Library Learning Commons

The LLC provides instructional and research materials, including print and electronic resources, to CMHS students and faculty. Follett's Destiny Discover and OverDrive's Sora, our online catalog systems, enable students and faculty to search our collection of print and ebooks. Mrs. Cerruti, the Librarian/Media Specialist, instructs classes and tutors individual students in strategic searching, research skills, and the use of educational resources and technologies.

Library Resources

Find a Book

CMHS Library Catalogs and Checkout Procedures

Click on the Destiny Discover icon above to search for print books available in our CMHS Library.

Click on the Sora icon above to search our new eBook library with over 20,000 titles!

Make a Recommendation

If you can't find a book in our catalog, you can make a recommendation and we'll put it on our Wish List (to be considered for a future book order).

How to Search Destiny Discover

A step-by-step guide on how to search our Destiny Discover catalog (follow the blue links within the graphic for additional information).

Watch this Video on How To Use the Resources above

The library navigation has been updated since this video was created, but the Destiny Discover navigation tips are still very relevant.

Reading Resouces

Good Reads at CMHS Library! blog - Check out our very own CMHS Library blog! Submit a book review to the blog. Leave a comment on someone else's book review. Even earn extra credit in some CMHS classes!

Book Suggestions from Paul Pratt Library - Looking for your next book? Check out the top books checked out at Cohasset's Pratt Library, plus other suggestions.

Young Adult Reading Resources from Paul Pratt Library - Award-winning Young Adult books, as well as other YA resources.

Teen Center at Read.gov - Read.gov encourages everyone to discover the world of books. Here you'll find a variety of free teen reading resources to explore and enjoy.

Intellectual Property

Hour of Code

"Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 21 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations... About 3,300 openings for computer and information research scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade."

(From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.)

CMHS has long been part of the biggest coding event in history! During Computer Science Week (first week of December), we've held multiple Hour of Code events in the Library Lab! Students had the opportunity to code lots of cool computer games such as Minecraft, Star Wars, and Flappy Birds. Check out these historical pics (yes, those are desktops!!!!).

But, you don't have to wait for an organized event. You can join the coding movement, at anytime, on your own!

https://code.org/learn

HS Utility in the Learning Commons

Research Resources

Research Databases

Cross-Disciplinary

Boston Public Library eCard - Sign up for free access to thousands of ebooks, magazines, and databases, including full access to JSTOR and NY Times back to 1851. (Must be 13 years or older and a Massachusetts resident.) Sign up takes minutes... and it's free!!! Once you have your BPL ecard, you can use BPL's Online Resources.
Encyclopedia Britannica School Edition
Encyclopedia Britannica Atlas
Gale Resources - Includes full-text magazines, news, encyclopedias, and e-reference books.
- Password no longer needed while at school!
- Download articles (along with their citations) to Google Drive via the click of a button! Watch
- Gale Google Tools Tutorial Video for info on how to save Gale articles to your Google Drive.
- Students - Tailor your searches to your reading level via the Lexile reading level field under Advanced
- Search. See the Lexile reading level table (1st table on page) to determine an appropriate Lexile range.
JSTOR - Archived Articles Only The gold standard of research databases for humanities, social sciences, and sciences. A comprehensive database of scholarly journals, primary sources, research reports – the works! To access the full paid version of JSTOR, login using your Boston Public Library ecard. (Note: you won’t get far with the free version of JSTOR, so it’s worth logging in with your BPL ecard.)

Language

Science

For all of the Science eBooks listed below (available from the Gale Virtual Reference Library), use the Table of Contents and Index links to find specific subjects within each book.

Biology Explains biological concepts and explores related fields as well as the history of biological science. Discusses critical issues of research in biology and addresses ethical issues. Provides information on careers in biology and contains color illustrations, sidebars, bibliographies, timelines, charts, and a glossary.
Chemical Elements Ebook - Provides in-depth information on 112 known chemical elements, plus coverage of recently discovered elements 113 through 116 and 118.
Science and Its Times - The histories of science, technology, and mathematics merge with the study of humanities and social science in this interdisciplinary reference work. Essays on people, theories, discoveries, and concepts are combined with overviews, bibliographies of primary documents, and chronological elements to offer students a fascinating way to understand the impact of science on the course of human history and how science affects everyday life. Approximately 2,000 entries.
Scientific Thought: In Context - Includes original essays written by leading experts in the field, primary source documents that articulate the interrelation of science and society, and sidebars on the cultural, economic, and political issues surrounding scientific thought -- providing insights on leading social issues and exploring the impact of science on society through the ages.

