The Pike Library
Books, books, and more books!
Book trailers are a fun way to find out about books. Check out the trailers created by Pike's 5th graders and one by author Dav Pilkey.
Here are websites where you can find suggestions for great books to read this summer.
Your public library has wonderful reading programs all summer. Take a minute to check out the flyers below.
Library Hours and Staff
The library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. (2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays). Students, teachers, parents, and visitors are welcome throughout the day.
The library is staffed by two full-time professional librarians, Francesca Mellin (fmellin@pikeschool.org) and Linda Spence (lspence@pikeschool.org).
Our Mission
The Pike School Library supports the school's mission to develop a love of learning in our community. Our goal is to help students, teachers, and parents find and use information resources effectively.
The library program is grounded in The Pike School's mission statement and in the American Association of School Librarians' vision of library media programs as outlined in Information Power (ALA, 1998). We further these principles by:
- providing access to a wide variety of resources that support the curriculum and inspire the imagination.
- teaching critical thinking and information literacy skills to develop independent learners.
- preparing students to be responsible information users and effective contributors to society.
Library Program
Lower and Middle School students have a regularly scheduled class period once a week in the library. Our youngest students enjoy a story and choose a book to take home. The library is an integral part of the reading program in Grades 1 and 2; students visit often to select materials that they are proud to read on their own.
In Grades 3 through 5, students learn to use the library's resources more independently. They become comfortable with our online catalog and encyclopedia, and hone their critical thinking skills as they create non-fiction posters and evaluate web sites. We also nurture enthusiasm for literature. In April, we celebrate National Poetry Month. From November to January, excitement builds as Grade 3 stages their own mock Caldecott election.
Upper School students visit the library to work on class projects in many different content areas, and on their own to choose free reading material. Readers Circle is an Upper School club for students with a particular interest in literature.
There are many opportunities for students at all levels to develop as effective information users. From Grade 2 research on endangered animals to Grade 4 artist presentations and the Grade 8 history research paper, students are supported by librarians and teachers working together.
Library Collection
The library houses a print collection of almost 20,000 volumes including reference works, non-fiction, picture books, early readers, and fiction. The library subscribes to a wide variety of periodicals and professional journals. The video and professional book collections are available to teachers and parents.
Borrowing Materials
All students are encouraged to visit the library often to check out books for reading pleasure or for researching school assignments.
Lower School students may borrow 1 to 4 books at a time, depending on their grade level, for one week.
Middle and Upper School students may borrow varying numbers of books for two weeks.
Upper School students may borrow audiovisual equipment, if needed for a class assignment.
All materials may be renewed unless another patron has reserved them. Students are expected to be responsible for materials and will be asked to replace lost or damaged items.
Birthday Book Program
Through this program, students may select a book of their choice to be given to The Pike School Library in honor of their birthday. A book plate with their name and birthdate is placed in the front of the book. The librarians are always happy to make suggestions based on current needs, but ultimately the choice is the family's. Children often choose a favorite topic or author when making their selection.
Volunteers
Volunteers provide essential support for the library program. Parents assist with checking in and shelving books as well as work on special projects. Lower School parents have an opportunity through their class parent to help with check-out on their child's "library day."
Our annual Book Fair fundraiser is another great way to support the library. The Book Fair Committee, comprised of parents and the librarians, plans this event each fall. Volunteers help with setting up the Fair and staffing during the event.
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