Welcome back to school, I hope everyone had a wonderful first day. Many things are different this year--hybrid learning, new teachers, new campus, new students and a new library! Yeah!

My name is Mrs. Naomi Smith and I am excited to take on the role of librarian at Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy for this school year. I have a Master's in Library and Information Science and over ten years working in a public library setting with youth and families. I am also the parent of three children at HRBA. My library helpers this year are Mrs. Rhonda Kristoff (HRBA parent and Tacoma Public Library librarian) and Mrs. Janelle Constanti (HRBA parent, se habla español).

Library Time, Lending and Sora

During remote learning, I will be meeting students in grades 1-8 weekly either via Zoom or via YouTube posted to SeeSaw or Google Classroom starting the week of September 14. We will explore different books, genres and work to become good digital and information literate citizens as well as responsible library users. Later in the fall, I hope to offer "curbside" library book checkout for students when they are at their tutoring cohorts.

The physical library is a work in progress. There are currently over 1500 books entered into our library catalog and once all are entered they will be labeled and barcoded. I appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to get the books ready to lend. I would also like to take the time to thank All Saints Catholic School in Puyallup. Their library has recently downsized and their librarian allowed me to pick through many books in excellent condition to add to our library. Thank you Mrs. Crosley, Father Michael and All Saints!

Though the physical library books aren't ready for lending, our students have immediate access to a collection of audiobooks and e-books through the Sora app from Overdrive! HRBA has subscribed to the starter collection which includes a mix of classics and newer popular titles for children and teens. The Sora app is already downloaded onto Chromebooks and students login using their Google accounts. Students may also download Sora on their own devices and the content will automatically sync between devices.

Using Sora is completely optional. It is one more way for students to have access to a variety of free choice reading materials.

Communication

I will be on campus on Mondays all day and on Tuesday afternoons. The best way to contact me is by email at nsmith@holyrosarybilingual.org. Please feel free to reach out to me or to Ms. Dempsey with any library questions or concerns.

Have a great rest of your week and Read, Read and Read some more!!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Smith