Dimond Library - Info Lair for Lynx Learners.

About Us

History Bits

     Dimond Library opened in 1967, when the first Dimond High School began operation in its own building.  Since then, several librarians and library assistants have come and gone; the collection has mushroomed; and automation forever changed how we operate. The library moved in 2003 to the new Dimond building; and in 2004, the library was named the Mary Pat McDowell Library.

          Mary Pat McDowell taught special education students at Dimond for 24 years before she died of cancer in 1999.  She loved reading and encouraged her students of all ability levels to read widely.  Her family set up a $100,000 scholarship fund in her name to benefit Dimond students. 

Who?

          Ms. Suzanne Metcalfe moved to Dimond to be the Librarian in 2006, after 10 years at Mears. Mrs. Kollette Schroeder began work as a library assistant in fall, 2004.  Student library aides change each semester.  They register as teacher aides, but it’s more like a job, which includes shelving, check out/in, cleaning (“Cinderella work”), running errands, moving equipment and furniture (“mule work”), processing books, researching, pulling requested items, laminating, assisting other students.  All library staff members are here to help students and teachers use the library more productively.

When?

          Dimond Library opens at 7:00 am and closes at 3:00 pm, with exceptions for meetings, shortage of staff, and Fridays (2:15).  Students may come and go freely before and after school and at lunches.  During class hours, a written pass from a teacher is necessary. Students with late arrival, early dismissal, or without a class may display a schedule in lieu of a pass.  All students must sign in and out during class hours.  Only two students at a time from any one class may be on a pass except by special arrangement with librarian.  The library can accommodate two classes at a time, for which teachers sign up in advance. 

What’s Here?

          The library collection contains roughly 30,000 items, including biographies, reference works, Alaskana, fiction, story collections, paperbacks (mostly fiction), nonfiction with Dewey classification numbers, videos, DVDs, audiobooks, CDs, CD-ROMs, professional items, and magazines.

The 29 student computer stations are new Macs and a few Dells, with upgrading scheduled periodically.  All computers are Internet connected, with network printing capability.  

Equipment which can be used by staff and/or students include TV combos with dual deck VHS/DVD players, overhead projectors, multimedia projectors, scanners, video-to-DVD transfer, multiple document scanner that creates a PDF file, poster maker, boom boxes, opaque projectors, mobile marker board, mobile easel, laminator (library staff only), digital video and still cameras, coin-op copier, plus staplers, paper cutters, and the usual office stuff for in-library use such as glue, scissors, colored pencils, and markers.

Check-out Info

          An ID card is required to check out library items.  Other photo ID (driver’s license, military, or state ID) or verification of identity by a teacher will do, but a school ID is preferred.  ID cards are made in the library at posted times.

            A student may have up to 4 items out at a time.  Books may be checked out for 3 weeks and renewed for 3 weeks.  Reference books are not checked out to students unless a really soulful tale melts the flinty heart of the librarian (it does occasionally happen!).  Overnight is the only option for reference items.   Videos and DVDs ordinarily are for teacher use only, although students may view them in the library.  Yearbooks may be viewed ONLY in the library workroom by students or adults. 

          Any student with an overdue item may not check out anything more.  Overdue notices are given to students about once a month—more often near the end of the school year.  A lost or damaged item must be paid for or replaced—a new library book costs $20 and up.

Inter-Library Loan (ILL)

          If a student wants a book which Dimond Library does not have, it’s possible to borrow it in a few days through Inter-Library Loan (ILL) from another ASD library which may own it.  Use WebCat with ASD as the User ID to see what libraries in the school district have it.  Then ask a library staff person to request the book via e-mail; if it’s available, the book will arrive via inter-school mail in 3 or 4 days. 

          We do not do ILL with Anchorage Municipal Libraries (AML) and UAA/APU Consortium Library.  Students are on their own getting items from them. Their catalogs are together on AML’s web site, lexicon.ci.anchorage.ak.us, and a municipal library card, which every student should acquire anyway, will allow checkouts as well as online holds. 

Computer Use

            Every student using a computer in the library must have an Internet Permission form signed by student, parent, and a teacher on file with the Registrar.  Blank forms are available on the main library counter.  A student may take one home, get all the required signatures, return it to library staff (or to the Registrar).  Class lists which teachers get should indicate with an I if a student has Internet permission.

          Anchorage School District has an Internet filter in operation which limits student access to inappropriate web sites, including games, gambling, peer-to-peer file sharing, and chat, among more obvious exclusions such as pornography.  If a site that has been accessed elsewhere and found academically useful is blocked here, ask the librarian to request that the site be unblocked.  It may or may not happen.

Dos and Don'ts

      Yes …… in library                                                                              No……in library

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