Library

The elementary library program supports children's independent reading and research as well as their classroom activities. As students progress through the elementary school, they develop increasingly sophisticated approaches to research in a variety of media, both in the library and online.  The elementary library uses both fixed and flexible scheduling.  Students, parents and teachers are welcome to drop in to the library at any time.

Half-day students visit the library on an occasional basis with their teachers.  They are welcome to visit the library with their parents at any time, and the library collects materials to meet their needs and interests.   Lower and middle elementary students visit the library weekly for read-aloud, literature promotion, library skills instruction, research projects and book selection. Upper elementary students visit the library every two weeks for read-aloud, book talks, research skills instruction and book selection.  In addition, teachers schedule class visits in conjunction with research and reading projects.

Elementary students are welcome to drop in before school, at 8 a.m., and after school until 3:15 p.m.  To stay longer in the afternoon, they need to be registered with the Aftercare program and are then welcome until closing.

Reading

Promoting reading for pleasure is a central goal of the elementary library program.  Parents are urged to read aloud to their children throughout the grades.  Our strongest students are those who are read to, often, by their parents.   The library provides reading lists on specialized topics (for example, adoption, bereavement, divorce, friendship, historical fiction) as well as an annotated booklet of suggested titles for summer reading.  Students are required to read any five age-appropriate books during the summer and send postcards about those books to the school.  Parents may check out a maximum of 50 books and a maximum four audio books per family for the summer. 

Technology

Online Catalog

Surpass automation system for circulation and catalog. All elementary students are instructed in online catalog searching skills.

Internet Access

Middle and upper elementary students are instructed in online safety and ethics, web site evaluation, online searching skills and library databases. All students are expected to adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy as specified on the school web site.

Active Board

Data projection onto the Active Board enables students to become familiar with databases, library organization and research strategies.