The Burgess Elementary School Library serves the whole school community. It supports the school curriculum and encourages a lifelong love of reading and learning. The Burgess Elementary School Library is a member of the Massachusetts Library System and the Massachusetts School Library Association.
Resources
Students: More than 20,000 quality children's fiction, non-fiction, picture book and magazine titles are available to students in grades K-6 during regular Library classes and through additionally arranged visits.
Staff: Teachers have access to all books and more than 400 educational videos, DVDs, and CDs for classroom use. A collection of professional magazines and books supports the art of teaching.
Staff: Teachers have access to all books and more than 400 educational videos, DVDs, and CDs for classroom use. A collection of professional magazines and books supports the art of teaching.
Technology
A 23 station Library computer lab, with Internet access, is available to students and classrooms by pre-arrangement.
The Library also supplies and maintains a variety of media devices for use with various formats, including CDs, cassette tapes, floppy disk drives, VCR/DVD players, and overhead projectors.
A fully automated online card catalog, available through any school computer, may be accessed by the students and staff for the purpose of searching the Library catalog.
The Library also supplies and maintains a variety of media devices for use with various formats, including CDs, cassette tapes, floppy disk drives, VCR/DVD players, and overhead projectors.
A fully automated online card catalog, available through any school computer, may be accessed by the students and staff for the purpose of searching the Library catalog.
Teaching
A program of information literacy and literature appreciation is presented to all students in grades K-6 as part of the Burgess roster of special subjects. The program for grades 1-6 offers a combination of hands-on activities, practice with computers, direct instruction and read-alouds. These students borrow books and magazines for their own enjoyment and to fulfill classroom assignments. The program for Kindergarten students offers hands-on activities, some instruction, and story-time. These students are allowed to time to browse picture books within the library. Collaboration projects between classrooms and he Library occur whenever possible.
Reading Programs
Reading for pleasure gets a special boost each year when students are encouraged to participate in the school's winter reading program, presented by the Reading Department and supported by the Library. During this six-week event, the Library sponsors Read to Feed, Heifer International's reading incentive program empowering children to help end world hunger. Enrollment occurs in early January.
Borrowing Policies
All books and magazines are loaned to students for one week, due at the next scheduled class visit. Materials may be renewed and reserved. Kindergarten and first grade students borrow one book per week. All other students may borrow up to two books per week. Students may borrow more than two books if classroom assignments make this necessary. Students receive printed overdue notices in school. There are no fines for overdue items. Lost or damaged materials carry replacement fees. Parents are notified by mail when materials are long overdue, damaged, or lost. Teachers have a three-week, renewable borrowing period.
Collection Development
Library Materials Selection/Withdrawal Policy
Instructional Materials Selection Guidelines and Procedures
Instructional Materials Selection Guidelines and Procedures