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Contact Information:

 

Daily Media Center Hours: 7:15AM - 2:00PM

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SMCPS School Library Media Mission Statement

The mission of the St. Mary's County Public Schools Library Media Program is to foster the development of effective and ethical use of information and ideas while advocating life-long reading and learning habits by providing instruction, resources, and services to our students, staff, and community. 

 

Checkout Policy 

Most EMS students visit the library every two weeks during their English Language Arts class to check out independent library books. Students also have the opportunity to visit the library during the school day with a school pass issued by their classroom teacher for the media center. Students can check out three books simultaneously during the week if they have no overdue books. Students can renew library books twice if another student has not placed the book on hold.

Students can search for books and eBooks in our library collection by accessing the Esperanza Middle School Library Collection.

Young Adult Literature 

EMS library has a Young Adult (YA) Literature section in our library book collection. These books are most typically written for ages ranging from twelve to eighteen years. YA Literature is a category of fiction reading that supports the transition of the middle school adolescent reader into adulthood. The YA Literature's plots and themes are more advanced and emotional regarding characters coming of age and their view of the world in which they live. The subject matter addresses problems, issues, and life circumstances of interest to middle and high school readers related to friendships, finding their identity, and forming romantic relationships. Thus, the content is intended for a mature reader. YA books are clearly labeled on our library shelves to be easily identifiable. An EMS student who is not yet twelve years of age and wants to check out a YA book must have a signed YA parent permission form on file in the Esperanza Media Center. EMS parents can provide YA permission for their student by reading and filling out the Google form at the following Google link: 

​2025-2026 Esperanza YA Literature Permission Form  There are also paper copies available in the media center.

Please direct questions and concerns to the Media Center.

eBooks, SMCPS Databases, and Online Resources

Students can access the online resources and databases SMCPS provides, such as Destiny, Clever, WorldBook Online, Homework Help, and more, on this webpage. 

Destiny Accounts 

Follett’s Destiny Library Manager is the platform SMCPS uses to manage the library and school resources for all K-12 SMCPS schools. Destiny is where and how we circulate books and manage school resources, including library books, textbooks, and student laptops in the media center. Click on the following link https://youtu.be/H1YuwF2exaI to watch a video to find out how to access your student's Destiny account to note what materials are checked out to your student and if there are fines.

SMCPS Student Resource and Technology Accountability 

All students are responsible for any materials signed out during the school year in Destiny. Please review and read the  SMCPS Resource and Tech Accountability with your student. In the document, you will find information such as the 2023-24 Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), library checkout and fines, pricing for damage to SMCPS technology,  how to pay for fines, how to appeal a technology repair fine in SMCPS, how to get a charger for your student laptop, how to receive an SMCPS device if you are a new student to SMCPS and other pertinent technology and resource information. If your student needs a repair to their learning device, please use the following link:  Directions On How To Use the Helpdesk

Library Books

Books, novels, and textbook questions? 

Technology

Repair 

💻 If you have a question about a technology repair fine, please email helpdesk@smcps.org. However, if you have received a fine notice and have spoken with an administrator at EMS about your student's tech repair, and the issue has not been resolved, please click on the following SMCPS Tech Repair Appeal Form to appeal the fine. 

Students LEAVING SMCPS 

Student Withdrawal at End of Year and Summer

If you know your student is leaving SMCPS at the end of the year or moving out of the district during the summer, the following items must be returned to Esperanza Middle School prior to withdrawing.

  • All textbooks and resources

  • All technology (laptops, chargers, iPad/charger, hot spots)

  • All Media Center books and resources. Consumables DO NOT need to be returned. 

  • If anything is not returned a fine will be assessed for the cost of the materials and technology.

 

Students Transferring IN COUNTY 

 

If your student is transferring schools within the county next year or going to high school next year in SMCPS, here are the procedures you need to follow:

  • EMS Media Center Books: These books stay at Esperanza Middle School. These resources will need to be returned to the EMS library.
  • TEXTBOOKS and Consumables:  All student are to take their consumables home at the end of the school year. Consumables DO NOT need to be returned. However, all textbooks are returned to the EMS library. 
  • Laptops, and chargers: Students are to keep laptops and chargers over the summer for use next year at their new school or high school.