Library

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The goal of Bessemer Academy Library Media Center is to provide books and materials that will support and enhance learning. The library is open daily from 7:30 until 3:30. Special arrangements may be made for times other than those shown above by contacting the Library Media Specialist.

Library Polices
Elementary students may check out up to 2 books at a time. Middle and high school students may check out up to 5 books at a time. Faculty has no limit.

Books are checked out 2 weeks for elementary students and 4 weeks for middle and high school students. They may be renewed. Faculty has no limit.

Fines are not charged, but books must be paid for if lost.

Computer Lab Policies
Faculty may sign up for time in the Computer Lab with the Media Specialist.
Students may come to the Computer Lab with a pass from their period teacher. This pass must be presented to the Media Specialist before accessing a computer.

No document(s) may be saved on any of the computer hard drives. Students are encouraged to purchase a flash drive for the purpose of saving information. The school store does have some flash drives for purchase.
Computers are for educational purposes. Students are not to check email, access social websites, download anything, or play games on the computers without the permission of the Media Specialist.

Homework Alabama
This website offers homework help to students from grade 4 through freshman year in college. From 3:00 pm to midnight, students can communicate online with tutors who are knowledgeable in numerous subjects. For more information, please visit www.homeworkalabama.org.

Alabama Virtual Library (AVL)
The AVL is a collection of databases offered to everyone free in the state of Alabama. It includes magazines, encyclopedias, and many other databases: literature, science, social studies, and general information. These databases are filtered and are on an academic level for students.
This database can be accessed from home. The AVL card is available for all Alabama residents through the public library and is free. School students may obtain their card from their school media specialist.
For more information on the Alabama Virtual Library, visit the website at www.avl.lib.al.us. Tutorials are available on the website.

Challenging Library Resources

  • Person initiating the challenge of  the library resource completes and submits the Bessemer Academy Library BA Policy Form for the Challenging of Resources to the Bessemer Academy Librarian/Library Media Specialist . 
  • If the issue is not resolved, the Bessemer Academy Librarian/Library Media Specialist presents the concern and submits the completed Bessemer Academy Library Policy Form for the Challenging of Resources to the Bessemer Academy Leadership Team for consideration.
  • If the issue is not resolved, the Bessemer Academy Leadership Team submits the completed Bessemer Academy Library Policy Form for the Challenging of Resources with recommendations to the Bessemer Academy Headmaster for consideration.
  • If the issue is not resolved, the Bessemer Academy Headmaster then submits the completed Bessemer Academy Library Policy Form for the Challenging of Resources and the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom form with Bessemer Academy’s recommendations to the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) for consideration.
  • If the issue is not resolved, the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) then submits the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom form  to the American Library Association (ALA) for consideration and resolution.

 

Our fabulous Media Specialists are the following:

Dr. Susan Nelson

Media Specialist

Susan graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, the University of Alabama at Birmingham with the Master of Arts and Education Specialist degrees, and the University of Alabama with the Master of Library and Information Studies and Doctor of Education degrees. She taught at Oak Grove Elementary School for four years, Hueytown Elementary School for thirty years, Hueytown Middle School for four years, and the University of Alabama for eleven years. Susan has been married to Roger “Corky” Nelson for forty-three years, and they have two children. On her free time, she loves to travel, take care of her grandchildren, and listen to ZZ Top. She loves Bessemer Academy because of the wonderful faculty and students.

 

Jane Winters

Media Specialist

Jane graduated from Hueytown high School. She graduated from Auburn University and UAB with a Masters degree in elementary education. She has taught at Concord Elementary, Hueytown Elementary, and UAB. Her and her husband, Jeff, have been married for thirty-eight years. She has two children, Josh and Jana, and two grandchildren, Pierce and Cruce. She has a dog names Sky. She loves Pop music and he favorite band is the Beach Boys. She loves Bessemer Academy because the kids are sweet and respectful and because she also loves the faculty.