MCI Library Learning Commons (LLC) exists to support students and staff. It is a place where they can access and evaluate a variety of resources as a way to fulfill the requirements of the curriculum.
As teacher-librarians it is our aim to teach students the research skills needed for the successful acquisition, evaluation and documentation of resources. It is also our aim to encourage literacy through the love of reading by providing a variety of sources both in print and electronic formats.
Here you will find information on resources and documentation plus links to online databases, search engines, ebooks for research and much more.
Library Staff
- Ms. Patras, Department Head and Teacher Librarian
- Ms. Gauthier, Teacher Librarian
- Ms. Lee-Hoang, Library Technician
Library Resources
Library Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Library Rules:
The library is a very busy place especially during lunch periods. Computers are not always available as classes are also booked into the library for teaching and research. Classes have priority. Sometimes we have to close for classes. Please check the white board at the entrance to determine availability.
Students are required to abide by all school rules and conduct of behaviour as outlined in their individual agendas.
Talking and group study is permitted; however, students are asked to be respectful of those studying around them.
Computers are for classes or for doing homework only. No computer games.
Students are asked not to keep their possessions unattended as the library is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.
Students may not skip in the library. Library staff can ask for your timetable at any time.
Students must sign in if on spare.
Services:
Research skills are taught in conjunction with classroom teachers.
Topics taught include:
Grade 9: Orientation to Library
Grades 10-12: Citation
All Grades: Databases, Research Skills, Plagiarism & Web Evaluation
Students must present their student card, timetable or TeachAssist account in order to borrow library material.
To allow everyone an opportunity to access material, you may borrow:
Books up to 5 books at a time - maximum of 3 books on the same topic for a period of 3 weeks
DVDs for 2 days at a time - if signed out on a Friday students are required to return it by the following Monday
Students can renew material before the due date if necessary.
Please return library material on time.
Chromebooks are available for class use only and must be booked by your teacher. Students are responsible for replacing a Chromebook if it is returned damaged or if it goes missing.
Students can print, scan and copy from their account in the Library using the computers or copier machine.
Printing
Students start each semester with preset credit in their print account. If they require additional print credit, they can refill their print account at a coin-operated kiosk in the Library.
one cent per page for black & white (405VIRTPRN printer)
50 cents per page for colour (LIBLX2 printer)
Scanning & Copying
Students must have credit in their print account to use the copier for scanning or copying.
students must log into their account from the copier
select SCAN or COPY and follow instructions on display screen
one cent per page for copying
scanning is free of charge
Please ask library staff if you need assistance.
Steps in the Research Process
Choose your topic
Gather research materials - using both internet and print sources
Use the "better searches, better results" Google tip sheet to help you find the right information
Do background reading
Make sure you are using valid internet sources
Focus research topic by creating a narrowed research question. For example, Topic - polar bears -> becomes research question -> How are polar bears affected by climate change?
Use research notemaking sheets to keep track of information and sources. Use one sheet per source
Finding Resources in the Library
Catalogue Search
Use the computer in the Library or your personal mobile device to search the MCI Library Catalogue for resources.
You can search by: word or phrase, author, title, subject, and series.
For example:
If you search the word "anxiety" and then click on "subject", you will get a list of all available resources in the Library.
On a piece of paper, record the Title and the Call Number (e.g. Title: Anxiety and Panic Attacks - 616.8522 LEV)
The bookshelves are organized by the Dewey Decimal System. On the side of the shelves there is a number. Head towards the section and start to look for your Call Number on the spine of the book.
Online Databases
Go to Online Student Tools.
Click on Gale search for your topic of interest.
Finding Information on the Internet
Finding Information on the Internet
Use Google, Google Scholar and other educational search engines such as Dogpile, RefSeek and Infotopia to search for your topic.
Wikipedia should only be your first stop. You can get an idea of something here, but you should continue your research.
Don't use information from the following websites: Ask.com, YahooAnswers.com, Wikianswers.com, etc. Anyone can post information on these sites!
If you are not sure if you have found a good website, see Evaluating Sources of Information below for tips and handouts.
Evaluating Sources of Information
EBSCO - Looking for Reliable Information
Purdue OWL - Evaluating Sources: Where to Begin
Students are provided with the necessary tools and lessons on how to cite sources properly to avoid plagiarism in their research assignments. They will learn two most commonly used citation styles by writers and researchers: APA and MLA.
What is the difference between APA and MLA?
| Citation Style | APA | MLA |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | APA stands for American Psychological Association. It is a style of formatting academic papers that is used mostly in science and social sciences subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Economics, and Anthropology. | MLA stands for Modern Language Association. It is a style of formatting academic papers that is used mostly in language, arts and humanities subjects such as English, French, Music, Drama, and Philosophy. |
| Resources |