Esperanza
Middle School
Media
Contact Information:
Daily Media Center Hours:
7:15AM - 2:00PM
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's parents can provide YA permission for their student by reading and filling out the Google form at the following Google link: https://forms.gle/okGRA7mkfrDFkk599. There are also paper copies available in the media center.
Please direct questions and concerns to Dr. Winifred Johnson in the Media Center.
eBooks, SMCPS Databases, and Online Resources
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 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: https://youtu.be/H1YuwF2exaI
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? Email Dr. Johnson at wnjohnson@smcps.org
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.