Meet Your Library Staff

What do elementary students learn about during their library time?

Students learn about the parts of a book, genres, authors, illustrators, and hopefully a love of books and reading. Students learn how to: 

• use the library appropriately

• select an appropriate book

• browse for different kinds of books

• use the Dewey Decimal System to find books

• sign into their library account, search for books and place holds

• use ebooks and audiobooks

• rate books

• write book reviews

• use research tools (e.g., WorldBook Kids, National Geographic Kids, and Gale In Context Elementary) to find information

• cite sources

• use the self checkout machine

Click here to visit the K-5 Library Skill site.

What about managing all of those books?

Many of our libraries are actually larger than some independently run bookstores! When you walk into a library, you see library books. But our library staff also manage textbooks, most of which you only see in the hands of students. Textbooks, and novel sets, are stored in various locations in our schools. Managing books means circulating, inventorying, repairing, ordering, and organizing literally tens of thousands of items at each site. 

How can teachers and other building staff help?

If you want to use a library book or textbook, please be sure to check it out. One of the biggest problems our libraries face is when adults take books without checking them out.

How do library staff know what they are supposed to do?

Well, we have actually developed, over time, a set of roles and responsibilities (see below) that helps guide staff with respect to what needs to happen in the library. We also have a "library manual" with all of the nitty gritty details for library staff that covers all aspects of how Destiny (our library system) is set up in SPS. When changes need to be made, the team discusses them and we move forward when we are all in agreement.