Library Media Services

Overview

At Lowell Area Schools, we have always prided ourselves on using technology to complement clearly-defined expectations for student learning. When implemented with efficacy, we believe that technology can:

• Help us provide personalized learning for all students;
• Facilitate data-driven instruction;
• Engage teachers in a meaningful way;
• Engage students in a meaningful way;
• Allow us to challenge the way we use our time and classroom space; and
• Allow us to connect inside and outside the classroom.

With these benefits in mind, Lowell Area Schools is proud of the opportunity to provide every student with increased access to technology as a result of the community-supported bond that passed in August 2020.

Instructions

Students and parents should review all information in the Chromebook Handbook and all policies carefully.  Students are fully responsible for caring and maintaining the device during the duration of the checkout.  Once the information has been reviewed, each student along with a parent/guardian, must complete the the Chromebook Agreement Form (either print or online) and accept or decline the insurance.  Insurance must be paid for at the time of checkout or it will be automatically declined.  We had numerous families last year that indicated they wanted insurance on their form, but did not include payment.  In the event that happens, we will mark no payment received on the form and insurance will be declined.  We do not have time to contact each parent to let them know of this situation; so please be sure to follow the instructions fully to ensure you accept or decline insurance.  If purchasing a family plan, please note that only virtual students will be checking out chromebooks individually (unless a quarantine situation arises).  So insurance will likely not be needed for elementary students.

1:1 Chromebook Handbook and Policy Information

Chromebook insurance can be paid by check (made out to Lowell Area Schools), cash or through K12 Payment Center.

Online Chromebook Agreement Form
 

All LMS & LHS students will be issued a school owned chromebook to support instruction. These chromebooks should be used for school work only and are set up with the necessary learning tools to support instruction at LHS. Additionally, the school chromebooks are managed and maintained by the LHS Technology Department which ensures that they are up to date and work seamlessly with our school network. Personal devices DO NOT always have access to the learning tools used in our classrooms and DO NOT always connect to our school; as a result, they are not as functional as the school provided devices in supporting learning at LHS. Students are expected to bring the assigned chromebook to school charged and ready for use each day.

K-8 Virtual students that need to check out a chromebook or need repair to a chromebook previously checked out:

• Students and/or parents may stop by the Cherry Creek Library 9:45 am - 3:15 pm school days to check out a chromebook or bring in a defective/damaged chromebook.   Reminder that the Chromebook Agreement Form is required for checkout.  Printed forms are available in the library or the form can be completed and submitted online using the link above.  

Hotspots

A limited number of hotspots are available on loan from KDL and are only available for students that are fully virtual or quarantined.  They are housed at the Lowell High School Library and must be checked out from that school.  A hotspot permission form must be completed and submitted at checkout. Print this form

Please email Christine Beachler if you have any questions regarding chromebook or hotspot checkouts.  

Copyright Guidelines

The following guidelines are designed to help Lowell Area Schools' staff members, students and parents understand and abide by the rules of copyright protection.  The guidelines are based on the Copyright Law and subsequent guidelines, amendments and endorsements.

All materials used in Lowell Area Schools’ classrooms must be lawfully acquired.  No copies or reproductions are acceptable in any format.  This includes, but is not limited to:  all print materials, CDs, DVDs, digital files, and software.

Related Internet Links:

U.S. Copyright Office
Copyright & Fair Use

Any creative work is automatically protected by copyright law.  The copyright symbol does not need to be present for work to be protected.  Copyright protection last for the life of the creator plus 70 years.

 

The following guidelines pertain to copyrighted materials.  LAS staff are encouraged to create their own materials and utilize other resources from the Public Domain (materials that are free of copyright protection).

Print/Electronic Materials for classroom/instructional purposes:

Allowed:

• one copy: chapter of book
• one copy: article from magazine or newspaper
• one copy: short story, short essay, short poem
• one copy: chart, graph, diagram, picture or non-syndicated, non-copyrighted cartoon
• links on websites to online resources
• copies of reproducible works (online and print materials will generally show their policy for distributing)
• copies of copyrighted works with written permission from the publisher

Not Allowed:

• copying several chapters per book
• copying several articles per magazine
• copying consumables: workbooks, blackline masters, graphic organizers or any other copyrighted materials
• copying print or online worksheets or tests
• using graphics, questions, or any other intellectual property without permission in print or online (when any doubt, get permission from the author/publisher)
• making any print copyrighted materials a permanent part of a school building (walls, ceiling tiles, etc.)

