About the Library

Meadows Library is a joint public and high school library, funded in partnership by the City of Midlothian and Midlothian ISD.  The library is located at Midlothian High School but is open to the public during and after school hours.  Borrowing privileges are extended to local residents and MISD students and staff.  

Library Book Limit
Students may check out five physical library books at a time.

Length of Checkout Period
Library books are due three weeks from the day they are checked out. If a student would like more time to read a book, they are welcome to renew the book up to two times for a total of nine weeks.  Items with holds on them may not be renewed.

Items Available for Checkout
Students can check out physical books from the library, excluding adult fiction and nonfiction/biography, which are marked as public only.  Makerspace items can be checked out for use in the library.  Ebooks and digital audiobooks are available for checkout through Sora.  Students are not allowed to check out DVDs, books on CD, or books marked as public library only.

Overdue, Lost, and Damaged Library Books
At the time a library book is checked out, a receipt is provided with a "due date". Students are responsible for returning books on time according to this receipt and should contact the library to renew items up the allowed number of times. Students will be expected to pay for the replacement cost of lost or damaged books. All payments must be made in cash in the library.

Printing & Copies
Because this is a joint public/school library, students have access to computers with printing capabilities and the ability to make copies if needed.  Please be aware that color printing/copies are not available.  There is a $.10 per page charge for any black & white prints/copies.  Cash payment is required at the time of the print/copy; change can be given.  Students will need to check in at the circulation desk before using a library computer.

Equipment Checkout Procedures
To assure that equipment will be available when needed, be sure to make reservations at least one week in advance, when possible. Please call x5211 or email Julie Post, Risa Ashley, or Leigha Buchtel.

Reserving a Cart of Books for Your Classroom
Teachers may check out a cart of books on a subject being studied in class. Teachers are asked to consult with  Julie Post, Risa Ashley, or Leigha Buchtel at least one week prior to the date when the books will be used. This is to ensure that the appropriate materials will be available. At the time of checkout, teachers will be given a list of all books checked out in their name.

Reserving the Library
Teachers may request that a section of library tables or one of the rooms be reserved for specific classes on specific days. This should be done at least one week in advance, when possible, to ensure that space and materials will be available. However, teachers should be aware that since the Library operates on a completely flexible schedule, students with passes from other classes will be admitted to the library throughout the school day. The library is also open to public patrons Monday-Thursday. To reserve spaces, please fill out this FORM, call x5211, or email Julie Post, Risa Ashley, or Leigha Buchtel.

Before School:  The library is open before school for students who need a place to work, want to read, or need a place to collaborate.  Morning visitors must be purposeful and not disruptive to others.  

During the School Day:  Students may visit the library as a class or individually with their ID and a teacher PASS.   All students must be purposeful and not disruptive to others. 

During Lunch:  Students may visit the library during their lunch period with a library-issued pass (see library staff about pass) although eating is not allowed at this time. Students are not permitted to move seating and should not be disruptive.  Students are responsible for cleaning their areas before leaving. 

After School:  At this time, the library is open to the public Monday - Thursday until 7pm.  The doors connecting the library and school will close at 4pm; however, students can enter the library via the public entrance to the left of main MHS rotunda.  The library does close at 4pm on Fridays.

Anytime students visit the library during school hours they must have their school ID.

To Ask for Assistance:  Students and staff are welcome to visit the library for limited technical support, online resources, ideas, etc.

To Read/Study/Collaborate:  Students are welcome to visit the library to independently read and study, or work collaboratively with a group of other students.  Collaborative work should not be disruptive to others.

To Explore the Makerspace:  Students can utilize the makerspace activities when the makerspace is open.  For more information, check out the Makerspace page.

To Check Out E-books:  Students and staff can visit the library to learn how to check out e-books from laptops or from other personal devices.

To Check Out Physical Books:  Students and staff are welcome to check out materials from the library.  

• Visitors must be purposeful and not disruptive to others.
• Visitors must be respectful of the facility and resources and return furniture, activities, etc., to the original state before leaving.
• Visitors may use devices for school purposes such as communication, product creation, or reading/research. 
• Visitors should not bring food to the library.

How can I find books?

• Fiction - Young Adult fiction books are shelved by Genre and then the author's last name. MHS genres include Science Fiction, Fantasy, Scary, Graphic Novels, Manga, Classics, Mysteries, Realistic Fiction, Adventure, Sports, Humor, Romance, Star Wars, Spanish, and Historical Fiction.  Middle grade fiction (JUV) are arranged by author last name.  
• Spanish - There is a growing section of Spanish fiction, nonfiction, and biographies.
• MHS Biography - Books are shelved by the subject's last name. These books have blue dots on the spine.
• MHS Nonfiction - Books are arranged using the Dewey system. These books have blue dots on the spine.
• Ebooks & Digital Audiobooks - These books are available through Sora.

Adult fiction, Public Library Biographies, and Public Library Nonfiction are only available to public patrons with a public library card. MHS students with a public library card can checkout these items during public only library hours (M-Th 4-7, Sat 10-4). 

Students are encouraged to use their school issued laptops to look up physical books online in the Destiny catalog.  

For help on using the Destiny catalog and Sora, please visit our Help page.