Useful+Information


 * __ Flexible Scheduling __**

Maintaining a flexible or open schedule in the Information Center is a DoDEA best practice. According to this idea, the library program is an extension of the classroom. Information skills are no longer presented in isolation, but are taught within the context of the classroom curriculum. Students and teachers must be able to come to the information center throughout the day to use information sources, to read for pleasure, and to meet and work with other students and teachers. Classes may need to come every day for a week and then more infrequently for the next three weeks afterwards. Planning between the Information Specialist and the classroom teacher, during both scheduled and informal sessions, is the catalyst that makes this integrated library program work.

Flexible access and scheduling encourages the creation of life-long learners, readers and library users. Individual students, small groups, and classes use the library when they need information, as an extension of their learning or to pursue a personal learning goal. Teachers may send small groups to visit the library as part of their center time or may schedule a time with the information specialist to stop by as a whole group.

When sending individual students or small groups to the Information Center:
 * Make sure students know how much time they may remain in the library (timers work great for this purpose)
 * Give students a clear task to accomplish (for instance, if students are checking out books, you may suggest they pick one // Reading //// Counts! // Book, one book related to your current unit of study and one free-choice book)
 * Consider emailing me in advance if you would like me to help students accomplish a particular task (locating information with the online databases, finding books on a particular subject or at a particular Lexile level, etc.) so that I can make sure they accomplish everything necessary
 * Ensure that every student visits the Information Center at least once a week (a “Need to Go to the Library/Been to the Library” chart works great!)

**__ Checkout Policy __**

__ Faculty Loan Policy: __ Staff members may borrow unlimited materials for an entire semester. If another staff member or student requests an item, we will notify you and “negotiate.” Please return any materials when you are finished with them so others may use them.

__ Student Loan Policy: __ Students in grades 1-5 may take out 3 books at a time for a period of up to 2 weeks. Students with overdue books may not check out any further books until they have turned in their overdue books. Students in PSCD, Sure Start and Kindergarten may take out __one__ library book at a time.


 * __ Info __****__ Center __****__ Intranet Page __**

The Info Center page of the Intranet is a great source of information for you and your students. Please continue to check back as I update and improve the site. Any suggestions as to the kind of content that you would like to see are welcome!


 * __ Library Assistant __**

We are very fortunate to have a part-time Library Assistant again this year. She will be here most days from 11:00-12:30 and will be happy to assist you with check-in and check-out of materials and locating needed resources.


 * __ Special Programs in the Library __**
 * Sigonella Young Readers’ Book Award (K-3)
 * Battle of the Books (4-5)
 * Holiday Bookmark Contest
 * Read Across America Week
 * Poetry Contest
 * Primary Reading Club (1-2)
 * Author Visits -- 2010: Kimbery Willis Holt
 * Piper Reed Club (2-5)
 * SES Post Office (3)
 * Junior Librarians (4-5)
 * Spelling Bee (3-5)