Library Media Center

The library media center is an integral part of the educational process. It is a well-equipped learning lab with the goal of supporting the curriculum needs of students as well as teachers. A wide range of materials is available and requests for additional materials are always welcomed.

The Library Media Center supports the Alabama State Course of Study, the basis of our school curriculum program and its publication "Alabama Library Media Handbook for the 21st Century Learner" as well as "Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs," published by the American Association of School Librarians and the American Library Association. In addition, the Library Media Center endorses the literacy principles of the 2008 Standards of the 21st Century Learner of the American Association of School Librarians.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Frankie Thomas Library at CRIS is to ensure that all of our students are effective users of information and ideas, in a setting where a love of reading is promoted and lifelong learning is encouraged. We plan to maximize the learning experience of every child by nurturing, guiding, and challenging students to reach their fullest potential, as we build leaders, create heroes, and ensure the future of our students as they become life-long learners and productive participants in an increasingly diverse global community.

Goals of the Library Media Center

1. To establish library practices designed to promote student success.
2. To guide students toward independent study skills through instruction on the use of the library.
3. To offer and provide guidance to students in their reading interests and research needs.
4. To maintain adequate supplies of high interest reading materials.
5. To provide an atmosphere conducive to learning.

Book Fairs

Each year, the library has at least one book fair, offering students, teachers, and parents an opportunity to purchase books.

School Store

The library sells a number of school supplies including pens, pencils, highlighters, and spiral notebooks.

Internet Usage

Internet access is available for research for those students who have returned the usage form signed. Students should be aware of internet rules which are located in the Tuscaloosa County School System's Student/Parent Information Guide.

TCSS Library Media Centers provide open access for all students. Our system’s Library Media Centers use Destiny, a Follett software product as its automated management system.

Destiny provides TitlePeek®, which gives students a chance to preview books on-line; and One Search®, which lets students get information from the school library and the Internet as a whole with a single search, and WebPath Express®, which limits student searches to approved, grade-appropriate web sites. Destiny access is available to teachers and students at school and at home via Internet access.