Deep Creek Middle School

In the current information and digital age, library media centers need to be the guiding light for students, teachers, administrators, stakeholders, and communities. Information literacy, the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use information, is an essential skill that all individuals need to possess in order to be successful in today’s society. Research has shown that student achievement increases when they have consistent access to libraries that are staffed with certified library media specialists. Based on this research, it is our responsibility as educators to overcome obstacles and barriers that interfere with this access to the library. As library media specialists we are the experts in information literacy and we need to collaborate with classroom teachers to empower them with the skills necessary to improve student achievement. These information literacy skills can be used in all curricular areas and will foster the development of life long learning skills in our students. Our roles as a teacher and instructional partner are what will ignite this transfer of information literacy skills.

Media Specialist	Donald Whitby - dwhitby@bcps.org
Media Center Assistant	Jeanie Friend - jfriend@bcps.org
Hours of Operation	M-W-F 8am-3pm & T-TH 8am-4pm
Telephone/Fax Number	410-887-0334
Goal of the Media Center	The goal of the staff at the media center is to empower students to develop the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use information to help solve educational and real-world problems. The library also hopes to inspire students to become life long readers by providing access to classic literature as well as current high interest reading materials.

Databases

In an effort to ensure equitable access to information for all students regardless of social, economic, or racial class, Baltimore County Public Schools has paid for each student to have access to authoritative online information via fee-based databases. These online databases are subscriptions licensed by the Baltimore County Public Schools or the MDK-12 Digital Library for use by students, staff, and parents in school or from home. Fee-based database digital content, unlike most content found on the free Internet, represents authoritative content from reference, periodical and multimedia information resources. An investigation of a subject or research project should always include information located in these fee-based databases. The organization of these databases is exceptional and the powerful search features ensure success in locating information on almost any subject. In order to access these databases from home you will need passwords that can be found in this handout. To access the databases click on the graphic below.

In an effort to prepare our students for the digital world that awaits them, Deep Creek Middle Magnet School uses online research models to incorporate technology into the curriculum. Research models are woven into each grade level and almost every curricular area. To see a comprehensive list of research models available please click here.

Baltimore County Public Library Website

In order to become a life long learner, you must be know about all of the available resources at your disposal. One of those resources is the Baltimore County Public Library. From community resources to homework help and everything in between, if you are looking for information you can find it at your local library. Best of all...It's all free to Baltimore County residents. To gain instant access to all of this information visit the BCPL website by clicking here.