Library Media Services
Contact Us!
District Library/Media Specialist, Gwen Hudson
contact for Coolspring, Lake Hills, Marsh, Pine, Barker, and Krueger
(E): ghudson@mcas.k12.in.us
(P): (219) 873-2000, ext. 7360
District Library/Media Center Assistant, Shelly Malott
contact for Edgewood, Joy, Knapp, and Springfield
(E): mmalott01@mcas.k12.in.us
(P): (219) 873-2000, ext. 6331
MCHS Library/Media Center Assistant, Kristi Steinhiser
Contact for Michigan City High School
(E): ksteinhiser01@mcas.k12.in.us
(P): (219) 873-2000, ext. 4432
eBooks
L360
Virtual Libraries
Additional Resources
Reading Levels
MCAS uses multiple programs to determine a student's instructional reading level. Read180 and SRI provide students with a Lexile: STAReader and AR use ATOS. ATOS and Lexiles use different mathematical formulas to determine text readability.
Readability formulas provide an estimate of a book's difficulty based on selected variables in the text, but DO NOT analyze the suitability of the content or the literary merit for individual readers. The school librarian and classroom teacher can assist the student in selecting a book that is just right.
- ATOS - uses the number of characters in a word, the number of words in a sentence, the average grade level of the words in the book and the full text of the book. Renaissance Place also identifies books appropriate for lower grades (LG) middle grades (MG) and upper grades (UG).
- Lexiles - uses word frequency and sentence length within 100 word passages to determine text readability. Lexilies do not identify books appropriate to student grade level.
A readability index is a good starting point for book-selection process. Other factors also affect the relationship between a reader and a book including content, the age and interests of the reader and the design of the actual book. Students who are interested in reading about a specific topic, therefore motivated, are able to read text at a higher level than would be predicted by a readability index.
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Grade Levels, Lexiles* and AR
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* Some text have a non-standard format and cannot accurately show a Lexlie. Those texts include: Adult Directed, Non-Conforming, High-Low, Illustrated Guide, Graphic Novel, Beginning Reading and Non-Prose. More information can be found at Lexlie Codes.
** ZPD (Zone of proximal development) is the optimal range where learning takes place. It is a concept developed by the psychologist Lev Vygotsky.
Copyright Information
Michigan City Area Schools does not condone the illegal use or reproduction of copyrighted materials in any form. It is the intent of the MCAS to adhere to the provisions of the United States Copyright Act and to Congressional guidelines, as set forth in the accompanying administrative guidelines on copyright.*
Click on the links below for additional information and links to copyright free sources.
Audio
MCAS follows the guidelines set forth by the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act, enacted in 2002 for classroom instruction.
Music in the Public Domain (Copyright Free)
Background music and sounds can add interest and intensity to a presentation. The sites listed below are royalty free and can be searched by genre or a mood you are trying to evoke. --Note: Some sites may not be accessible at MCAS due to filter restrictions.
Film
MCAS follows the guidelines set forth by the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act, enacted in 2002 for classroom instruction.
Movies shown as part of instruction in a classroom
Movies can be legally shown in a classroom setting without the additional purchase of a movie license. Movies must be "face-to-face" and shown in the classroom.
MCAS provides an extensive film library that may be accessed through the library management system, Destiny. Contact your building’s librarian or library secretary for more information.
Movies shown as public performances (Family nights, lock-ins etc.)
Movies can be legally shown in a school setting without risking copyright infringement, if you purchase a Public Performance Site License. (faq)
Streaming Video
MCAS has purchased an annual license for staff members from Learn 360, a video streaming service, for classroom use. Many educational and instructional videos can be found at this site. Contact your building's librarian or lab assistant to learn more.
Movies in the Public Domain (Copyright Free)
Approximately 1,969 titles are presently available from the Internet Moving Images Archive, suitable for searching or browsing. This site may not be accessible at MCAS due to filter restrictions
Free educational movies can be viewed at WatchKnowLearn
Graphics
MCAS follows the guidelines set forth by the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act, enacted in 2002 for classroom instruction.
All images from a .gov website are in the public domain and may be used without regard to copyright. This includes all NASA images.
Sites like Disney, Looney Tunes, Peanuts etc. earn revenue from the sale of their graphics & images and do not offer them for free. There are many sites that offer free graphics. A few sites are listed below.
Photo Resources
Text
MCAS follows the guidelines set forth by the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act, enacted in 2002 for classroom instruction.