Library Programs

You might hear about these things from your student and wonder what they are.  We hope this guide will help you decipher some of our library language!

Birthday Book Club:  This program allows parents and students to celebrate birthdays and other milestones while supporting the DFE Library.  A book plate inside the book will let others know the book was donated in honor of your child's birthday or special date.  Your child will also be the first to check the book out!  Funds generated by this program will support the library's ongoing collection needs.  Information will come home in Friday folders, or click here.

The Great Book Bowl:  This program that allows 4-5th grade students to compete (on teams) against each other to answer questions about 12 specific books.  Information will come home in first-day folders.  For 2023-24, DFE will be joined by teams from all Camas elementary schools!  This program is supported by a generous grant from the Camas Education Foundation.

All-School Read (or One School, One Book):  This program allows the entire school community to read the same book together.  It provides opportunities for cross-grade-level connections and unites the entire school around a common theme.  DFE read A Boy Called Bat together in 2020-21, and The Wild Robot in 2022-23, generously supported by the Camas Education Foundation through a grant written by Dr. Sork!  

Sasquatch Awards:  Washington's student-selected award for middle-grade novels (grades 3-6).  Nominees are chosen by the Washington Library Association's Sasquatch committee, and each year students who read at least 2 of the nominees are invited to vote for their favorite.  The book with the most student votes is awarded that year's Sasquatch Award.  Voting takes place in the spring.

Otter Awards:  The O.T.T.E.R. Award (Our Time To Enjoy Reading) was created to encourage students who are just moving into chapter books to read.  Nominees are selected by the Washington Library Association's OTTER committee, and each year students who read at least 2 nominees are invited to vote for their favorite.  The book with the most student votes is awarded that year's OTTER Award.  Voting takes place in the spring.  This award strives to recognize books for emerging readers that appeal to kids.

Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Awards:  The WCCPBA is a program designed to expose students to new(ish) picture books.  Each year, 20 titles are selected by the Washington Library Association's WCCPBA committee.  Books are read throughout the year, and in the spring students vote for their favorite.  The book with the most student votes state-wide is the winner!  

Poetry Month:  April is National Poetry Month.  The DFE Library celebrates by featuring poetry on the morning news.  Watch the news in March for information on how to apply to read a poem on the news!

Library Helpers:  Library Leaders are student helpers who assist Ms. Logan and Mrs. Sheppard in keeping the library in order.  Students demonstrate their mastery of library skills through an application/test, and commit to serving during lunch recess at least once a week.  They may help with shelving books, organizing supplies, or checking to make sure shelves are neat.  We are still working out our schedule for 2023-24 library helpers, which will impact which grades can participate.

Stuffed Animal Sleepovers:    Once or twice a year, Ms. Logan offers a Stuffed Animal Sleepover as a Fox Pawsitive prize drawing.  Selected students are invited to bring their stuffie to the library for a sleepover--drop them off in the morning and pick them up the next morning.  They hear stories, play games, and sometimes get into mischief.  Ms. Logan takes lots of pictures of the stuffies having a fun night in the library.

KDFX Fox Morning News:  Our Fox Morning News Show.  This year, 5th graders who applied to be part of the video news crew will create two weekly news videos that will "air" Tuesdays and Thursdays.  All 5th grade students have the opportunity to read the "radio" news on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Reading Challenge:  Reading challenges allow students to work toward a common goal with their reading.  Past challenge rewards have included Ms. Logan dying her hair pink and a Llama Llibrarian coming to DFE for the day.  DFE will continue reading challenges every other year, alternating with All-School Reads.  We will do smaller monthly challenges on All-School Read years.