Williamsport Area Middle School Library

About the Collection

The WAMS Library contains over 13,000 titles available in various formats including print, audio, and eBook. New titles are constantly being added based on student interest, curricular needs, and updated nonfiction information. Check the link to our Destiny library homepage to search the collection and navigate digital resources.

Our collection is organized and curated based on the following categories:

Fiction             
Organized by genre, this collection is constantly being updated with new titles. Genres include historical, realistic, humor, sports, survival, suspense, supernatural, fantasy, and science fiction. These genres help students locate sections of books that coincide with the types of stories they like and allow them to find others in their interest areas. We also have a Quick Read section for shorter novels, and an Everybody section with picture books.
Nonfiction
From cars to animals to biographies, the nonfiction section has something about every topic for independent reading for students! The nonfiction collection also contains many up-to-date texts used for research for classes and personal use, including topics such as careers, history, science, sports, culture, and much more.
Graphic Novels 
We offer an extensive graphic novel collection in our Reading Room! Titles in this section range from fiction (of any genre), nonfiction (biography/memoir, history, and more), and some comics and manga.
Magazines 
We offer a small variety that can be checked out. Titles include Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, Car and Driver, DirtWheels, J-14, Make, Motocross, Pennsylvania Game News, Slam, Sports Illustrated, Thrasher, and The Week: Junior. Magazines are placed in protective pouches when checked out.
Digital Resources 
Within our collection, we have links to many audiobooks and eBooks that can be viewed and accessed via our Destiny catalog. Additionally, on student dashboards, check out the MackinVIA app for eBooks and audiobooks, or the ComicsPlus app for comics, graphic novels, and manga.
Technology 
The library also houses our loaner Chromebooks for students who forget theirs for the day or have a technical issue with their assigned Chromebook that needs to be addressed.

Teaching & Student Support

Support & Collaboration with Teachers: Mrs. Cajka works with staff in all departments to collaborate on lessons involving reading, writing and research. Lessons include topics such as website reliability, keyword and search strategies, accessing and navigating databases, citations and formatting in MLA and APA, professional and technical writing (resumes, cover letters, etc.), digital literacy, and more. Mrs. Cajka also offers co-teaching/classroom support for writing of any kind, reading, finding resources and teaching strategies, and differentiating lesson materials.

Student Support: Students are welcome to come to the library or reach out via email/Schoology to work with the librarian for academic or personal needs. Mrs. Cajka can help with writing/editing essays, MLA and APA formatting and citations, presentations and public speaking, reading and finding books to read, support with job applications/resumes/cover letters, and any other general help with schoolwork.

Library Use & Procedures

Checking Out and Returning Materials: Students must check out all physical materials at the circulation desk. Books and magazines are due two weeks after they are checked out. Books can be renewed via the Destiny app or by coming to the library. Students may check out up to three books at a time if they do not have library fines on their account. Books should be returned to the 7th or 8th-grade hallway book drops or in the book drop at the circulation desk inside of the library. Library obligations (overdue notices and fines for books and Chromebooks) are emailed to students each week.

Using the Library Independently: Students may use the library’s Reading Room for independent reading or work time with classroom teacher permission.
Behavior Expectations: With permission from teachers, students may come to the library throughout the day. They must sign in using the sheets on the end of the circulation desk when they arrive. Students should always be quiet and respectful, and they may not interact with or distract Mr. Rooks’ UA Technology classes in the library. Students must use the sign-out sheet at the circulation desk to leave and return to the library for purposes such as the restroom or the water fountain.

Chromebooks:
Students can bring damaged/malfunctioning Chromebooks to the library.

  • If they are not able to be fixed by the library staff, they will be worked on by the tech department.
  • Students will receive a loaner Chromebook. When their Chromebook is fixed, we will notify students via Schoology, and they can pick them up in the library.

Students may come to the library for a loaner Chromebook if they forgot theirs at home.

  • Students should return their loaner to the library before leaving school or leave the Chromebook with their Period 8 teacher.
  • Students may bring their Chromebooks to the library to charge during school if needed. There is a cart by the circulation desk they can use to charge. They can return at the end of the following class and their Chromebook will be charged enough for the rest of the day. They can then return their loaner to get their Chromebook back.

About the Library Staff

Mrs. Savannah Cajka is the librarian at WAMS and WAHS. She comes from a background of teaching high school English and brings many years of expertise in curriculum writing, research, literature, and more to our libraries. She has a B.A. in English Literature from Lycoming College and an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Clarion University. She also has teaching certifications in English, Special Education, and School Librarianship.

Mrs. Justine Hayes is our full-time library aide who works every day in the library. She can assist students with anything they need in the library, including finding books to read, checking books in and out, renewing books, and with any Chromebook issues.