VHHSFC Library Home

Checkouts:  You may check out up to 3 books at a time; books are due after 2 weeks.

Renewals:  You may renew books if no one else has reserved them.  Please bring the book with you to renew it.

Overdue Materials:  We will send you a courtesy reminder if your materials are overdue.  We do not charge fines.  To find out if your book is overdue, you may login to Destiny and open the "My info" tab or stop by the library.

Chromebooks: Your device should be with you everyday and charged. If a device is damaged beyond repair or lost there is a replacement cost of $350. If a charger is lost or damaged there is a replacement cost of $25. 

Cell Phones:  The FOCUS Act requires all phones to be powered off and put away in a backpack or purse.  Phones will be confiscated, and you will be asked to return to class if in violation of this policy. 

Library Etiquette: No eating or drinking will be allowed in the library.

Please do not move any of the library furniture or chairs from assigned tables. You will be asked to leave the library if you cannot comply with these requests. Please pick up after yourself.  Do not leave games out or trash on the tables.

Printing:  Copies and  double-sided copies are 25 cents each. Color copies are 50 cents per page.  

Find a physical book in the library by clicking the Destiny icon on Classlink.

Find an ebook by clicking the Sora icon on Classlink. Learn more about using Sora here. 

Sora eBooks and Audiobooks

To Access Ebooks & Audiobooks using SORA on your smartphone:

Install the Sora app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

In Sora, find Vestavia Hills City School District, then sign in using your school login credentials. To expand your options, add a public library, the Jefferson County Library Cooperative. You will be able to access these materials without the extra hassle of a library card.

To browse/borrow a book, simply scroll. There are monthly featured titles, and books are also organized by subjects. Simply click the book cover to access the book description, read a sample or borrow to open and start reading right away.

Inside an open book, you can access features such as bookmarks, adjust reading settings and find other tips and secrets by clicking the ≡ at the top right.

Close the book and click loans to go to your shelf to see all your books. From there, you can tap open book/audiobook to read or listen to the borrowed book. Tap options to return or renew the book, get to your notes and highlights, and more. Please be courteous and return the book as soon as you are finished. All titles are defaulted to be returned after 14 days.

To Access Ebooks & Audiobooks using SORA on your chromebook:

You can also access Sora directly from Classlink. 

Library in the Forest

Students can access additional digital resources through Vestavia Hills' Library in the Forest. This includes ebooks and downloadable audiobooks through Overdrive and Hoopla, movies and documentaries through Hoopla and Kanopy, research through AVL and the Library's databases, and online instruction through Universal Class. You can find all of these, a calendar of upcoming events and more here. 

This requires the use of a Library card. If you do not have a current Library card, you can apply for a library card here. https://vestavialibrary.org/library-membership/  You will need a driver's license or a parent to apply for you.  

Alabama Virtual Library

Infobase Books

JSTOR

Username: vestaviahs 
Password: vhhsrebels

Bloom’s Literature

Bloom's Literature is a great resource for all things English.

Username: vestaviahs 
Password: vhhsrebels

Black and white printouts are 25 cents per page. 

Color printouts are 50 cents per page. 

The WEPA print kiosk near the lunchroom is 8 cents per page. 

Click here to view a tutorial on citing sources.

Use this EASY infographic from EasyBib to help cite your sources!

Citing eBooks

Cite the eBook as you would a book.  Then add the publisher (Rosen or Mason Crest) and the URL.  This is a sample.  Look at your specific book for the details. For example:

Mapua, Jeff. Coping with Cyberbulling. Rosen Young Adult, 2018. Rosen, 

             http://www.epointplus.com/viewer/9781508173908/.

Tips for Identifying Fake News

Source: On The Media (onthemedia.org)

1. Watch for red flags — ALL CAPS text or obviously photoshopped images are warning signs.
2. Too many pop-ups and banner ads? That's a good sign the story is clickbait.
3. Check the domain. Fake sites often mimic trusted brands by adding ".co" (e.g., "abcnews.com.co").
4. Investigate unfamiliar sites. Check their "About" page, then Google the site name along with the word "fake."
5. Follow the links. If a story has no links, quotes, or references — or the links lead to more garbage — that's a red flag.
6. Verify with other sources. An unlikely story should be confirmed by a reputable outlet reporting the same thing.
7. Check the date. Old stories often resurface on social media out of context.
8. Read past headlines. They may not match the content that follows.
9. Reverse-search photos. Use a tool like TinEye to check if an image is misidentified or outdated.
10. Do a gut check. If a story makes you angry, it may be designed to provoke rather than inform.
11. When in doubt, don't share it.

Evaluating Sources: The C.R.A.A.P. Test

C — Currency
Is the publication recent? Is a copyright or publish date provided?

R — Relevance
Does the source answer your research question and relate to your topic?

A — Authority
Does the author have the credibility and expertise to write on this subject?

A — Accuracy
Is the information supported by evidence? Can it be verified in another source?

P — Purpose
Is the author's purpose clear — to inform, entertain, persuade, or sell?