Welcome to Westbrook's Library Media Center!
The mission of the school library media program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. (Information Power 6-7)
Westbrook's Library Media Center is home to 20 networked computers in a computer lab with 2 ceiling mounted projectors, a scanner, and two printers as well as a smartboard with an additional computer dedicated to smartboard display. This computer also has an Apple TV, which was purchased by Westbrook's generous PTA. The computer lab is used by the library skills classes, but is also available to (and used by) all classes in the school. Teachers use a Google Doc to book the computer lab, and as such it is always busy! The students are able to use productivity software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher as well as Inspiration, Microtype, Smart Start Spanish, Destiny and of course Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Each student has a unique log in for the computer network and access to a Personal Directory for saving files securely. In our library skills classes, students are exposed to the various technology applications and are taught how to use them.
In addition to our terrific technology resources, our library media center has a growing collection of over 10,000 titles of books. Our collection houses many books classified as "easy fiction." Although these are picture books, they are circulated among all of our K-6 students due to the variety of content. These books address a wide variety of content areas, therefore they are appealing to a wide age range. In another area of the library we have our fiction novels. We have a number of popular series for the students as well, and we're working on our growing collection of graphic novels. Of course no library is complete without a diverse non-fiction section. The books in the non-fiction section are shelved according to the Dewey Decimal System. The bulk of our collection was published in the 1990s - 2000s. We are constantly working on updating our collection and keeping the content current by weeding outdated titles and copies that are no longer in adequate condition. Our entire catalog can be viewed online by clicking the Destiny link here.
I subscribe to a number of library periodicals, attend yearly workshops detailing the best books of the year for K-6 students, and collaborate with the teachers in the school to determine which books to purchase. Books are selected based on the needs of the classroom curriculum, reviews by such revered publications as School Library Journal, recommendations by library experts such as Judy Freeman, and suggestions by the students. I feel that a big part of my role in the school community is to foster a love of reading. As such, if students enthusiastically recommend an author or title, I try to acquire it so that other students can experience it. Since I've been Westbrook's Library Media Specialist, circulation has increased, our library collection has grown and become very relevant and interesting, and the library has truly become the hub of the school. Since our school system has upgraded our circulation system to Destiny, we can now easily see what books all of the other schools have in their collections as well, and this makes inter-school loans easy. Teachers and library media specialists are able to borrow books from the other schools, and for special circumstances, such as research reports, we are also able to borrow books from other schools for students as well.
Our library is a warm and welcoming place to be. Because of the size of the room and the number of books that circulate weekly, we have a dedicated group of volunteers. Without these wonderful helpers, our library would not function as efficiently. We have volunteers in weekly to shelve books, re-organize the shelves, and generally help to keep the collection in tip-top shape. Our school's PTA is also a very generous contributor to the library. Every year the PTA holds a book nook in the winter and book fair in the spring. Much of the money raised at these events goes to the library in the form of books. The students, teachers and I are so appreciative of their generous donations!
If any parents are interested in volunteering in our school's library, there are a few district procedures in place (forms to fill out, etc.). Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information. I'm always looking for more volunteers in the library!
Please feel free to email me with any questions you have about our library, or if you'd like to volunteer your time!
Mrs. Nancy Gridley
Library Media Specialist
Westbrook School
[email protected]
follow me on twitter @nancygridley29
In addition to our terrific technology resources, our library media center has a growing collection of over 10,000 titles of books. Our collection houses many books classified as "easy fiction." Although these are picture books, they are circulated among all of our K-6 students due to the variety of content. These books address a wide variety of content areas, therefore they are appealing to a wide age range. In another area of the library we have our fiction novels. We have a number of popular series for the students as well, and we're working on our growing collection of graphic novels. Of course no library is complete without a diverse non-fiction section. The books in the non-fiction section are shelved according to the Dewey Decimal System. The bulk of our collection was published in the 1990s - 2000s. We are constantly working on updating our collection and keeping the content current by weeding outdated titles and copies that are no longer in adequate condition. Our entire catalog can be viewed online by clicking the Destiny link here.
I subscribe to a number of library periodicals, attend yearly workshops detailing the best books of the year for K-6 students, and collaborate with the teachers in the school to determine which books to purchase. Books are selected based on the needs of the classroom curriculum, reviews by such revered publications as School Library Journal, recommendations by library experts such as Judy Freeman, and suggestions by the students. I feel that a big part of my role in the school community is to foster a love of reading. As such, if students enthusiastically recommend an author or title, I try to acquire it so that other students can experience it. Since I've been Westbrook's Library Media Specialist, circulation has increased, our library collection has grown and become very relevant and interesting, and the library has truly become the hub of the school. Since our school system has upgraded our circulation system to Destiny, we can now easily see what books all of the other schools have in their collections as well, and this makes inter-school loans easy. Teachers and library media specialists are able to borrow books from the other schools, and for special circumstances, such as research reports, we are also able to borrow books from other schools for students as well.
