March 2005
We?ve had a busy year so far at the P.S. 8 Library. All classes are scheduled for library visits once each week. The children enjoy the books, and thanks to the generosity of several parents, we?ve had our meager book budget enhanced so that the collection continues to grow. We?ve been emphasizing the non-fiction collection, particularly science and literature. A whole new collection of Shakespeare plays re-written for second grade readers has been acquired and has been circulating, thanks to the interest stirred by the production of ?Romeo and Juliet? which was seen in the auditorium this fall. The books are suitable for classroom productions as well as for individual reading. Special thanks to Michelle Marozik, Paul O. Zelinsky, Marleny Rafferty, and Barbara Lessense for donations of books and funds that have helped keep the collection growing.
We were able to take advantage of Follett?s generosity by attending the Combined Book Exhibit and getting a $300.00 grant. While that translated into only 25 books (books are expensive!), half of them disappeared into children?s hands the moment they were catalogued! The excitement the books create is an absolute joy to behold.
The big news now is that Mr. Maxcy made contact with the Technical Services people of the DOE and the library has been given three computers and a new printer for the children and staff to use. The computers have internet access and we?ve posted a list of suggested sites for teachers, children and parents that have educational value. We anticipate that by next year, the library catalogue will be viewable on those computers, making the library experience more meaningful and the collection more accessible than it is now.
I am often thanked by the administration and teachers for helping to keep the library working. While I appreciate that, the school owes a great deal to the hard-working, reliable volunteers who come each week to circulate the books and to keep the library in order. Thanks also to the classroom teachers who help us get those books returned and who have created a wonderful sense of community in the school.
Please let the library know if there are books that you wish us to obtain or areas that you feel are not adequately represented in the collection. Teachers, if there is a new area in the curriculum that you are planning to explore, let us know so that we can try to have materials ready for your use.
Ann Kranis
Posted on: March 20, 2006
