Media Center

book sitting on laptop computer in the media center

The mission of Sheridan Technical College is “To promote excellence in academic, career and technical studies in order to prepare students to enter and remain competitive in a global workforce.”  The Media Center supports that mission by providing access, support, and instruction to students and staff with a variety of current digital and print resources and tools.

Our vision is to transform the school library to an Innovative Learning Center, to be an active learning hub within the school, facilitated by a certified media specialist that fosters personalized learning through critical thinking, communication, collaboration, while providing access to digital, and program specific resources.

The Media staff  strives to help students achieve academic excellence, become lifelong learners and readers, and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be competitive in a global workforce.

Our Media Center has a searchable library collection that can be accessed through Destiny Discover.  Students can search by title, author, or topic for materials in the media center, electronic resources, or materials from other centers.  Your Single Sign On can access this information from home or the college.

 

Sheridan Technical College Media Program:

  • Provides program specific resources that meet a broad range of individual learning styles, abilities, interests, and curriculum needs, including multicultural education.
  • Strengthens effective teaching and learning through collaboration.
  • Stimulates and promotes literacy in reading, listening, viewing and communicating for both pleasure and information.
  • Utilizes technology to address expanding information needs.

 

The following services are available in the media center:

  • Book and DVD check out: Students and staff may borrow two books and two DVDs for two weeks
  • Desktop computers
  • Black and white and color printing for program related materials
  • Scanning and Faxing services
  • Comfortable seating and private study areas 

 

 

MEDIA CENTER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Book Categories

Books are categorized as:

  • Non-Fiction (000-999)  –  A genre of literature that focuses on factual events and real people. 
  • Fiction (F) – Narratives or stories that are created, invented, and made up by the writer. 
  • Easy Fiction (E) –  Books that aim to make their subject easy to understand by using photos or drawings to support the story or topic.  
  • Electronic Books (eBooks) – Books read on the computer, e-reader, smartphone, or tablet. 
  • Audio Books – A recording of a book or other work being read out loud. or An audiocassette or CD recording of a reading of a book, typically a novel. 
Digital Direct Card

(Download Adobe Acrobat Reader  to view or print PDF)

The Broward County Library (BCL) Digital Direct Card provides access to digital academic resources available through Broward County Public Library. Download a copy of the BCL Digital Direct Card Flyer to learn more.

E-Books

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Broward students now have the option of accessing ebooks and audiobooks for any time, anywhere reading.  Through the Library Media partnership with the Broward County Library, books are available from Axis360. Ebooks are also available in Destiny if the school has purchased ebooks. EBooks and audiobooks are also available using the Axis360 app. Click this link to download the flyer below.  Students can find out more from their school’s library media specialist.

Free eBooks & Audiobooks on your Device or Computer. axis360

Guidelines for Objection to Library/Specific Materials

The School Board of Broward County’s  Policy 4140 details the process for parents, as defined by Florida Statutes, of a student enrolled in a Broward public school, or any adult student who objects to the use of specific instructional or material(s) being used in a school curriculum or media center to complete a protest on the instructional and/or digital materials.  See Policy 4140 and the Library Media and Instructional Materials Guide outlining the process. 

The District has also developed policies and procedures for selecting materials for our school media centers (Policy 4120). We recognize that not everyone will agree with every selection made. School media collections are developed to appeal to a wide range of diverse ages, interests, and tastes. Our library users have many different opinions and beliefs, and building collections to serve everyone without including some material that some people may find inappropriate is not possible. The District supports the right of all users to decide what material is appropriate for themselves and their families.

Broward County parents and residents who elect to object to library/specific materials should download and complete the Objection to Library/Specific Materials form. Completed forms must be submitted to
Removal or Transfer of Library Materials
Library Resources: View Steps to Access Library Resources

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Library Media offers many educational resources that can be accessed anywhere anytime from our Canvas or Destiny Library Manager portals.  View and download the Steps to Access BCPS Library Media Resources.  See your school’s media specialist for more information or assistance

library media resources graphic

Selection and Maintenance of School Library Media Collections

The School Board of Broward County has adopted procedures for developing library media center collections. Below are the guidelines used.

SELECTION OF MATERIALS

Criteria for Selection of Print and Non-Print Materials 

  • Materials are selected to support the mission of the school: (Identify school mission) 
  • Materials are selected to enrich and support the curriculum and the educational, emotional, and recreational needs of the users.  
  • Materials shall be appropriate for the age, emotional development, ability levels, learning styles, and social development of students.  

In keeping with the Library Bill of Rights, materials will be considered based on the following: 

  • Needs of the curriculum, learning/teaching styles of students, faculty and staff 
  • Possible use of material (including small or large group instruction, in-depth study) 
  • Level of physical, artistic, and literary quality 
  • Treatment of subject and lack of cultural bias 
  • Accuracy and currency of information 
  • Scope of coverage 
  • Support of inquiry and critical thinking skills 
  • Relationship of the material to the overall collection 
  • Cost, packaging, and documentation 

MAINTENANCE OF COLLECTION

Removing materials from a library collection that are no longer educationally appropriate is an equally important process as selecting new items of high quality. The library media specialist and/or instructional staff have an ongoing process to evaluate the library media collection and to keep the collection relevant to the changing needs of the curriculum, personal interests, and needs of students. Evaluation of items under consideration for removal from the Library Media Center should be based on criteria related to the educational value of the resources.

Criteria For Removing Items from the Library Collection

  • Condition: Materials in poor condition due to damage, wear and tear, missing pages or heavily marked pages are prime candidates for replacement.
  • Content: Materials may be in good physical condition but contain inaccurate or outdated information.
  • Use: Materials that have not circulated for several years and are not needed for reference purposes should be considered for removal.
  • Educational Value: Materials that are at inappropriate reading or interest levels for students and materials no longer aligned with the curriculum. The Department of Innovative Learning recommends that the following items should not be weeded or discarded:
    • Literary classics, unless more attractive formats are available
    • Local and state history, unless collected by another agency
    • Major publications of the school, unless another department is responsible for the archive.

Media Staff

Anthony Matranga, MLS
Media Specialist

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Media Center Rules

Please observe the following media center guidelines:

All media center patrons must display their Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) ID.

Please be considerate of others by placing your cell phone on vibrate while in the media center. Phone conversations should be taken outside the media center.

To maintain a quiet and academic atmosphere, children under the age of sixteen are not allowed in the media center.

Food and drinks are not permitted in the media center

Noise and other disruptions are not permitted in the media center.

Download our Student Guide here

CHALLENGE READING MATERIALS PROCESS

Broward County parents and residents who elect to object to library/specific materials should download and complete the Objection to Library/Specific Materials form. Completed forms must be submitted to
 

ONLINE LIBRARY RESOURCES

The district provides online resources to ensure equitable access to information that will improve student performance and achievement. Students can use Clever to access Follett Destiny for age-appropriate materials that support educational and social-emotional needs.