OUR LIBRARY

Welcome to our School Library

Welcome to the library – an exciting place of wonder and learning! Our library has two main purposes: finding books to read for pleasure and a place to learn information literacy and technology skills. We believe that every student requires the skills necessary to navigate through today’s information-rich world. Determining information needs, recognizing and selecting appropriate resources – whether print or online – and managing information are key skills required for successful academic inquiry.

At our school library we strive to empower staff and students to become skilled, independent users of information through inquiry-based learning which integrates curriculum, information literacy and technology skills.

Ms. Houston, the teacher-librarian, is in the library on school days 3, 4 & 6, working collaboratively with students and teachers on inquiry units of curricular study. Ms. Zaborniak, the library technician, is in the library on school days 3pm and day 5, ensuring our library’s day-to-day operations run smoothly, including book exchange for students.

Staff

Teacher-Librarian: Ms. K. Houston

Library technician: Ms. A. Zaborniak

Library Hours

Hours of Operation: 9:25 am to 3:55 pm from Monday to Friday

Lending Policies

• Borrowing period: one full six-day school cycle
• Number of material sign-outs: kindergarten to Grade 2 - 1 book per student, grades 3 to 5 - 2 books per student.
• Overdues: Cannot sign out a new book until all others are returned. Notes go home weekly as a reminder for students to search for missing items.                                 
• Lost books: Students are not permitted to borrow new books until they have reimbursed the library for any lost ones. When it is determined that a book is lost, library staff will inform the parent of the cost of reimbursement.

Program Description

At Emerson school, the library program is twofold. The literature appreciation time allows students the opportunity to choose a specific genre of literature or a non-fiction book to read. Book exchanges give students a chance to explore the different types of resources found in a library encouraging them to become lifelong readers and learners.

The other part of our library program is an inquiry based learning approach to research. Co-operatively the teacher-librarian and classroom teacher plan units of study. Students actively work through the process of inquiry from the creation of questions, to the meaningful use of print, non-print and human resources, to a completed finished product incorporating information literacy and technological literacy skills.

Most students at Emerson are engaged in at least two curricular units of study in a school year.