The Library Media Centers at the middle school level build upon the skills and knowledge taught in grades K-5. This program is designed to meet students' personal and curricular needs in grades 6-8 and to prepare them for the demands of grades 9-12.
Students in grades 6-8 do not have a regularly scheduled library period as they did in elementary school. In the 6th grade, students come to the Library Media Center with their teachers for a series of orientation visits and formal instruction in the use of the automated catalog, basic reference tools, cyber safety, and electronic resources. The library media specialist and the classroom teacher work collaboratively to provide students with opportunities to explore a variety of electronic, print, and non-print media that support the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. Any subject area teacher may schedule subsequent visits for additional instruction, review, or research projects on an as-needed basis at any time. In addition, individual and small group instruction and assistance are provided throughout the school year. The library media specialist also works cooperatively with classroom teachers to stimulate reading motivation by means of a variety of projects and activities.
In the 7th and 8th grades, advanced reference tools, Web site evaluation, and research techniques are stressed. Practical application is instituted across the curriculum by means of research projects. This is accomplished through class, small group, and individual instruction. All middle school LMCs have 30 student computer workstations. Cyber safety areas of intellectual property, copyright, and plagiarism are addressed. In addition, methods of promoting students' appreciation, evaluation, and interpretation of various forms of literature continue to be implemented throughout the school year.