Using the Libby App to Check Out Public Library Books Online

Libby is an easy-to-use, FREE app for iOS and Android devices that gives public library users access to e-books and digital audio books.

What You Need to Use Libby

Public Library Card: For Memphis Public Libraries users, the library card number is printed on the back of the card under the barcode. Your card must be up-to-date. If your card is expired, Libby won’t work.

DON’T HAVE A LIBRARY CARD? Card expired or lost? You can apply for a library card online on the Memphis Public Library website. You will receive a library card number you can use for the e-collection (including Libby) immediately.

Library Card PIN: For Memphis Public Library users, the PIN is usually the last four digits of your library card number.

Libby App: Search for Libby wherever you get apps for your device.

Setting Up Libby

Set up is simple. You will be prompted to select your library and enter your library card number along with your PIN (for MPL users the PIN is usually the last four digits of your library card number). You will only need to enter this information once (per device).

Using Libby

Here’s a brief video showing how to use Libby:

Pro-Tips

• You can add a second library card to Libby if another user shares the device.

• You can return your check-out early if you finish before it’s due. You can also renew your digital check-out as long as no one has a hold on it.

• You can adjust preferences to search more efficiently, such as only searching books that are Available Now (so it won’t display books that are currently checked out), or for a specific Audience (Juvenile, Young Adult, General, etc.), or selecting a preferred format (Books or Audiobooks).

You’re always welcome to email me (library@memphismontessori.org) if you have any questions. You can also try MPL’s E-Collection Support.

MMS Library Offers Book Delivery

NOTE: Library Book Delivery is a service offered during remote learning. It is currently suspended.

The Safer at Home order allows Memphis businesses to "provide goods and services ... through curb side pickup, drive-thru, shipment or delivery." Considering that the books in the MMS Library have not circulated since March 7, Cat has decided to make these books available to MMS families through delivery to Midtown, Downtown/Mud Island, and East Memphis. If you live outside the delivery area, you can email library@memphismontessori.org to schedule a pick-up from Cat's porch in Midtown.

Place holds or requests by Tuesday to receive delivery later in the week.

Safety First 

• Check-Out Only / No Returns - Best practices for disinfecting library collections prioritize a 24-72 hour quarantine of items over any other method. Cat will only be delivering books that have not circulated within a 72-hour time frame. For now, families will keep the books at home until a to-be-determined future date.

• Sanitized Books - As an additional safety measure, Cat will be using disinfecting wipes to sanitize the book covers after she has handled them.

• No Contact Exchange - Cat will leave books on porch and notify families by text when the books have been delivered.

How It Works

• Request books through the MMS Library Online Catalog.

  • Use the Place Hold button to request a book. This options requires a Family Account or Student Account (Magnolia only).
    OR

  • Use the Ask About This button to email a request.  

• Make sure your contact information is correct in Transparent Classroom. Cat will need to know your current address and cell phone number.

• Be prepared to pick up the books from your porch or doorstep on delivery day.

More Details

• Library Accounts - Necessary to place a hold. All Magnolia students already have a library account. A Magnolia student's PatronID is their first name. Use the MMS Library Family Account Request Form to sign up for a family library account.

• Limits - For now, each account can check out 1 book per week. This number is subject to change.

• Subject to Change - As this service is put into practice, it may be necessary to make some changes. Your patience is appreciated. 

You’re welcome to email me (library@memphismontessori.org) if you have any questions. 

Online Resources from Memphis Public Libraries

Posted by Cat Hazelton on March 19, 2020

Before I began my dream job at Midtown Montessori School, I worked with Memphis Public Libraries at the reference desk at Bartlett Public Library. During my time working there I was surprised to discover how many people were unaware of all the great digital resources the library provides for FREE. All you need is a library card number (and you can apply for a card online, by the way) in order to get started using the Memphis Public Libraries E-Collection, research databases, online encyclopedia, language-learning software (the fancy kind that will help you with your pronunciation if you want), digital archives, and more.

Below you’ll find a list of some of my favorites that I thought may be of interest to some of you—especially during this time of social distancing and remote learning.

---

E-Books & Digital Audiobooks: Download the Libby app and check out e-books and digital audiobooks from the library—for FREE! You'll need your library card number and PIN (your PIN is most likely the last four digits of the your library card number).
https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/

Magazines: From the eCollection page you can access 3000+ different magazine titles. Bilingual folks, you can use a filter to display magazine titles available in your language of choice, too. You'll need a library card number and I think you'll need to set up a free account.
https://memphislibrary.com/ecollection

MPL News Stand: With your library card number you can read the New York Times and the Commercial Appeal online.
http://www.memphislibrary.org/newsstand/

901 Voices: Do you like StoryCorps? Try listening to some of these Memphis and Shelby County oral histories. http://www.memphislibrary.org/resources/history-and-genealogy/901voices/

WYPL & TV 18: Listen to WYPL Radio or Watch TV 18 online. WYPL FM offers programming as a reading service [volunteers reading books and newspapers] and your Memphis music connection. The Library Channel is the Memphis Libraries’ government access and community interest station.
http://www.memphislibrary.org/wypl/

Learn: There is simply too much to list here. The Learn page has links to research databases and other learning resources. I personally enjoy Transparent Language for foreign language learning; Lynda.com for gaining new tech skills, or improving existing ones; and I love browsing Dig Memphis Digital Archives, which has some fascinating collections--topics range from Memphis Restaurant Menus to the Sanitation Strike.
http://www.memphislibrary.org/learn/

Children - Learn: If you want to add some variety to your kids' screen time allotment, here are some educational and engaging options to peruse. World Book, for one, offers games, puzzles, and ebooks in addition to age-appropriate encyclopedia entries. http://www.memphislibrary.org/children/learn/

You’re welcome to email me (library@memphismontessori.org) if you have any questions, or try MPL E-Collection Support.

