Library FAQs for Students

WHAT’S IN THE DMS LIBRARY COLLECTION?

The DMS Library collection has almost 14,000 books (fiction, nonfiction, reference and biography) and 10 magazine subscriptions (including “Sports Illustrated for Kids,” “National Geographic for Kids,” “Popular Science,” “Faces,” and more)! The Library also has a subscription to the EBSCOhost - an online database that gives you access to lots of different magazines, newspapers, biographies, encyclopedia articles, and more!

CAN I CHECK-OUT A REFERENCE BOOK?

Books in the Reference collection are mainly for use in the Library. If you need information in a Reference book for an assignment, please check with the Librarian. Depending on the book, you may be able to check it out for a short amount of time; if not, the Librarian can photocopy the important information for you.

WHAT IF THE BOOK THAT I WANT IS ALREADY CHECKED-OUT TO ANOTHER STUDENT?

If you want to borrow a book that is currently checked-out to another student, let the Librarian know! The Librarian can put your name on the request list for the book. As soon as the book is returned, the Librarian will deliver the book to you.

WHAT IF THE DMS LIBRARY DOESN’T OWN A COPY OF THE BOOK THAT I WANT?

The DMS Library Catalog is connected to the Dover Public Library and the other school libraries in town. If one of those libraries owns a book that you would like to read, let the Librarian know! The Librarian can request the book from the other library for you. The book will be delivered to DMS and the Librarian will deliver it to you!

WHAT IF I WANT TO CHECK-OUT A BOOKWHILE THE LIBRARIAN IS BUSY/TEACHING A CLASS?

If the Librarian is unable to check-out your book, please fill out one of the green slips of paper in the basket on top of the Circulation Desk. Please remember to write down your name, the title of the book, and the book’s barcode number. When you’ve finished filling out the entire form, place the paper in front of the Circulation Desk computer (next to the mouse pad). Thank you!

WHEN IS MY LIBRARY BOOK DUE?

Books are checked out for three weeks. The librarian can renew your book for an additional two weeks if no other students have requested the book.

DOES THE DMS LIBRARY CHARGE FINES FOR OVERDUE BOOKS?

DMS does not charge fines for overdue materials, but please do your best to return books on time! ALL materials must be returned by the end of the school year. You are responsible for paying for or replacing any lost or damaged materials.

DO THE OTHER DOVER LIBRARIES CHARGE FINES FOR OVERDUE BOOKS?

Please remember that the Dover Public Library DOES charges fines for overdue materials (EVEN if the book was ordered and checked-out by the DMS Library). The Dover Public Library charges $0.25 per day for overdue books and $1.00 per day for overdue DVDs. Fines cannot be waived by the DMS Library.

There are no fines for overdue materials borrowed from the high school or elementary schools in Dover, but please do your best to return your books on time!

WHERE DO I RETURN MY LIBRARY BOOKS?

There are many different options for returning your Library books! You can return your Library books to ANY library in Dover and we will return them to the right Library for you! For example, if you have a Library book from the Dover Public Library, you can return it here at DMS - the Librarian will check-in the book and send it back to the Dover Public Library for you!

Here at DMS,please return your books in the return slot at the Circulation Desk in the Library. Please do not return books by leaving them on top of the Circulation Desk or on a cart in the Library - someone else might take your book to look at before the Librarian can remove the book from your Library record!

HOW CAN I LOOK AT MY OWN LIBRARY RECORD?

You can look at your own Library record online at school or from home! Start at the DMS Library webpage, and click on “Library Catalog,” then “My Account.” Sign in to your account with your Library barcode number (this number can be found on your public Library card). If you are not sure of your number, the Librarian can look it up and write it down for you. From your Library record, you can see what books you have checked-out and when they are due, renew books, reserve books, and see if you have any fines!

WHAT IF I WANT TO SUGGEST A BOOK TO ADD TO THE DMS LIBRARY COLLECTION?

Have you heard of an interesting new book that has just been published? Do you know of a good book that you think should be in the DMS Library? Are there any subjects that you wish we had more books about? Fill out a “Book Suggestion Slip” with your name, the title and author of the book, or the book’s subject, and drop it into the “Book Suggestion Box” (located near the Circulation Desk in the Library). If the book will make a good addition to the DMS Library, the Librarian will purchase it, and you will be the first to check it out from the Library!