Third graders have been busy learning how to navigate the library with growing independence. They have been visiting the library once a week to develop skills in finding fiction and non-fiction books, using the catalog, learning how to use Sora to access e-books and audiobooks, and placing holds on library books that are currently checked out. Some of their challenges have been to create a title and cover for a fiction book they might write someday, and “shelving” this book, creating a non-fiction book finder challenge for students in the other cohort, and determining call numbers by searching the catalog. Students had a chance to contribute to our library catalog curation by recommending favorite books to be featured alongside teacher recommendations. Even more exciting, they are now able to check out books independently using the library self-checkout station! Check in with a third grader if you need some tips on navigating the many aspects of the Erskine Library.
– Amy Sprung and Julie Saidenburg, school librarians, and Larissa Rochford, third-grade teacher
