Print Materials

The library's print collection includes about 17,000 volumes, and includes fiction, non-fiction, biography, reference works, and several special collections. All print items in the collection are fully cataloged, and can be located though the library's automated catalog system.

Periodicals

The library currently holds subscriptions to about 15 magazines and newspapers. Current issues are on display and cannot be borrowed, but back issues of magazines may be available for students and staff to borrow. Back issues are kept in the library for the current school year only, due to space limitations.The library receives The (Bergen) Record daily throughout the school year. These are displayed on the shelf along with the current magazines. Individual issues of The Record are kept on hand for 1 week. Students may cut articles out of discarded newspapers only, and are asked to photocopy articles from current issues that they may need. Our newspapers and magazines are available in the library's lounge area, near the windows to your left as you enter the library.

Non-Print: Audio, Video, More

The library's collection also includes some non-print materials. The library's collection of nearly 600 DVDs are available for teachers to checkout for classroom use. These items cannot be borrowed by students.

Special Collections

• Yearbooks The library has a nearly-complete collection of FLHS yearbooks, dating back to the first one, which was issued for the class of 1945. There is a public collection in the bookcase at the end of the Biography section, on the right side of the alcove. This collection includes some duplicates, several of which are damaged or in poor condition. A protected set of yearbooks is available in the library office. To see one of these, please ask the librarian.

• Children's Collection This collection of picture books and children's classics includes about 100 items. It supports the Child Care and Development curriculum, as well as other classes.

  
  

Collection Development

The collection is continually reviewed and updated in a process called collection development, which is supported by the Board of Education and the high school administration. Collection development is actually a two-part process that includes weeding and acquisitions. Weeding is the process by which the existing collection is reviewed so that out-of-date or damaged material can be removed. This is a vital process that ensures that our students have access to materials that are most appropriate for them according to our curriculum. Weeding provides space for newer materials, as well as making sure that mis-information is not available.The acquisitions process takes many forms. Librarians constantly read reviews and base most material purchases on these. A certain amount of the new material purchases each year consists of newer, up-to-date editions of materials already owned (and to be weeded) as well as replacement of lost or damaged items. Students and staff are always invited to suggest titles for purchase. Donations of material for the library are gladly accepted as long as they meet our criteria. (For example, old science books would not be accepted. Also, the library has no need for back issues of any magazine, including National Geographic.) Suggested titles and donated material are always subject to the librarians' review before they can be added to the collection. In almost every case, the decision to purchase new material for the library is based on the curriculum needs of the school. Parents or community members with questions about library materials should contact Ms. Bauman at (201) 794-5450, ext. 2428.