KST Library
Libraries are the memory of humankind, irreplaceable repositories of documents of human thought and action.
“NYPL”
The mission of the Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School Library is to be an information center for the student and faculty community in order to preserve and encourage the free expression of ideas essential to an informed citizenry.
In order that enlightenment and literacy may flourish in our school and community, the Library dedicates itself to collecting and distributing an array of information and ideas that is diverse in material, varied in formats, and rich in viewpoint, reflecting the multicultural character of the student community and the world in which they serve. The Library provides free, equal, and confidential access to its resources and services. Essential to this mission is the active promotion of library services combined with extraordinary efforts to offer superior intellectual stimulation, information, and enjoyment to the student community to help them enhance their lives!
The Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School library is an integral part of the school's academic and intellectual structure. Librarians and teachers work together to prepare our students for life-long learning, informed decision making and productive use of information technology.
Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School library is located in the Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School and is open Monday-Friday, 6:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The library offers a wide collection of books & magazines, as well as videos and electronic resources. The library has a full computer lab. Available software includes Microsoft Office 2007, Accelerated Reader, and a foreign language program. Databases appropriate for younger users include SIRS Discoverer, World Book On-line Encyclopedia and Rosen‘s Teen Health and Wellness databases.
The library is easily accessible to all school students and faculty. Online databases, and book collections are focused on students and faculty needs and offers a wide variety of resources including books, reference E-books, magazines & newspapers, electronic databases and videos & DVDs. Thirteen computer workstations are housed within the library available for student and faculty use. Scanners, laser and color printers and additional peripherals are also available. Loaded software includes Microsoft Office 2007, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier, Roxio CD Creator, Geometry Sketchpad, Logger-Pro, Inspiration, and Express Scribe. The constantly updated equipment and software is paired with a variety of databases that are accessible from home through secured access.
Assistive Technology
Assistive technology (AT) devices can enable people with disabilities to take advantage of library resources, including printed texts and electronic information. As part of the Kenilworth Charter School’s commitment to assisting students with special needs, the library has designated a workstation specifically for this purpose, called the Assistive Technology Station.
Kenilworth Students desiring to use the resources must be given a personal computer account login to use the equipment.
The key elements of the assistive technology station, which sits on top of an electrically height-adjustable desk to accommodate wheel chairs of any size includes the following.
Station configurations:
Dell Pentium IV computer with a 19" flat-panel monitor
CD/DVD drive with read/write capability
Gooseneck desktop microphone
Headset with microphone
Desktop speakers
High-resolution scanner
Handheld electronic text/image magnifier
Internet access
Black & white or color printing
Special adaptive computer programs available:
Common Windows applications (e.g., Office, Media Player)
Tracker Pro is a head operated mouse that uses eye retina calibration to give mouse control to people with Quadriplegia, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, ALS, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and any other disability where the user has little or no control of their hands to use a standard mouse
MagicCursor provides mouse button functions through dwelling or gesturing. It is an ideal companion for Tracker Pro, a head operated mouse. Instead of clicking the mouse button, the student will simply dwell over the item they want to select. After a preset amount of time, MagicCursor will automatically perform the click.
ScreenDoors 2000 is an on-screen keyboard for people using a headpointer like Tracker or a mouse alternative like WISP, a trackball, joystick, or touch window. Instead of pushing keys on a real keyboard, one may simply point and click on a picture of a keyboard on the computer screen. ScreenDoors 2000 acts just like the real keyboard typing directly into any application. A list of predicted words actually guesses what is being typed to help speed entry. It is ideally suited for individuals with Quadriplegia, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular dystrophy, ALS, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and any other disability where the user has little or no control of their hands to use a standard keyboard.
WordRead Version 2 allows text on the PC’s screen to be spoken back in a natural human-quality voice. It is simple to use, and there is no need to copy and paste text into a separate window. One may proof read and “listen to” Word documents, e-mails, epages, spreadsheets, presentations and accessible PDF files. It is also useful for those with reading difficulties.
Gus! Dwell Cursor provides a practical method of activating mouse button clicks (click, double click etc.) for users who have difficulty accessing standard mouse buttons, or who use a "head pointing device" that remotely controls the cursor. Using a ‘head pointing device’ the user can move the cursor over any item on the screen and wait for a moment or two and a click action will occur at that position.
Other AT equipment:
Height Adjustable tables.
To further aid students, large print edition dictionaries, thesauri, etc.
Leading the school with a focus on the needs of all the students and faculty, the Kenilworth Science and Technology Library strives to enhance advanced opportunities in scientific and technological research and learning.
Additional information on specific resources and access is available to students, parents and staff via the Kenilworth portals.