It’s hard to believe that the first ten days of the school year are already over. It has been a whirlwind of a week and a half – there has been so much excitement, the air buzzing with questions, book recommendations and laughter. Yes, the library has woken from its summer sleep and is finally alive again! The start to the school year has reminded me about what I love so much about our library. While the list could surely be much longer, I want to share with you just ten things I love about our library (and just in case this reminds you of a title of a book, yes, this post got inspired by one of the loveliest picture books I have ever seen: Ten Things I Love About You – you might want to check it out if you haven’t read it yet.)
Ten Things I Love About Our Library
(in no particular order)
1. Our books – we have a fantastic collection of fiction and nonfiction, picture and chapter books written by authors from all over the world. And the best thing, the collection keeps growing. We just received a new order of books and several book donations from parents.
2. Our (tech) tools – not only do we have, in my opinion, the best library automation system (Follett’s Destiny), which makes the circulation of materials easy and provides us access to our library’s collection 24/7 through the online catalog; we also have access to computers, iPads, and projectors to further extend the learning experience for our students. (And, I should mention here, in the use of these tools, we are supported by the best Technology Department in the world!)
3. Our databases – we have access to a variety of great online resources such as the World Book Encyclopedia, the Tumble Book Library and Brain Pop. Through only2clicks, we can provide easy access to (hand-picked) kid-friendly websites on topics relevant and of interest to our students.
2. Our (tech) tools – not only do we have, in my opinion, the best library automation system (Follett’s Destiny), which makes the circulation of materials easy and provides us access to our library’s collection 24/7 through the online catalog; we also have access to computers, iPads, and projectors to further extend the learning experience for our students. (And, I should mention here, in the use of these tools, we are supported by the best Technology Department in the world!)
3. Our databases – we have access to a variety of great online resources such as the World Book Encyclopedia, the Tumble Book Library and Brain Pop. Through only2clicks, we can provide easy access to (hand-picked) kid-friendly websites on topics relevant and of interest to our students.
4. Our view – just look at the picture above and tell me, who wouldn’t want to sit here and enjoy the view and a book?
5. Our layout – our set-up and layout not only offers us various teaching areas, it also has many cozy nooks and crannies that invite for reading.
6. Our schedule – it’s wonderful that we get to see every class every week for at least 30min (PK1 & PK2) or 45min (K-G5). At times, we get to see students even more often when teachers schedule extra time with us for a particular unit of inquiry or literature circles. In addition, students in G1-5 can be with us in the library every morning from 7:35-7:55am. Several times a week, we get extra visitors during students’ lunch break.
5. Our layout – our set-up and layout not only offers us various teaching areas, it also has many cozy nooks and crannies that invite for reading.
6. Our schedule – it’s wonderful that we get to see every class every week for at least 30min (PK1 & PK2) or 45min (K-G5). At times, we get to see students even more often when teachers schedule extra time with us for a particular unit of inquiry or literature circles. In addition, students in G1-5 can be with us in the library every morning from 7:35-7:55am. Several times a week, we get extra visitors during students’ lunch break.
7. Our parent library volunteers – with the huge amount of books we circulate each week, we would drown in books to be shelved if it wasn’t for our wonderful parent volunteers. They help us get the books back on the shelves so that the next group of students can check them out again.
8. Students, teachers and parents asking for recommendations – I love talking about and recommending books, and gets lots of opportunities at our library. In fact, I couldn’t be happier if I was asked to do this all day long (okay, a bit of reading time in between would be great too). It always puts a smile on my face when a student, colleague or parent asks me for a book (or books) and I have the chance to walk along our shelves, pull out books and make suggestions. When it then happens that together we found that perfect book, it simply makes my day.
8. Students, teachers and parents asking for recommendations – I love talking about and recommending books, and gets lots of opportunities at our library. In fact, I couldn’t be happier if I was asked to do this all day long (okay, a bit of reading time in between would be great too). It always puts a smile on my face when a student, colleague or parent asks me for a book (or books) and I have the chance to walk along our shelves, pull out books and make suggestions. When it then happens that together we found that perfect book, it simply makes my day.
9. Our teachers – who accompany our students to the library, encourage them and support them in choosing books, in learning to read and in discovering a love for reading in so many different ways.
10. Our students – what can I say… they are wonderful! Their contagious enthusiasm in checking out and recommending books, in sharing books with each other, their love for good stories, their curiosity for the people and world around them, the joy and laughter they bring to this library is simply the best!
I am sure I will have to add to this list very soon as I remember the many other things I love about our library. So look out for Part 2 to this post. In the meantime, I would love to hear from you – what do you like about our library?
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