Multiple copies for classroom/instructional purposes:

Allowed:

• complete poem less than 250 words (not more than 2 pages)
• excerpt from long poem not to exceed 250 words
• article, story, or essay less than 2,500 words
• excerpt (from above) less than 1,000 words or 10% of total, whichever is less
• one chart, graph, diagram, picture, or non-syndicated, non-copyrighted cartoon per book or periodical
• works combining prose, poetry, etc., less than 10% of whole
• IF:
  • copying is for one course only
  • insufficient time to request permission
  • one work from a single author
  • less than 3 authors from collective work
  • 9 or less instances of multiple copying per term
  • copying not used to create or replace anthologies
  • same copying not repeated next term
• All multiple copying must be at the inspiration of the individual teacher and the decision to use the material so close to the date needed for instruction as to preclude securing copyright permission from the copyright holder

Not Allowed:

• using/making multiple copies
• creating "anthologies"
• copying shall not be directed by higher authority
• copying more than one or two excerpts from a single author during one class term
• copying from workbooks, tests, or other consumables without written permission
• copying a blackline master that does not specifically give permission to copy and redistribute
• using tests, quizzes, questions, graphics, etc. from a print or online source without written permission
• copying for professional development

Audiovisual/Electronic Materials for classroom/instructional purposes:

Allowed:

• creating slides, 35mm negatives, or scanned copies from books, magazines, etc., as long as only one per source used
• making one overhead transparency or scanned copy of one page of one workbook
• converting a damaged filmstrip to a slide set, keeping same order minus damaged frames
• enlarging a map with an opaque projector for tracing but not duplicating color scheme, symbols, etc.
• copying non-dramatic literary, audiovisual works for use by blind or deaf individuals

Not Allowed:

• copying audio tapes or video tapes for archival or backup purposes
• reproducing musical works or converting from one form to another (cassette to CD)
• copying any audiovisual work in its entirety (except off-air taping)
• converting from one medium format to another (VHS to DVD...unless a DVD is not available for purchase, then a copy can be made)
• recording the text of a book or textbook onto an audiocassette without permission from the book's publisher

Music for classroom/instructional purposes:

Allowed:

• emergency copies for performance provided copies are later purchased
• for study or teaching, single or multiple copies of excerpts
• IF.....
  • excerpts do not constitute a performable unit such as a movement or aria
• editing purchased copies for simplification
• IF.....
  • character of work is not changed
  • lyrics are not changed
• single copy of performances by students made for evaluation or rehearsal purposes
• copy of recording for purposes of aural testing
• portion of commercial music played as background in student media production
• using royalty-free music
• using "small portions" (usually under 30 seconds) of a song in a presentation

Not Allowed:

• copying for performances
• copying to create anthologies
• copying to avoid purchasing
• copying but excluding copyright notice
• performing and playing a musical work without a license or paying royalty fees
• using copyrighted background music for presentations or websites

Videos (Including Educational, Off-Air Recordings from school or home, and Commercial Videos) for classroom/instructional purposes:

Allowed:

• IF…..
  • the use takes place in a classroom or similar place of instruction
  • the use must be part of the regular instructional process and not recreational
  • the use must be in the course of face-to-face teaching activities
  • the video must be lawfully made or acquired copy
  • OR IF a Public Performance License has been obtained

Not Allowed:

• showing any video for entertainment, rewards, rainy days, filler, or non-instructional purposes
• using Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime or any other personal subscriptions
• making copies of obsolete/old videos if they can be purchased in a new format

Note:  Performance rights may be purchased--see Christine Beachler to purchase these licenses

Software for classroom/instructional purposes:

Allowed:

• copying into RAM if copying is necessary to use the program
• one copy for archival purposes
• back up copies of hard drives as long as they are not used to run another drive
• library lending of public domain software

Not Allowed:

