About the Hart Library

The Hart Library serves the Pre and Lower School at Packer Collegiate Institute. We have a collection of more than 23,000 books. Our collection includes picture books, graphic novels, easy readers, chapter books, mysteries, non-fiction, biographies, wordless books, and a variety of online resources. The library has two full-time librarians, Christine Rush and Megan Kilgallen.

LIBRARY CURRICULUM: Each Pre and Lower School class at Packer visits the Hart Library once per cycle, either as a half or whole class. Library class time is used for read alouds and lessons that support social-emotional learning, enhance work being done in the classroom, and teach library skills. We begin each library class with a read aloud or activity followed by time for book selection and quiet reading.

OUTSIDE THE HART LIBRARY: The librarians take part in many aspects of life in the Pre and Lower School outside of the library. We work with teachers and administrators to develop curriculum on every grade level. We work with classroom teachers and learning specialists on enrichment and support for readers of all levels. We participate in special Packer events, including the annual PA Book Fair, Packer in Action Day, and the annual Pumpkin Patch. Students from Middle and Upper School are also an integral part of life in the Hart Library, volunteering to read with Pre and Lower School students.