMAGE OR LOSE A BOOK?
  8. DOES THE LIBRARY ACCEPT GIFTS AND BOOK DONATIONS?

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HOW ARE BOOKS ORGANIZED?

NonFiction

Nonfiction books are written to inform the reader. These books are rich in
factual information. Melville Dewey created a classification system which uses
numbers to indicate what a book is about so that books about the same topic
are grouped together in a library. In TIS LMC, nonfiction books begin with a
Dewey number, then the first three letters of the author’s last name, then the
language code.

If you know the Dewey number of the topic you are seeking, you know that all
other books on that topic have the same Dewey number and will be located
together in the library.

* 000 – Computer science, information, and general works
* 100 – Philosophy and psychology
* 200 – Religion
* 300 – Social sciences
* 400 – Language
* 500 – Science
* 600 – Technology
* 700 – Arts and recreation
* 800 – Literature
* 900 – History and geography

Biography (921) and Collective Biography (920)

A biography is about the life of one person. The call number uses the Dewey number for biography, 921, then the first three letters of the subject’s lastname, then the language code. A collective biography (920) is about more than one person.

Reference Books (R)

Reference books provide extensive information on one or several subjects.
These books usually don’t leave the library. Some are checked out for one day.
The call numbers for reference books begin with “R,” the Dewey number for the
subject covered, then the first three letters of the author’s last name, or
the first three letters of the title if the author is not identified. There is
also a language code in our library.

Fiction (F)

Fiction books are books whose purpose is to entertain the reader. While there
may be factual events or persons in the story, a fiction book is not meant to
be a resource of information. For fiction, the call number is “F,” then the
first three letters of the author’s last name, then the language code.

Big Books (BIG)

These books are fiction or nonfiction and are cataloged by their large format
for story time. The call number is BIG, followed by the first three letters of
the author’s last name, then the language code. These book may not be checked out.

Picture Books (P)

These books are usually story books with color illustrations or photographs.
The call number is “P” and then the first three letters of the author’s last
name, then the language code.

Early Readers (E)

These books are cataloged together because of their special format for
learning to read. The call number is “E” and then the first three letters of
the author’s last name, then the language code.

Board Books (BOARD)

These book are characterized by their thick pages for the youngest readers.
The call number begins with “Board,” then the first three letters of the
author’s last name, then the language code.

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WHY DO BOOKS HAVE SPINE LABELS OF DIFFERENT COLORS?

LANGUAGE CODES:

Chinese — CH
English — EN
Japanese — JA
Spanish — SP

For quick visual language information, the spine label of each book is
color-coded to indicate the language of the text. Bilingual books are given
call numbers reflecting the track language but have small color-coded dots on
the spines to indicate other languages inside. For example, a book with a blue
spine label and a white dot indicates a book with text in Japanese and English.

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WHAT ARE THE LIBRARY HOURS?

Monday 12:30-4:00
Tuesday 9:00-4:00
Wednesday 12:30-4:00
Thursday 9:00-4:00

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WHO CAN CHECK OUT BOOKS?

Students, teachers, parents and staff may check out library materials. Grades K-5 will have the opportunity to check out books during library classes. Pre K and Low K students may check out books when accompanied by a parent or guardian during library hours. Pre K-Grade 2 students may check out one book at a time. Students in Grades 3-5 may check out two books at a time.

Parents are welcome to get their own library cards.

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HOW LONG CAN I KEEP A BOOK?

Two weeks with the option to renew if the book is not on hold for someone else.

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WHAT HAPPENS IF I RETURN A BOOK LATE?

Students will not incur fines for late books, but please check the due date
recorded on the back of each book and return it on time. Books not returned
will be billed to parents.

There is a bin just inside the library media center door for depositing books.
Thank you!

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WHAT HAPPENS IF I DAMAGE OR LOSE A BOOK?

If a book is lost or damaged during the school year, a parent must contact the
librarian so that you/your child may continue to borrow books from the
library. Parents will be billed if a book is lost, damaged or not returned by
the end of May. Please keep in mind that many of the library books are surprisingly expensive
due to the cost of acquiring them abroad and may be difficult to replace.

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DOES THE LIBRARY ACCEPT GIFTS AND BOOK DONATIONS?

If you would like to donate a book or other material to The International
School Library Media Center, please be aware that your gift may be integrated
into the general collection, used as a fundraiser, donated elsewhere or
disposed of in some other manner. Please observe the following guidelines for
donations:

• No magazines will be accepted this year.
• Children’s books in good condition, with little wear, no stains, tears,
mold or mildew will be accepted.
• Non-fiction books and reference books must be published within the past
five years.
• Paperback books do not hold up well in a circulating library, but
exceptions can be made for hard to find books in Spanish, Japanese and
Mandarin.
• Music CD’s, Audio Books, DVDs, Software (Originals only, please.)

Please leave your name and contact information with your donation in case the
librarian needs to contact you. A special bookplate will be added to the
inside front cover of the book to honor your gift. Please see the librarian
if you would like to donate new books or something special!

Receipts for tax purposes are available.

Thank You!

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