• circulation of archival copy
• "networking" software without license or permission
• loading a single copy of a software program onto several computers for simultaneous use
• making copies of copyrighted software for student use

Musicals, Dramatic, and Non-Dramatic Performances for classroom/instructional purposes:

Allowed:

• school chorus performance open to the public for evaluation or rehearsal use

Not Allowed:

• school drama club performing copyrighted play broadcast over cable or Internet to classes
• recording of choral or instrumental concerts and then giving or selling recording to parents

Multimedia for classroom/instructional purposes:

Allowed:

• teacher or student-developed multimedia program of copyrighted programs for use in classroom only and must included a bibliography
• Note:  Students may keep their work indefinitely; teachers may keep student work for only two years

Not Allowed:

• teacher or student-developed multimedia program of copyrighted works for use in displays, websites, public performances, festivals, parent meetings or other public events

Print/Electronic Graphics for classroom/instructional purposes:

Allowed:

• one graphic per book or periodical
• multiple copies of a single graphic
• if....
  • copying is at the instance/inspiration of  teacher copy is for only one course in the school
  • there are not more than nine occurrences of multiple copying  for that course and not more than one graphic is copied per book or periodical

Not Allowed:

• adaptation of a popular cartoon character for the school mascot
• copying an image from a coloring book for a worksheet
• making stuffed animals of popular picture book character
• scanning a cartoon into school newsletter or student handout
• painting characters into murals on school walls
• using characters or quotes on tshirts, bags or other imprintables

AR Book Finder
Destiny

Video on how to search for a book and place it on hold in Destiny

Sora

Video on how to install Sora on a smartPhone or tablet

Video on how to read an eBook on Sora from a computer or chromebook

Audible 

 

mel.org eResources:
Britannica School - Elementary
World Book Kids
Pebble Go
Ebsco eBooks
Learning Express Library

Lab Links
Alto Ellison Die Cuts
Bushnell Ellison Die Cuts
Cherry Creek Ellison Die Cuts
Murray Lake Ellison Die Cuts
All Lowell Schools' Ellison Die Cuts

High School Online Textbooks
Destiny
Easy Bib
Mel.org
Sora
Audible  
LHS Ellison Die Cuts
All Schools' Ellison Die Cuts

Manuals, Instructions and Links
Library Handbook
9th Grade Orientation Link
LHS Student Account Information

Instructional Videos

How to place a book on hold in Destiny
How to get the Sora eBook app on your phone or device
How to check out a Sora eBook on a computer or chromebook
How to add KDL to your Sora app and change the search settings
How to renew textbooks at the end of a tri

Library Obligations for all LAS school libraries and chromebook insurance can be paid through K12 Payment Center.  Please note that a $1.95 convenience fee is applied to payments up to $100 and a 2.99% convenience fee is applied for payments over 100.

How to Get Started Using K12 Payment Center:

• Go to K-12 Payment Center in your web browser.
• First time users click "Sign Up" then select your state and school district from the drop-down lists.
• Fill in your information to set up the account.
• Click "Manage Students" to add your student(s) with their last name and student ID number (6 digit number - same ID# used for lunch fees).
• Make a payment to your students' accounts with your credit/debit card or electronic check.

If you have any difficulties setting up your account, please visit the Help/FAQ located at K12 Payment Center or call 1-800-541-8999.

 

Destiny

Video:  How to login, search and place a hold in Destiny

Sora

Video:  Installing Sora on a smartphone or tablet
Video:  Checking out an eBook through Sora from a computer or chromebook
Video: How to add the KDL collection to your Sora app and change the search setting

Audible  
LMS Ellison Die Cuts
All Schools' Ellison Die Cuts
Instructions to set up an Overdrive account
Please note:  choose Lowell Area Schools for the library name.

Online Math textbooks are available for Algebra by contacting Christine Beachler.

Middle School Textbooks

Big Ideas Math Books - No password needed

 

 

Student Account Information for Parents
      Use this document to help with logging into your child's different library accounts.

LAS Libraries Frequently Asked Questions

LAS Library Parent Presentation 

Parent Letter from author Kate Messner to share with families

 

 

LHS Staff Account Information
LHS Staff Chromebook and Lab Reminders