Student Handbook - The Taft School

SCHOOL SERVICES
COLLEGE COUNSELING
The College Counseling Office at Taft assists all families by offering a comprehensive college planning
sequence of academic-day programs, evening meetings, and various workshops to inform the
community and to help students assess interests, identify appropriate colleges and universities, research
options, apply effectively, and prepare to make the transition to college life.
The director of college counseling and his associates begin the formal college counseling process
by meeting individually with uppermids at the start of the second semester. From that point forward
they meet or speak frequently with uppermids, seniors, and their parents to answer questions, offer
suggestions, and tailor each college search to individual needs and circumstances.
Students draw on a variety of resources including frequent visits by college representatives; a library
of college catalogs and informational materials; Internet resources; and various guides to college
selection, scholarships, financial aid, standardized testing, and athletics. In addition, a web-based
program called, “the Family Connection,” provides profiles of successful Taft applicants to specific
colleges and helps each student to manage effectively his or her personal college search, application,
and selection process.
More detailed information about the College Counseling program at Taft can be found on the
Taft website at: www.TaftSchool.org/academics/college_counseling.aspx
THE LIBRARY
The Hulbert Taft, Jr., Library plays a central role in the educational and cultural life of the school.
The library houses a large collection of scholarly and academic books as well as an assortment of
current best sellers, current and bound journals and magazines, DVDs, videocassettes and CDs, and
provides access to a wide variety of electronic resources. The library is not only a place for research
and study but also a place for relaxation and leisure reading.
The library staff is always available to answer questions, assist in locating material, or recommend
resources for projects and research papers. Most students will be formally introduced to the library
in an academic class, but the staff encourages any student to come in for a personal tour and introduction
whenever she or he wishes.
All library users are requested to help maintain a comfortably quiet atmosphere that allows both
serious study and relaxation. To that end, the Belcher Reading Room is designated as a place for
silent study; in the rest of the library, students may talk quietly as long as they do not disturb others.
Small group study rooms are available for students who need to work together on a project and,
therefore, not disturb others. Food and drink are not allowed in the group study rooms.
STUDENT SERVICES
Circulation Policies
Books may be borrowed for 4 weeks and may be renewed if not requested by someone else. Borrowers
may renew their materials online at the library home page or by contacting the circulation desk
at extension 7780. DVDs, videocassettes, and CDs may be borrowed for 7 days; audiotapes and
Jackdaws for 14 days. Reference books and periodicals do not circulate.
Reserve Materials: Materials on reserve may be designated as “closed” or “overnight.” Closed
reserve materials may be used only in the library, and for a specified length of time, depending on
the material. Overnight reserves may be used in the library during the day and borrowed overnight
Student Handbook 2010–11
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