Library Mission Statement

The mission of the Ruth Wallace Memorial Library is to enrich and vitalize the educational goals and programs of the Newton School; to encourage and sustain each student’s quest for understanding and self-discovery through reading and research; and to provide tools and knowledge to support for 21st century learning.

About the Library

The Ruth Wallace Memorial Library serves the Newton School students, staff, and community. With around 5,000 volumes, the library is committed to providing high quality and diverse resources for research and recreational reading, as well as 21st century information and media literacy skills. Housed in the school annex, the library is open to all members of the Newton School community and has an online link to the Morrill Memorial Library.

The library is named for Ruth Wainright Wallace, a counselor at Camp Kenjocketee in South Strafford and friend to Rosa Tyson. She taught at Miss Porter's School in Framingham, CT for many years before retiring to Strafford. She volunteered her time and expertise to catalogue and organize the school library collection at the Newton School. She died in 1975 and the library was named after her in 1980. A portrait of Ruth Wallace, gifted to her mother, resides in the library named for her.

CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE

• Kindergarten: 1 book limit, two week checkout 

• 1st grade: 1 book limit, two week checkout

• 2nd grade: 1 book limit, two week checkout 

• 3rd: 3 book limit, 2 week checkout 

• 4th: 4 book limit, 2 week checkout

• 5th: 5 book limit, 2 week checkout

• Staff: Unlimited as long as no students request the titles checked out.

Overdue Books Procedure

There are no fines for overdue books. In order for student to check a book out, their overdue books need to be returned. Books or materials that are lost or significantly damaged will need to be replaced or paid for. If repayment is a hardship for your family, the fee will be waived. Everyone should have access to all books in the library, so respect our procedures and develop good library routines!

Library  Expectations

If you use something, take care of it and put it back in the right place. When you speak, say it with respect. Honor the expectations, rules, and culture of the school. If you make a mistake, do something to make it right. Take care of yourself while taking care of the entire class.

Library Hours

The library is open to students every day during school hours. Each grade visits the library once a week for class. Students can come to the library to browse during browsing times with teacher permission and ONLY if Mr Herrick is in the library. If MR Herrick is teaching aclass, in a meeting, or not in the library, students should come back another time to browse.