Palm Valley Academy
Media Center Information, Services, and Procedures 2018-2019
Welcome and hello!
Library Resources
Opening Collection Stats:
- Print books: 6,378
- eBooks: 376 (MackinVIA log in link on the library's website; email Summer or myself for log in information)
- Makerspace: 7 kits for ages PK-8 including robotics, building sets, and much, much more
You can search the catalog by visiting the library's website. If you see items you'd like to place on hold, just email me or Summer and we will pull them for you for pick-up. Books are checked out for 10 days and can be renewed if no one else is waiting on them.
I am continuing to order and add to our collection throughout the year. Please let me know if there are books you would like for me to purchase for our collection and I will add them to future orders.
Library Website
https://www-pva.stjohns.k12.fl.us/media/
Visit our website to have access to library resources 24/7. I've included links to the library catalog and eBooks of course, but there are also literary, research, and coding links that you may find helpful for your students or yourself.
Orientations
Class Visits
- When bringing your class to the library, please line them up outside the glass windows. I will greet them and let them in individually. This is important so I can say hello to each student and to set the tone as they enter the library. When their time is over and we have another class coming, I will have your class waiting for you in the same spot along the windows outside of the library to be picked up. The hallway is a quiet zone so their voice levels need to remain low whispers.
- During every class visit, students will have the opportunity to return and check out books. Students who are unable to check out due to overdue books will be able to browse the honor collection books that do not leave the library.
- To schedule a visit, please email me and let me know what you'd like us to focus on for that visit. I sent out a library lessons menu, but the sky is the limit as to what we can do together. I will post the weekly media center schedule on the website and email it out so you know what's going on.
- I will also be scheduling the computer lab right off of the media center. It is available except during common planning block time daily. Please email me to schedule lab time. That schedule will also be sent out and posted weekly.
Individual and Small Group Visits
Special Events
I love having special events in the library! Here are some that I plan on continuing here at PVA. Of course more opportunities will arise throughout the year, so I will keep you posted about we have going on. If you know of a special event you think we could be a part of, please let me know that, too!
- National Library Card Sign-up Month
- Banned Books Week (older students)
- Trick or Treat with a Book
- International Games Week
- Picture Book Month
- After-school book-to-movie parties (older students)
- Celebrate Literacy Week
- Read Across America/Dr. Seuss' Birthday
- School Library Month
- Poetry Month
- SSYRA voting
- Author visits in person and via Skype
- Skype visits with other schools
And who knows what else?!
Educational Technology Tools
Sunshine State Books & Become the Ultimate Reader
We are fortunate to have SSYRA Jr. through SSYRA 6-8 now so all of our students can join in on the fun! I've posted all of the lists on the library website and our school library has at least one copy of each for check out.
The Become the Ultimate Reader program is something I used at the high school level to encourage students to read more and inspire some healthy competition. For each SSYRA book a student reads, they have the opportunity to earn a brag tag (think dog tag) they can wear proudly and a certificate you can display in the classroom. I will talk to students in grades K-2 to gauge their comprehension of each book to earn a tag and certificate. For students in grades 3 and up, I have created short answer questions they need to complete to earn their brag tag and certificate. Students who read all 15 books in their level will earn the distinction of becoming the Ultimate Reader!
We also have the Battle of the Books in the spring for students in grades 3 and up. If you know a student who LOVES to read, please encourage him or her to participate in Become the Ultimate Reader and the Battle of the Books!
I know we all have so much going on with a new school year AND a brand new school, so let me know if you have any questions about the library or what we can do for you. As the year goes on our library will grow and evolve, so stay tuned for updates. I look forward to working with you and your students!