PBE Library Program Overview

Library Scheduling and Planning

The mission of the Guilderland Central School District Library Media Program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information.  Please refer to the PBE Library Weekly Schedule link to determine students’ scheduled library day. Please note that students can exchange books any day (with teacher permission to leave the classroom).

  • Our fixed schedule ensures that students receive instruction enabling them to become more capable and independent library patrons. Kindergarten, first and second grade students meet once a week with the librarian for a combined lesson and book exchange. Second through fifth grade classes also meet weekly, alternating between lesson and whole class book exchange weeks. With this model, students receive direct library instruction one week and then have ample time the following week, to apply their acquired skills to find, select and use various library materials.
  • Our teachers attend library classes with their students. Their perspective, participation,  ideas and lesson requests are crucial to ensuring that our library instruction supports whole classroom curriculum and students’ individual needs and interests.

Library Experiences by Grade Level

Library instruction is based on the New York State Common Core Standards and BOCES Information Fluency Continuum as well as the librarian’s research and knowledge of the skills students need to be successful in the 21st Century.

Kindergarten students are introduced to and participate in a variety of library experiences, such as:
• Navigating the library, borrowing library materials and becoming good library patrons (Orientation and Circulation)
• Learning the parts of a book, understanding roles of author and illustrator, distinguishing fiction from nonfiction (Literature Appreciation)
• Choosing and evaluating “just right” books, finding books for various purposes (Information Skills)
• Experiencing literature and information in different formats (Utilizing Technology and Digital Media)

First grade students further develop and reinforce skills through participation in a variety of library experiences, such as:
• Navigating the library, borrowing library materials and becoming good library patrons (Orientation and Circulation)
• Learning the parts of a book, understanding roles of author and illustrator, distinguishing fiction from nonfiction (Literature Appreciation)
• Choosing and evaluating “just right” books, finding books for various purposes (Information Skills)
• Experiencing literature and information in different formats (Utilizing Technology and Digital Media)

Second grade students are introduced to and participate in a variety of library experiences, such as:
• Using the library catalog and managing their library account (Orientation and Circulation)
• Learning elements of a story, appreciating award-winning books, acquiring visual literacy skills (Literature Appreciation)
• Learning the arrangement and gaining access to the fiction, nonfiction and magazine collections, beginning research processes, identifying features of nonfiction (Information Skills)
• Online resources for research, creating digital products(Utilizing Technology and Digital Media)

Third grade students further develop and reinforce skills through participation in a variety of library experiences, such as:
• Using the library catalog and managing their library account (Orientation and Circulation)
• Learning elements of a story, appreciating award-winning books, acquiring visual literacy skills (Literature Appreciation)
• Learning the arrangement and gaining access to the fiction, nonfiction and magazine collections, beginning research processes, identifying features of nonfiction (Information Skills)
• Online resources for research, creating digital products(Utilizing Technology and Digital Media)

Fourth grade students are introduced to and participate in a variety of library experiences, such as:
• Expanding their use of the library catalog and managing their library account, becoming independent library users (Orientation and Circulation)
• Classifying and experiencing various genres, appreciating award-winning books, acquiring visual literacy skills (Literature Appreciation)
• Identifying parts of a book with emphasis on understanding nonfiction features and conventions, expanding research processes emphasizing inquiry, evaluating print and online resources (Information Skills)
• Utilizing online resources for research, such as databases and eBooks, creating digital products, evaluating websites, citing online resources and digital images (Utilizing Technology and Digital Media)

Fifth grade students further develop and reinforce skills through participation in a variety of library experiences, such as:
• Expanding their use of the library catalog and managing their library account, becoming independent library users (Orientation and Circulation)
• Classifying and experiencing various genres, appreciating award-winning books, acquiring visual literacy skills (Literature Appreciation)
• Identifying parts of a book with emphasis on understanding nonfiction features and conventions, expanding research processes emphasizing inquiry, evaluating print and online resources (Information Skills)
• Utilizing online resources for research, such as databases and eBooks, creating digital products, evaluating websites, citing online resources and digital images (Utilizing Technology and Digital Media)

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