Over 650 students in 6th through 8th grades visit our library during the week with their classroom teachers, on their own or at lunchtime with friends. The richness that our students’ ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity bring to Chute Middle School is priceless. The interplay of language, cultural identity and attitudes toward themselves and others have a profound impact on what students choose to read. My mission as your school library media specialist is to recognize the complexity of what it means to be a reader so I can
Provide patrons with bibliographic, physical and intellectual access to a broad range of high quality reading materials that meet their educational and recreational needs
Maintain a welcoming environment that is academically- and aesthetically-pleasing
Collaborate regularly with classroom teachers to share and learn invaluable methods to enhance students’ Library experiences
Follow an interdisciplinary approach to teaching reading strategies and research skills that allow students to see relationships between reading, writing and other subjects
Encourage students to be confident, creative and critical thinkers whose bodies and minds need not be confined to one particular neighborhood, city or state.
The library is open most periods during the day and for a short time after school to provide maximum opportunity for student use. Students come to the library individually, in classes or in small groups. Individuals wishing to come during class must have a pass from their classroom teacher. Open Library times occur during designated lunch period. The 2024-2025 school year schedule is:
6th grade Tuesday and Thursday
7th grade Monday, Wednesday and Friday
8th grade Monday, Tuesday and Friday (Note: Wednesday and Thursday are open with approval.)
Library passes are available in the library at the circulation desk.
Q: When can I come to the library?
A: The library is open from 8:00 am until 3:0 pm Monday-Friday. Students may visit before class begins for the day. They may also visit the library during the school day with a pass from their classroom teacher or during their lunch period. See Ms. Martin for a lunch pass which can only get taken right before lunch begins.
Q: How long can I check out a book?
A: Books are checked out for three weeks. You can renew a book by stopping in to the library and checking it out for another 3 weeks if it is not on hold for someone else. You can also renew a book on-line through the Destiny catalog by using your library account.
Q: How do know if my hold is ready?
A: For a hard copy book, a hold notice will be given to your Literature/Language Arts teacher and will be put on the hold shelf in the library. Books will be held for a week.
Q: How can I search the library catalog for hard copy books on my iPad?
A: Download the Destiny Discover app from Self Service. Click Connect and select Pate Library – Chute Middle School as your library. Sign in with your user ID and password.
Q: How can I checkout audio and ebooks on my iPad?
A: Sora is the way to go! Down the app in Self Service. Add Evanston/Skokie School District 65 and Digital Library Of Illinois as your libraries to begin enjoying your favorite books!
Q: What grades are the books in the Chute library geared toward?
A: Chute Middle School has a diverse population of readers, so our books range in reading level from 4th-8th grade. As we have books through 8th grade, some books may be of a more mature subject matter. Students are allowed to self-level their reading according to their maturity and approval of their parent/guardian. Parents may opt out of allowing their children to check out books from the Chute library by noting this on their library permission form which is sent home at the beginning of the school year via the student's 6th grade Literature/Language Arts teacher. The purpose is to open discussion and help parents and students be aware of the variety of books in a middle school collection.
Q: How do I recommend a book for the library?
A: Email Ms. Martin at martinl@district65.net or suggest a library book.