"The mission of the library media program is to ensure that students...are effective users of ideas and information"

The library media teacher

teaches essential information & technology skills - integrated with Bellingham School District's curriculum

is an advocate of reading - through guidance and promotion

manages and provides information services, systems, resources, and facilities

Policies For Teacher & Student Use Of The Library Media Center

General Information from the Librarian

BOOKS  Students have access to the library formally once a week with their class to check out books. Kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grade check out one book. They may take it home or keep one in their desk or cubbie to be read during SSR (silent/independent reading) time. 3rd, 4th & 5th grades 2 books or may have more when doing reports or projects. They may take one home and keep one in their desk or cubbies for SSR (silent reading) time. Students may keep books for one week or may come to the library to return books and check out new books any time during the week. If a student fails to return a book on time, we let them choose a book, and we place it on save for three days. Students are welcome to visit the library from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm with a pass to return books and do a new check out. Students and families are responsible for the care and return of library books.

· If a book is damaged or lost, please see the librarian for the cost of replacement for the book. Often a family can purchase a new book, ie. a paperback, to replace the lost or damaged book.

· Parents are encouraged to visit the library where an account will be created for them, and they may check out books to read to their children or for their own pleasure. See Connie or Cindy for accounts.

· Teachers, student teachers/postbacs: Materials may be checked out for the length of a unit of study. Please return them promptly after use.

· Teachers, student teachers/postbacs: Please check out books for classroom use only; books checked out to teachers should not go home with students. They need to come back to the library to have a book checked out in their name.

Library Computer Lab & Mini-Labs in Classrooms

Alderwood's computers are on a network, and all students and staff have access to computers for learning computer skills, information gathering, publishing their work and communicating with others. Students have computer mini-pods in their classrooms, have access to the computer lab in the library on a daily basis and receive weekly training with their class. Students will go through training on computer usage, computer skills, ethical use during computer usage and proper use of the Internet and e-mail. All staff has acess to the Internet and e-mail and sign an agreement out- lined in Board Policy. Grades 3, 4, & 5 students will have access to the Internet & e-mail after a training with the library/media specialist, and an agreement, outlined in the Bellingham School District's Policy, is signed by both the parents and students. (Board Policy)

Orientation and Scheduling The library media teacher may provide a library orientation for new staff, at the beginning of the year, and for student teachers, post-bac students, and college interns during the calendar year as needed.  Library media teacher and classroom teachers in the fall will plan a schedule of library, computer classes and research projects for the calendar year.

All books & other library materials, are checked out electronically. If Library staff is not available to check out equipment with you, a pad and pencil is provided on the check out counter.  Write your first & last name and the barcode number of the item you are checking out.  

A-V Materials/Professional Library   Feel free to browse through the video shelves to see videos in Alderwood’s collection that supports the curriculum.  A list of other videos is available through Roeder. Both collections are online. Roeder’s videos can be checked out by sending an e-mail addressed to Barb Hubbard. As the District’s video collection continues to expand, a list is usually sent to you by e-mail. We are very happy to assist you with this process of ordering. 

Teaming With The Library Please include Library/media teacher in your curriculum planning. She will be glad to meet with teams and individuals to help plan units of study.  She continues to order materials throughout the year and will be delighted to customize the collection to your instructional needs.   Please schedule in advance for use of the library space and research projects. A calendar of class projects will be developed with each classroom teacher and posted. Library/media teacher schedule is posted behind the check out counter and individual teachers are welcome and encouraged to sign up or change times.

Other services that the library and library staff provides includes:

For more information about our school, our home page, or to make comments on our HomePage please send e-mail to: Stephanie Korn, Principal: skorn @bham.wednet.edu or Connie Westhaver: Library Media Specialist cwesthav @bham.wednet.edu or write to: Alderwood Elementary School 3400 Hollywood Ave. Bellingham, Washington USA 98225 (360)676-6404