The library aims to provide resources that will enrich, extend and support the total school curriculum, taking into account the varied interests, abilities, skills and maturity levels of the students and the needs of the staff. It is also a recreational and reference centre for the school, placing an additional emphasis on equipping students through resource-based learning program with adequate information skills for life-long learning in an information rich and information dependant world.

During class times classes come with their teachers or no more than 5 students with a request note signed by their teacher. Senior students are welcome to use the Library and Senior Study during study periods. Students may be turned away if the library is very crowded.

Borrowing

Juniors may borrow up to 4 items at once.
Seniors may Borrow up to 6 items at once.

The borrowing period varies up to a maximum of 2 weeks. A fine of 5c per day is charged for overdue items. Items may be renewed if they have not been reserved by others.

Library Cards

All students must be in possession of photo ID cards for borrowing, printing, most photocopying and booking of computers. Senior students need to present their Photo ID card when entering the library during a study period. Cards are only issued to Year 7,Year 10 and newly arrived students in other years. Please look after them as they are expensive to replace.

The Computers

There are 12 networked computers and 1 stand-alone computer available for student use. Students need to know their individual user name and password to log on to any computer within the school. If you do not know this you will need to see the computer co-ordinators.

Access to word processing, many CD-ROMs, e.g., Sydney Morning Herald and encyclopedias, and the Internet (see ELECTRONIC RESOURCES/CURRENT INFORMATION) is possible.

Booking at the circulation desk is essential. Students must be in possession of their ID cards and Internet license cards to use the library computers at before school, recess, and lunchtime. This also applies to senior students during their study periods when computers are available.

Printing ( including colour) is available from the computers through printer/photocopier. Students must have ID cards to access printed material. Costs as per photocopying.

There is a collection of CD-ROMs available for a stand alone computer. Access to these titles is through the Enquiry Terminals.

Oasis Enquiry and a number of CD-ROMs are also available on the school network.

Photocopying and Printing

There are 2 photocopiers in the library for student use. Students need their library ID cards to utilise the colour photocopier. There is also a coin operated copier.

Costs for copying :

Black & White - 20c per page

Colour - A4 Page $1.00, A3 Page $1.50

Electronic Resources

These resources are available on the school network. Students may use them when researching in the library or other areas of the school.

Online Databases

• WEBLINKS Internet directory of websites for Australian School Libraries and curriculum areas. Saves time on-line and helps students quickly find the information they need during a school lesson . It is updated monthly so that websites on topical issues can be accessed.

• MACQUARIENET An Australian online reference library that includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, Hansard, atlases, local, international news services and images.

• www.websterworld.com An online multimedia reference site offering both Australian and world information.

CD-ROM's On The School Network

• SYDNEY MORNING HERALD A database of newspaper articles from the Sydney Morning Herald and Good Weekend Magazine. It is updated quarterly and is backdated to 1996.

• WORLD MAGAZINE BANK A database of magazine articles and/or abstracts from at least 400 magazines from around the world. It is updated quarterly and is backdated, in many cases, to 1990.

• BRITANNICA 2001

• WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA

• ENCARTA 1999

• ENCARTA 2001

• HSC STANDARDS PACKAGES A series of CD-roms titled under each HSC course containing descriptions of the standards of each course, the 2001 examination paper and marking guidelines, reports and samples of responses by students.

• OZJAC

• STARSTRUCK

• VOICES FROM A WAR

• REAL WILD CHILD

• DISCOVERING DEMOCRACY

Other CD-ROM titles may be accessed through the Enquiry terminals and viewed on the stand alone computer in the library.

Pennant Hills High School ("PHHS") Internet License Conditions

PHHS provides student access to the Internet. The Internet is a valuable source of information to support the curriculum. However, as teachers and parents we need to teach students to be responsible users of the technology. The Internet is an extremely valuable resource, but misuse can be damaging and destructive to the school network and computers, consequently all students are required to sign an Internet contract and need to abide by an Internet Code of Conduct. The Internet is provided for school use and can only be used for appropriate curriculum related material. Games sites are considered inappropriate.

NSW Department of Education and Training ("NSW DET") makes an effort to filter inappropriate sites but ultimately the responsibility lies with the individual student, as it is virtually impossible totally to control student access. PHHS will endeavour to monitor student usage of the Internet while the school takes no responsibility for information or materials that are transferred via the Internet.

Should a user happen to find materials which may be deemed inappropriate while using the PHHS Internet account, he or she should leave the page immediately, not download any material in any form and refrain from making others aware of the location of such material. They should immediately inform the teacher or teacher librarians of its presence so that NSW DET can be informed.

The user should also be aware that the transfer or downloading of certain kinds of material is illegal and punishable by a fine or gaol sentence. Any student incurring costs through the school’s Internet connection will be liable. Steps will be taken to recover any such costs incurred.

PHHS strongly condemns illegal distribution of software, otherwise known as ‘pirating’. Any students caught transferring such files through the Internet, by any means, shall have their Internet access revoked immediately. In addition to this all users should be aware that software ‘piracy’ is a Commonwealth offence and will be reported to the appropriate authorities.