Library Information:

Our students use the library media center and its materials for their curriculum educational requirements and reading enjoyment. The library collection is made up of books, magazines, audio-visual materials (audio/video cassettes, maps, globes, computer software) and online subscription databases. We may request materials from other school libraries through the School Library System.

All Kindergarten - Second grade students come for a weekly 45-minute instructional period. Their lessons range from book care rules to online database researching. The Third - Fifth graders come every other week for a 20-minute book exchange.  These students operate on a flexible schedule so their teacher schedules time to come the library to work on research projects or special assignments.  If a student needs more reading material he/she may come to the library in the morning from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. Orchard Park Central School Homework Guidelines recommend students read each night. The best way to raise a reader is to READ, READ, and READ.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question:

What is the time period for circulation of library materials?

Answer:

Books and magazines are checked out for a week. Students may renew their book if they need extra time to finish reading them. Reference books remain in the library and may be used there during school time.

Question:

What if a student forgets to bring his/her books on their library day?

Answer:

If a student forgets his/her book others will have to wait for that book, so we encourage students to return forgotten books the following morning. I am very flexible!

Question:

When is my student's library day?

Answer:

On the Eggert Library homepage, in the table, there is a link to the Library Schedule.

Question:

What if a student is not done reading his/her book and it’s library day?

Answer:

Books need to be brought to the library each week, even if the student is not finished reading the book. Quiet reading is done while students are checking out their books. The student is encouraged to renew a book they have not finished yet.

Question:

What if a book becomes lost?

Answer:

Parents, please send a note that requests the student to check out other books while you are searching for the lost book. We generally wait until the end of the school year to accept payment for lost books. Books do turn up in classroom collections and in different places around the house. Keep searching. In June, notices for lost book payment are sent. Checks are made out to Orchard Park Central Schools. If the lost book is found and returned, a refund will be sent from District Office.

Question:

What happens to damaged books?

Answer:

Minor damage like small tears or pen or pencil marks can be repaired at our "book hospital”. Books beyond repair, or those damaged by food or liquid cannot be reshelved with the regular collection, and a replacement copy must be purchased. Parents will be notified as to the cost of the replacement copy. To avoid food damage to books carried in a backpack, students are urged to place library books in a plastic bag for carrying between home and school. 

Question:

Why do we get notices when we already returned the book?

Answer:

The overdue notices may be printed a few days before the students bring them home. It is possible for a book to be returned after the notice has been printed, but before the student receives it. Please check the date of the notice.

Question:

What if the book is too advanced for the student?

Answer:

It is important to teach students the skills necessary to select independent reading materials suitable to their own personal interests and abilities. The students should be using the Five Finger Test to select their chapter book.  The Five Finger Test helps the student tell if the book is right for them.  The procedure for the Five Finger Test is as follows:

Open the book to the middle.
Read the page aloud.
Hold up one finger for every word you cannot pronounce or do not know.
If you have 4 or 5 fingers up at the end of the page the book is not right for you.  If you have 3 fingers up the book could be too hard.  If you have 2, 1, or no fingers up, the book is right for you. 
If a child comes home with a book too advanced, parents should feel free to return the book with a note to the librarian's attention and a different book will be selected.

Question:

How can parents contribute to the library program?

Answer:

Read to children and be seen reading by them. Showing them that reading is fun and rewarding will encourage them to read. We appreciate volunteers. Volunteers are scheduled for 2 hours of work on one day a week to shelve or mend books. If that is more time than a parent has to contribute, please sign up as a substitute when regular workers cannot come. Also, the PTO parent puppet troupe presents four puppet plays each year and needs helping hands.

If you have any other questions, email Kerra Mazzariello at kmazzariello@opschools.org