Library

LIBRARY GUIDELINES (Revised, March 2021)

LIBRARY MISSION STATEMENT

The St. Philomena School Library exists to help develop reading skills; to encourage recreational reading; to help familiarize students with the world around them, both present and past; to enhance the curriculum taught in the classrooms; and to promote a life-long love of reading.

LIBRARY PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The school library staff is committed to providing highly responsive service to the entire school community. The staff strives to inform, enrich, and empower every member of the school community by providing access to high-quality, appealing, timely, authoritative, and reputable materials in a variety of genres for a variety of age levels. The library staff acquires, organizes, and provides a wide variety of children’s literature; Catholic resources; other relevant library materials; and serves the entire school community with caring and expert assistance. All students are encouraged to visit the library regularly and often so that they may enjoy and benefit from these materials.

LIBRARY POLICY

It is a privilege for students to use this facility and its materials. With this privilege come the following responsibilities:

  • Students are responsible for knowing what books they have checked out and for knowing where those books are at all times.
  • Students are responsible for taking proper care of library books and for returning them on time.
  • Students are responsible for learning and demonstrating proper library behavior at all times in order to maintain an environment conducive to focusing and learning.

Overdue Notices: Overdue notices will be sent home when a book is overdue. No further materials may be checked out until the overdue book is returned.

Damaged Library Books: Students whose books are returned damaged beyond what would be considered “normal wear and tear” will incur a fine in an amount commensurate with the extent and type of damage. If the damage is so extensive that the book is no longer fit for circulation, the amount of the fine will be the fair market value of the book.

Lost Library Books: If a student believes they have lost a library book, the librarian should be notified as soon as possible. If the book is not retuned within 30 days of the original due date the student/parent will be billed for the replacement cost of the book.

Final Overdue Notices: In May, as the library prepares to close for the year, all books will be due and final overdue notices will be sent. If books are not returned by the final due date students will be charged for the fair market value of replacing the book. Report cards will be held until all library fines are paid.

Questions, Comments, Concerns: If you have a question, comment, or concern about our materials, service, or library in general, please submit it in writing to the library staff. The librarian and the school administration will meet with you to respond to your concern, and the pastor will make all final decisions.

 

LIBRARY BIRTHDAY BOOKS & DONATIONS

Birthday Books will now be available for purchase at all PEP Club meetings and at special school functions. The books are already purchased, processed and ready to hit the shelf. All you have to do is make the purchase and the library will do the rest. A book plate with your child’s name will be added to the front of the book to commemorate the special event and your student will have the opportunity to be the first one to check the book out of the library. This is a great way to grow our library collection.

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR LIBRARY: Donations of money and/or Amazon or Barnes & Noble scrip are always welcome and are always deeply appreciated. The librarian will use the money to purchase books to add to the library collection.

How to check out books from the library:

Our school’s catalog may be accessed via Destiny. Here you can see what books we currently have in the library, what books are checked out to your student, and what books they have on hold. Every student in grades 3-8 has been taught how to use Destiny.

https://stphil.follettdestiny.com/common/welcome.jsp?context=saas39_4615850

Parents: If you are looking for a new book to read we have created a Teacher/Parent Book Swap outside the library doors. Bring a book, or two, and swap it for some new ones.

 

Accelerated Reader Program

Students at St. Philomena School participate in the Accelerated Reader Program. This program helps students by:

  • Making essential reading practice more effective for every student.
  • Personalizing reading practice to each student’s current level.
  • Managing all reading activities including read to, read with, and read independently.
  • Assessing students’ reading with four types of quizzes: Reading Practice, Vocabulary Practice, Literacy Skills, and Textbook Quizzes.
  • Building a lifelong love of reading and learning.

St. Philomena School Library has a considerable selection of books in all genres that are labeled with the Accelerated Reader reading level and quiz number. If your student wishes to read his own books, or public library books that are not labeled with AR information, you may use the link below to determine Accelerated Reader reading levels, quiz numbers, and point values. Be careful NOT to search by title alone; some titles have multiple editions/versions (some condensed, some unabridged) that are not identical and may not share the same reading level or quiz number. Example: a student who reads a condensed version of Robin Hood would not be able to pass the quiz on the unabridged version. For best results, search carefully and be sure to include the ISBN.

http://www.arbookfind.com/advanced.aspx