MMS Library Family Accounts & Online Catalog

NOTE: This post has been updated for the 2020-2021 school year.

• MMS families are invited to check out books for parents, an MMS sibling, or an MMS student to read at home.

• Books and materials can be requested through our online catalog (MMS Online Catalog).

• Books and materials can be picked-up or returned during the morning car line or between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:30 PM on school days.

• To get started, use the linked Library Account Form to request a family library account.

• The MMS Library maintains a collection for parents and MMS staff that includes books on Montessori education, parenting, child development, and education. Click to browse our Parent Teacher Collection.

• Email Cat (library@memphismontessori.org) if you have any questions about the library or setting up a library account for your family.

Birthday Celebration Basics

This post has been updated for the 2020-2021 school year.

• Photographs of each year of the child's life so far are shared during the celebration. Be sure you have provided those photos to the classroom in advance.

• The birthday child is also asked to donate a new or gently used book to the school on their birthday. Cat maintains a wish list for our library if you are in need of inspiration.

• Check with your child’s teacher about specifics of the birthday celebration other than scheduling, which is handled by the office.

• IMPORTANT: Families should contact the MMS Office (info@memphismontessori.org) well in advance to schedule the date for the celebration.

Valentine's Day & Bake Sale Fundraiser

Valentine's Day 

NOTE: This post has not yet been updated for the 2020-2021 school year. Expect changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Please send handmade valentines. Although Pinterest can be a great source of inspiration, the student's valentines need not be Pinterest-worthy unless that level of work is enjoyable for them.

• The students will be decorating bags at school that will be used to transport their valentines home. 

• If you plan to include a small treat, please be mindful that some of our community members have serious nut allergies. Read labels carefully. Rulers, erasers, pencils are popular non-edible options to consider in lieu of a treat. Valentine's treats will not be consumed on school premises; students will bring them home.

• Students who can sign their names or are learning to write their names are encouraged to sign their cards.

• Valentines may be addressed "To a Friend" or personalized for each student.

  • Need a list of your student's classmates' names?
    Check Classmates page in Transparent Classroom for a list of your student's classmates. To access the list, click on the Classmates icon (pictured below) on the left of the Transparent Classroom home page.

Valentine’s Day Bake Sale Fundraiser

NOTE: We will skip the annual Valentine’s Day Bake Sale Fundraiser during the 2020-2021 school year.

Our Valentine's Day Bake Sale fundraiser has become an annual tradition. Students and MMS families make delicious treats, which are sold to MMS families during walk-up pick-up. 

• For this event, we will be accepting cash, checks, and cards.

• Looking to earn Community Hours? The Valentine's Day Bake Sale (2019-20) sign up includes slots for donating baked goods, volunteering to set up, volunteering to be cashier, and volunteering to clean up afterwards.

• All donations should be ready for sale and in containers that can be sold with the item. Selecting prices and pricing the items in advance is optional—we can determine prices on your behalf if you prefer.

• Cookies can be sold individually or wrapped together with others.

• IMPORTANT: Please label everything clearly as "Contains Nuts" or "Nut Free" as we have students with life threatening food allergies.

Clean & Healthy Environment

NOTE: This post has not been updated for the 2020-2021 school year. Please visit our COVID-19 Resources & Information webpage for more up-to-date details regarding hygiene and sanitation at MMS, especially with regards to COVID-19 safety measures.

At Midtown Montessori we are devoted to maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Although illness cannot be completely eliminated through hygiene and sanitation, we make every effort to clean, disinfect, and sanitize our environment in order to minimize the spread of germs. These measures are informed by Tennessee Department of Health regulations. A few of our practices are listed below: 

• Hand-washing before and after eating, after arriving at school, and after returning from outdoors.

• Dishes, including dishes that students have already washed by hand, are washed for two complete cycles in a commercial dishwasher using a safe, restaurant-grade sanitizer. 

• Bathrooms are checked and cleaned at least six times a day. The frequency of bathroom checks is increased if there is a concern that a contagious disease could be circulating.

• Tables are cleaned with a Mrs. Meyers soap solution, then sanitized (per Department of Health guidelines) each morning, before and after lunch, and the end of the day.

• Shelves are cleaned and dusted weekly.

• Students are specifically instructed in sanitation procedures when prepping food and/or science materials.

Extracurricular Basics

Sunfish Theatre’s Erin Lindberg with MMS Elementary Theatre (Improv) students after a performance in December 2019.

NOTE: Extracurriculars have been suspended for the 2020-2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Extracurricular classes for Spring 2020 include Acting (Primary), Acting (Elementary), and Chess Club (Elementary). Soccer Shots (Primary) will also be offered when the weather gets warmer.

• Extracurricular classes take place on site, but are usually offered by community partners. Registration and payment are generally handled by the business offering the class (such as Sunfish Children's Theatre, Mid-South Chess, Soccer Shots, etc.).

• Students are checked into Extended Day where they are supervised until their extracurricular class begins at 4:00.

• IMPORTANT: Students should bring an extra snack to have after school and before their extracurricular begins.

• Extracurricular Pick-Up: The car line for extracurricular pick up forms at the side door (on the east side of the building) and exits on Galloway.