Social Studies

Research Tools & Videos

General Database Videos

Gale Tutorials

Watch these helpful videos, created by Mrs. Cerruti (CMHS Librarian and Research teacher) to learn how to...

Find credible sources for your research projects (13:11 mins)
Conduct a Gale search and use advanced search features (13:18 mins)
Work with Gale articles (including how to use citation tools) (9:27 mins)

Important Note: The Massachusetts Library System has changed the look of the front page of Gale. The videos are still very relevant, but the initial Gale screens will look different than on the videos.

Citation Tools

MLA Style Guide (9th Edition)

Handy 15-page MLA citation guide created by our very own Ms. McInnis, Ms. Gordon, and Ms. Cerruti. This up-to-date guide (latest update May1, 2024) contains numerous helpful examples.

MLA Research Paper Example from Purdue University

Purdue's Online Writing Lab provides this handy annotated sample research paper to help students understand proper research paper formatting (including header, body, Notes, and Works Cited).

How to Cite a Primary Source

The Columbia College Library (Vancouver, Canada) has some great examples on how to cite a primary source.

NoodleTools

Brings you to the CMHS subscription of Noodle Tools - the handy citation and note-taking tool. You need to create an account to use Noodle Tools. Easiest way to create an account is to create the account while on campus so that Noodle Tools recognizes you as part of the CMHS community. Watch this 60 second tutorial for help.

Big6 Research Process Tools

Big6 Summary - Handy summary that lists the Big6 steps and sub-steps (all on one page).

Big6 Research Process Organizer - Organizer to help you manage your research projects.

Note-Taking Template - Useful template for taking notes on your sources.

Big6 Steps Research Guide - refresher on the Big6 Research Process
Permission to post link granted by site creator, Holly Samuels, Librarian: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Cambridge, MA USA.

The Big6 Website
Official Big 6 website by the Big6 creators themselves - Michael B. Eisenbuerg and Robert E. Berkowitz.

Questions? Ask Mrs. Cerruti!

If you're looking for resources for research projects, you've come to the right place! Check out the menu on the left for print books, ebooks, and research resources. If you need help with anything on this site or have a library or research-related question, please don't hesitate to contact the CMHS Librarian, Mrs.Cerruti, via the following methods:

Ask your question via this online help form.
Send Mrs. Cerruti an email at kcerruti@cohassetk12.org
Make an appointment with Mrs. Cerruti at the Library Learning Commons.

Meet the Librarian

Greetings CMHS!

I am the CMHS Librarian, as well as the 8th grade Introduction to Research teacher. I spent two decades in the Knowledge Services sector of the software industry and I bring my technical information literacy skills to CMHS.

If I can help you tackle a school project, search online research databases, search our online library catalog to find print and electronic sources, and/or succeed in any information-related project, please see me in the CMHS Library!

Mrs. Cerruti

Kathleen Cerruti

Library & Media Specialist

Qualifications: - BS, Communication - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - MEd, Science Education - UMass Boston - Graduate Certificate, Instructional Technology - Bridgewater State University - MEd, Library Media Studies - Salem State University

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In This Section

Library Learning Commons

Library Resources

Find a Book

CMHS Library Catalogs and Checkout Procedures

Reading Resouces

Intellectual Property

Hour of Code

HS Utility in the Learning Commons

Research Resources

Research Databases

Cross-Disciplinary

Cross-Disciplinary

Language

Language

Science

Science

Social Studies

Social Studies and History

Research Tools & Videos

General Database Videos

General Database Videos

Gale Tutorials

Gale Tutorials

Citation Tools

Citation Tools

Big6 Research Process Tools

Big6 Research Process Tools

Questions? Ask Mrs. Cerruti!

Meet the Librarian

Kathleen Cerruti

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