Pepper Ridge - The Library

The IMC - (The Library)

Check out Lost or damaged Students online Volunteers

Ms. Jent
Became a librarian because she likes teaching children of all ages. Being an elementary librarian allows her to teach students from early childhood through 5th grade. She also enjoys reading! She likes having the opportunity to encourage all students at Pepper Ridge to read, and also helps direct them to books, and various media resources that are helpful and enjoyable. Which is no small task, when you consider that approximately 200 students enter the IMC daily.

Why is the library called the IMC?
The Information Media Center (IMC) is named as such, to magnify the complexity of the library. It is no longer just a place to check out books. It is a place were research is conducted, multi-media (computers, AV equipment, the internet) and other resources are used. It is also a place where stories are read, and dreams are realized.

The Librarian
Checking out books is only the beginning of all that the IMC offers to students at Pepper Ridge. Students are encouraged to explore the world, seek out their dreams, and increase their knowledge by the literature we examine and read. The computer lab is used daily to develop skills, increase experience, and enhance comfort level. In the IMC we develop skills in facilitating the library, research, reading, typing, and computer skills.

Volunteers
Ms. Jent is the only full-time staff person. She also has one part-time person, who comes in on Tuesday.

Ms. Jent said, "We have many volunteers that sacrifice their time to assist and make the library run more smoothly. Their help is immeasurable! Their biggest roles are to help with the circulation of the books (checking in/out) and shelving the books. But, they also assist with everything from teaching/guiding students to teacher helpers (putting up bulletin boards, cutting, copying, stapling, etc.). I rely on their help each and every day. They are wonderful giving and caring individuals!"

Finding books
The physical card catalog cabinet is obsolete in our library. Computers have replaced the need for a card catalog cabinet. All the information that was once available there, is now available electronically on the computer card catalog.

Students are taught how books are cataloged according to the Dewey Decimal system. They can use this knowledge to assist them in locating books. They are also taught to use the computer card catalog at the end of second grade. This tool is very effective in helping students locate materials.

Checking out books
Once students have found the books they would like, they locate their library card (kept in the IMC) and place the card and books together so the bar codes are visible. They hand the books and card to the person at the computer and this person scans the bar codes, handing the books back to the student and keeping the library card for future use.

Usually:

Kindergarten through 2nd grade check out 1 book a week.
Grades 3 through 5 check out two books a week.

Books are due
Books are automatically checked out for a one week period. (If the books are not reserved to someone else, they can be renewed.)

If a book is overdue, no new books can be checked out until all overdue books are returned.

Book renewal
Books may be renewed a maximum of 3 times.

Exception to the rule:

If a book has been reserved, it can not be renewed.

Reserving a book
Desired books may be reserved as long as the book is currently checked out. If the book is sitting on the shelf, it should be checked out at that time. Students who reserve books are put on a waiting list and should check with the librarian each week to see if the book has been returned and inquire who the book is reserved for next.

Lost or damaged library books
If a book is lost or damaged, replacement costs need to be paid so that another book can be purchased. Books that are checked out are basically loaned to students, so it is important for students to learn and understand that when items are borrowed they should be returned in good condition. We hope students will learn responsibility when replacement costs need to be paid.

New books
Each year the district provides money in relation to the number of students attending our building. Some money is achieved through sales at our fall and spring book fairs, and the PTO sometimes provides money for additional purchases. As long as there are funds, improvements and purchases are made.

Who decides what books will be in the library?
The librarian is primarily responsible for developing the list of books. Award lists, Library Journal magazine, and other accredited book reviews are used to develop the list. The librarian also encourages teachers to recommend books that would be valuable to students and the curriculum. Students can also recommend books for possible purchasing.

Book donations
Yes, yes, yes!!! We will always accept books that are in good condition. If the books aren't quite correct for the IMC, they will be offered up to the teachers for classroom use.

What is your child reading?
Parents should always monitor what their children are reading. The library has books for various grade levels and just because the child is reading at a certain level does not mean that the content is appropriate for that child. It is ultimately up to the parent to monitor their children's reading. If they feel a book is inappropriate for their child, the book should be returned to the library and if they would like to make a formal complaint about the book, the district has a policy that is followed.

Computer Lab
There are 12 computers in the lab that are used for instruction. Students learn everything from parts of the computer and it's functions, to typing, manipulating software, and the internet.

Students online
The library computers are online accessible to students if:

Their parent/guardian signs a consent form, and
They have teacher permission and guidance.

Online precautions
The district has a filter on the system, and in the IMC we typically only use child friendly search directories such as Yahooligans.

Reading recommendations
When recommending a book, it is important to take into consideration not only the content of the book, but also the reading ability of the individual student. A really popular series with the intermediate grades is the Harry Potter series. When looking for a good book, it is always an excellent idea to look for a good author. A few respected authors that write at the intermediate level are Gary Paulsen, Roald Dahl, Scott O'Dell, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Katherine Paterson, Mildred Taylor and Matt Christopher. A few respected authors that write at the primary level are Barbara Park, Marc Brown, Stan and Jan Berenstain, Dave Pilkey and Jan Brett

Library insight
The IMC is always busy! It is very important for me to be organized because the schedule hops around from primary to intermediate and back again, all day long. It is important for everyone in the library to work together. To facilitate this, there is really only one rule in the IMC. It is to Respect Yourself and Others! If everyone will follow this rule, everything will run smoothly in the IMC, everyone will get along, and a positive character will be developed within the students at Pepper Ridge.

The best part
"Some of the best parts about my job are when I see a child's eyes light up because they have discovered something new, or when I see students living out the one rule in the IMC! I only want the best for each student. I hope students realize this as we work together."

| Unit 5 | Home | E-mail |