Library Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. How many books can students check out at a time?  Students are encouraged to check out the number of books they need and can safely carry.  This is different for every student.  Kindergarten and 1st grade students begin by selecting 1 or 2 books.  The maximum in the computer is 5 (if your child needs more than 5 books at a time please have them speak with Ms. Logan).  Students in grades 2-5 with overdue books may not check out new books until the overdue item is returned.

2. For how long is a book checked out?  Books are checked out for one (1) week.  Students who are still reading a book may renew it during library (they do not need to have the book with them to renew it). 

3. When does my student have library?  See this schedule.

4. How do students return books?  Students can return books in the library by feeding them to our friendly "book monster."  They can also return them in classroom library book bins, which should be brought down to the library every morning after the Fox Morning News.

5. I got an overdue notice but my child says they returned the book.  How can I check to see?  Click here and log in by clicking the blue cloud and using your student's CSD Google account (user name: first.last@csd117.org, password: their birthday MMDDYYYY).  Click "my stuff," then click "checkouts" on the menu that will appear.  Here is a video to help you.  Note:  If you are logged into a different Google account, you may get an error message.  Try an incognito window.

6. I looked online and a book is still checked out to my child, but they say they returned it.  What is going on?  There are a few possible explanations. First, your child may have placed the book in the classroom library bin, but the bin may not have come down to the library.  Books are not checked in until they are returned to the library and scanned in by Ms. Logan or Mrs. Sheppard.  Another possibility is that the book made it to the shelves without being scanned.  Contact Ms. Logan (by email or send your student in to the library) so we can check the shelves.  Finally, it is not unusual for a student to think they have returned a book, only to find it in their backpacks, desks, cubbies, etc.  Ask your student to look for the book at home and at school, including in the classroom library.

7. How much should my child be reading?  Why? The expectation at Dorothy Fox Elementary is that every child is reading for at least 20 minutes every day (outside the school day).  This can include reading with another person and listening to audiobooks.  Some teachers expect more reading per day. Research shows that consistent independent reading of books students choose themselves is the best way to improve student reading skills.  Students who read in their free time are more likely to attend college and achieve leadership positions in their careers.  Studies also show that reading develops empathy, reduces stress, and even leads to longer lives!

8. My student brought home a book that is way too easy/hard for them.  Can you make them choose a book at their reading level?  Our students are given books to read in their classrooms as part of the curriculum and at specific levels as part of their classroom teacher's reading program.  The library is the one place at school where students are free to choose books based on their own tastes and interests.  Sometimes students are interested in books that are not at their current reading level, and that is ok.  Research shows that all children, even older ones, enjoy having a parent read out loud with them.  Research also indicates that students should be allowed to choose their own recreational reading titles.  While we will have lessons on choosing "good fit" books, the primary goal of the library is to support student curiosity and a love of reading.

9. My child will only read comics/graphic novels.  Can you make them read a "real" book?  While it can be frustrating to see your child only reading one format of book, focus on the fact that your student is reading.  Recreational reading titles should be self-selected, and if your reader is selecting graphic novels, then celebrate their love of books by honoring their choice.  Most graphic novels are written at fairly high reading levels (Captain Underpants, for example, is written at a 4th grade level) and include good vocabulary development and opportunities to improve visual learning and even social cues (facial expressions, posture, etc.).  Talk to your student about why they enjoy that format.  If they can explain what they like about the books they are reading, it makes it easier for Ms. Logan to suggest other titles they might also enjoy (and encourage them to broaden their reading horizons).

10. What is an honor book?  An honor book is a book that is not part of the library's catalog.  These donated titles can be taken "on your honor" by any student at any time, and should be returned when the student is finished with the book.  However, Ms. Logan does not keep track of these books and will never know if one doesn't make it back.  It's kind of like a "little free library" in the middle of the DFE Library.

11. What does my child DO in library class?  This varies each week, of course, and looks different in different grade levels.  Class may include a read-aloud, either a picture book or a preview of a chapter book.  In Kindergarten, we focus on learning how libraries work, how to use "shelf markers" to keep the library in order, and going on "book hunts" to find good books.  By 5th grade, we are still finding good books, but we are also active participants in a community of readers who can independently navigate the library.  We also focus on accessing, evaluating, and ethically using information in many forms and from many sources.  Students in all grade levels also learn how to behave respectfully and safely online. 

12. Can I donate books to the library?  Donated books take time to process and make shelf-ready, so please limit donations to books you are removing from your personal collection.  Some book donations are added to the library's circulating collection, and some become honor books.  The library always needs copy of popular "easy reader" titles (particularly lego, superhero, princess, and nonfiction), and hardbound copies of Goosebumps, I Survived, Captain Underpants, Dogman, Warriors, or Wings of Fire.  If you would like to purchase a new book to donate to the library collection, please consider joining our Birthday Book Club.  This allows Ms. Logan to select the books the library most needs in the most durable format available, and library vendors will handle the processing.

13. My student lost/damaged a library book.  What should we do?  

    1. If the book is lost, let us know so we can check to be sure it isn't hiding on a shelf.  Sometimes books are "returned" in unusual places and get put on the shelves before being scanned, or sometimes we just miss one.  Then check in the classroom, in vehicles, at home--you'd be surprised where books might be hiding.  While you are looking, we can mark a book as lost so that your student can continue to check out books.   Please pay for lost books by the end of the school year (checks payable to Dorothy Fox Elementary--the library cannot provide change).  If the book turns up after you have paid for it, you may choose to keep the book or you may choose to donate it back to the library.  

    2. If a book is damaged, please bring it (and any pages that might have come out) to the library so we can determine whether or not the book can be repaired (and what state it may have been in when your student checked it out).  If the book was in good repair when your student checked it out and it cannot be repaired, you will need to pay to replace the book.   All ordering of replacement books is done by the library.  Please do not purchase books to replace lost or damaged books.

13.  Can I volunteer in the DFE Library?  Yes!  Once you have completed your volunteer paperwork, the library would welcome your help.  Volunteers help keep supplies in order, do general teacher prep work (copies, cutting, sharpen pencils), and help with displays or special projects.  We may have occasional projects you could complete from home.  Contact Ms. Logan for more information.

14.  How can I support the DFE Library?  One of the best ways to support school library programs is to advocate for them with state and local officials.  Is your child having a great experience in the library?  Let a school district administrator, school board member, or state legislator know about it!  You can also advocate for adequate, sustainable funding for library staff and materials.  To specifically support the DFE Library, shop at the annual book fairs, participate in our Birthday Book program, or ask Ms. Logan if the library has immediate needs you could meet.