Our library is a warm and welcoming place to be. Because of the size of the room and the number of books that circulate weekly, we have a dedicated group of volunteers. Without these wonderful helpers, our library would not function as efficiently. We have volunteers in weekly to shelve books, re-organize the shelves, and generally help to keep the collection in tip-top shape. Our school's PTA is also a very generous contributor to the library. Every year the PTA holds a book nook in the winter and book fair in the spring. Much of the money raised at these events goes to the library in the form of books. The students, teachers and I are so appreciative of their generous donations!
If any parents are interested in volunteering in our school's library, there are a few district procedures in place (forms to fill out, etc.). Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information. I'm always looking for more volunteers in the library!
Please feel free to email me with any questions you have about our library, or if you'd like to volunteer your time!
Mrs. Nancy Gridley
Library Media Specialist
Westbrook School
[email protected]
follow me on twitter @nancygridley29
Philosophy of the School Library Media Program
The school library media center is a vital and integral hub of the school and as a result reflects the philosophy and goals of the school and the district. In an age of information, acquiring information literacy skills and a
commitment for lifelong reading and learning become paramount. In the school library media center, students develop critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills as they use a variety of resources to meet the demands of today’s curriculum. A library media program does not exist in isolation. The school library media specialist works in partnership with students, teachers, administrators, Board of Education members, and the school community to develop the library media program. Through collaboration, the library media program also incorporates the goals and objectives of the New Jersey Common Core Standards (CCSS) and the National Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning as prepared by the American
Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). The combined vision supports the goal for educational excellence and the concept of intellectual freedom.
The principles for learning and teaching of school library media programs have been identified and developed by the Information Power Vision Committee. (Information Power 58)
• Principle 1: The library media program is essential to learning and teaching and must be fully integrated into the curriculum to promote students’ achievement of learning goals.
• Principle 2: The information literacy standards for student learning are integral to the content and objectives of the school’s curriculum.
• Principle 3: The library media program models and promotes collaborative planning and curriculum development.
• Principle 4: The library media program models and promotes creative, effective, and collaborative teaching.
• Principle 5: Access to the full range of information resources and services through the library media program is fundamental to learning.
• Principle 6: The library media program encourages and engages students in reading, viewing, and listening for understanding and enjoyment.
• Principle 7: The library media program supports the learning of all students and other members of the learning community who have diverse learning abilities, styles, and needs.
• Principle 8: The library media program fosters individual and collaborative inquiry.
• Principle 9: The library media program integrates the uses of technology for learning and teaching.
• Principle 10: The library media program is an essential link to the larger learning community.
Information and technology skills are most meaningful when learned within a subject area, within an interdisciplinary unit, or within a unit which addresses an authentic, real-life need or problem. Students must be prepared to access, evaluate, select, and apply the appropriate information to meet their educational, personal, and recreational needs. Students must be prepared to acquire materials and resources to meet their current and lifelong needs. They will need to know how to access, evaluate and choose from a constantly changing and growing reservoir of information for educational, personal, and recreational purposes.
commitment for lifelong reading and learning become paramount. In the school library media center, students develop critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills as they use a variety of resources to meet the demands of today’s curriculum. A library media program does not exist in isolation. The school library media specialist works in partnership with students, teachers, administrators, Board of Education members, and the school community to develop the library media program. Through collaboration, the library media program also incorporates the goals and objectives of the New Jersey Common Core Standards (CCSS) and the National Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning as prepared by the American
Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). The combined vision supports the goal for educational excellence and the concept of intellectual freedom.
The principles for learning and teaching of school library media programs have been identified and developed by the Information Power Vision Committee. (Information Power 58)
• Principle 1: The library media program is essential to learning and teaching and must be fully integrated into the curriculum to promote students’ achievement of learning goals.
• Principle 2: The information literacy standards for student learning are integral to the content and objectives of the school’s curriculum.
• Principle 3: The library media program models and promotes collaborative planning and curriculum development.
• Principle 4: The library media program models and promotes creative, effective, and collaborative teaching.
• Principle 5: Access to the full range of information resources and services through the library media program is fundamental to learning.
• Principle 6: The library media program encourages and engages students in reading, viewing, and listening for understanding and enjoyment.
• Principle 7: The library media program supports the learning of all students and other members of the learning community who have diverse learning abilities, styles, and needs.
• Principle 8: The library media program fosters individual and collaborative inquiry.
• Principle 9: The library media program integrates the uses of technology for learning and teaching.
• Principle 10: The library media program is an essential link to the larger learning community.
Information and technology skills are most meaningful when learned within a subject area, within an interdisciplinary unit, or within a unit which addresses an authentic, real-life need or problem. Students must be prepared to access, evaluate, select, and apply the appropriate information to meet their educational, personal, and recreational needs. Students must be prepared to acquire materials and resources to meet their current and lifelong needs. They will need to know how to access, evaluate and choose from a constantly changing and growing reservoir of information for educational, personal, and recreational purposes.
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