Back after a Break
The Primary School Library Faculty Newsletter, which had been coming out on a monthly basis, took a bit of a break last year. But . . . it's back! I hope this will help you know what's going on in the library and the resources and services that we have to offer you. It's all about communication - so look for library communication to be available in a variety of ways, including:
- regular faculty newsletters online
- posts to the Primary School Library E-Bulletin Board blog (which you can subscribe to in Google Reader)
- IT/Library information board currently located in the PS Office
- posts to the PS Library Moodle news forum
- notices in the appropriate sections of the portals
The library schedule is posted on the bulletin board currently located in the PS Faculty Office. We don't anticipate further adjustments to the schedule at this point, but if changes need to be made, we will do our very best to accommodate them.
Library Password Key
Primary school students (and teachers) have their own "front door" to PS library resources. It is reached via the AIS home page under Academics -> Visconti di Modrone Library -> Primary School Resources. The password key for each of the pages is lposted on the bulletin board currently located in the PS Office. It is also posted in the library. Please make note of this password key and keep it handy in your classroom.
Library Accounts for Teachers
You must create a personal library account in OASIS to use the library catalog most effectively. With an account, you can make book lists and save them in your My Bookbag. You can also reserve books from the classroom or home and pick them up later. You can check at any time to see what books you have checked out in your name and when they are due. These are just a few of the benefits of creating and using your own personal OASIS account.
Here is how you do it --
1. Open OASIS - Library Catalog from the menu bar at the left side of the AIS intranet screen.
2. Click on "Sign In" in the upper right hand corner.
3. Enter your user name using the last name, then first name format (example “Hermann, Sharon”). Leave the password blank. Once you have logged on, please go to “My Account” and select the option at the top of the screen to change your login/password. Please add a password of your choice.
DO THIS NOW (pardon the "shouting") - it's just really important that you do this.
Teacher Accounts with Local Public Library
There is a wonderful public library, the Buckhead Branch of the Atlanta-Fulton County Library System, less than one-quarter of a mile away on Buckhead Avenue. It is open until 6 p.m. or later every night of the week. Teachers have the option to obtain a library card for this library, regardless of the teacher's county of residence,and this card can be used throughout the school year. What a wonderful way for a teacher to supplement the classroom and library resources that we have here at school! The public library catalog is online, so teachers can search for materials from school, place them on hold and pick them up at the end of the school day. Another DO THIS NOW, right? See me if you would like the form that you need to fill out.
PS Library Wish List at Amazon
The Primary School Library will maintain a wish list with Amazon. This list will be public, so it can be accessed by anyone from anywhere (including book stores - hint, hint). All one needs to know is the name of the list - AIS Primary School Library Wish List - to be able to see the books that we would love to have in the library and to move a book from our library wish list to one's personal shopping cart. Please let everyone know -- great place to get ideas for donations to the library in honor of a favorite teacher or a special student or even to commemorate a particular event!
Summer Reading Virtual Book Stores at Amazon Still Open
The summer reading lists are really useful all year round and parents often ask about them. The lists will remain posted through the school year and the links for purchase of the books through the AIS summer reading virtual book stores at Amazon will remain as well. Of course, the availability of the books may change over time, but please let parents know to continue to use the book stores for reading materials in all the languages of instruction.
New Online Resources for Older PS Students
We have several new database resources in our "virtual library", including specialized databases for biographical information, African-American history, science and global issues. These resources contain material suitable for upper primary grades through at least middle school. To find primary school resources in some of these databases, you must define your search so as to include only results that are at the basic level. We'll be looking at these resources through the school year during library time, but you may want to explore a little on your own. You may find just what you need for one of your units of inquiry!
