Dear Hamblen Families,

Welcome to the 2007 – 2008 school year. My name is Ginny Pounds and I am the new Library Teacher. I want your child to read lots of books this year and I have many fun and engaging activities for your child to do in the library.

Library Class has changed quite a bit over the years. With the arrival of the information age, the library has two areas of focus: Literacy Development and Research. Literacy is no longer confined to the classroom. The librarian and the classroom teacher work together to make sure that students have the skills they need to choose informational and recreational reading. Students today need to know how to find, evaluate, and use information.

It is important to me that the library be an engaging, safe, fun, and purposeful place for your child. In order to do that, students need to understand library procedures and expectations.

Checkout expectations are: When you borrow something, take care of it, and then return it in a reasonable amount of time. If you lose or damage materials, please replace the item or pay for a new item. If you have an over due book, you cannot check out another book.

The library is all about finding, evaluating and using information. That is not always a quiet task! However, students need to be respectful when others are sharing. Students should be listening whether it is the teacher or another brilliant student talking! The library is also about sharing materials: everything from pencils to books to computers. It is absolutely crucial that students take care of materials and are thoughtful of others while using library materials.

The district requires that I give grades for library class. Grades 4-6 receive letter and effort grades. Grades 1-3 receive numerical and effort grades. I respect the fact that students in general work at a different pace; as long as a student is trying their best I will honor their efforts!

I hope that this year your child has a truly rewarding and fun time in the library! If you ever have questions, please feel free to contact me. You can reach me by phone at: 354-2870 or E-mail: ginnyp@spokaneschools.org .

For more information about the Hamblen Library and links for student websites, http://www2.spokaneschools.org/Schools/Elementary/Hamblen/staff.htm

If you would take a moment to sign the attached paper and return it to school I would really appreciate it!

Thank you,

Ginny Pounds

LIBRARY EXPECTATIONS

I have read this letter with my child and we understand the behavior expectations of the library.

Student’s name____________________________________________

Parent’s name_____________________________________________