For Parents

Welcome to the Driscoll Library!  My name is Ms. Reid, and I am the Driscoll School librarian.  We are lucky to have a beautiful, sunny space filled with books on the third floor of our new building.  In addition to our regular library classes, we have some great programs planned this year, including the Driscoll Student Book Award (grades 4-8), the Mock Caldecott for K-5, a book fair, and more.  Please feel free to contact me (email is best!) with any questions or concerns you may have.

Thanks, and happy reading!

Ms. Reid, Librarian (anne_reid@pbsma.org)

Library Classes & Visits

Students in grades K-5 visit the library regularly with their classes, usually once a week. Older students come with their middle school teachers as needed. During library classes, students participate in a variety of literature and library skills activities and have the opportunity to borrow books.   Students in grades 4-8 may visit the library independently during the school day between class visits if they have a pass from their teacher.

Book Borrowing

Students checkout books during library class and library visits.  Students in grades 1-2 may borrow two books at a time.  Students in grades 3-8 may borrow three items at a time, although more may be checked out for school projects. 

The loan period for all students is two weeks.  If a student has overdue items, we often hold a book or two for a day to give them another chance to return them and check out something new.  To avoid disappointment (and even tears!), get to know your child's "library day" and help them establish a routine for returning books.

Families will receive weekly email reminders of books their K-4 child(ren) have checked out.  These are friendly reminders of books out (not necessarily overdue notices) to help families remember what items are due back so that new books may be checked out. 

Lost or Damaged Books

If you cannot find the books checked out to your student, or your student's books are damaged, you are required to pay for a replacement.  Overdue items must be returned before new items are borrowed.  Lost or damaged items must be paid for or replaced before borrowing new items.  To help keep library books in good shape, choose a safe place at home to keep them.  Keep a plastic bag for library books in your child’s backpack.  

Online Resources

The library catalog is accessible online here, and includes some ebooks and digital audio books.  We also subscribe to many databases that students can access from the Research Resources page on this site.

Raising a Reader

Here are a few tips for making reading a central part of your child's life:

Empower them with choice. Studies have shown that student choice is a powerful motivator in reading.  Browse some on this page for recommendations. Listening to audiobooks, either on their own or along with a print copy of the book, is another great way to get into a story.

Make reading part of your family’s routine. Set aside time for your child to read daily, model reading yourself, and of course, read together!  I cannot overstate the importance of reading to your children, even after they can read on their own. Here’s an article from PBS that nicely sums up the benefits of story time.

Embrace Picture Books! We sometimes push kids out of picture books too early because they can read chapter books. I would caution against this! I read picture books with students of all ages at school, and I still read picture books with my sixth- and eighth-grader at home. This short article from the New York Times makes a great case for why we should all enjoy these amazing works of art.

Visit the public library. We have three wonderful public libraries in Brookline: the main branch in Brookline Village, as well as the Coolidge Corner and Putterham branches. You can visit the library, check out lots of books, talk with their amazing librarians, and attend special events.