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South Seneca Elementary Library Program

General Information

South Seneca Elementary School has two libraries. The primary library serves students in grade PK – 3. The elementary library (often referred to as the “upstairs” library) serves students in grades 4 and 5.

Grades PK – 5 attend a library class once each week to hear stories, learn about authors and literature, and conduct research for classroom and personal needs. They also have time to choose books to borrow. Individual students are welcome to exchange books whenever their classroom teachers allow them time to do that. The normal loan period is one week from the primary library, and two weeks from the elementary library. Students who lose or damage library books are expected to pay for this loss or damage.

Over the past few years, the librarians at South Seneca have been working to update our services through the use of electronic resources. We have access to the Internet and teach students to use and evaluate this vast source of information. Our catalog is available on the web, and we also have subscriptions to several online databases to facilitate student and staff research. Inter-library loans are available during the school year.

If you have any questions regarding the elementary library program, please feel free to contact Mrs. Beth McCheyne, the PK – 5 librarian by calling the elementary school, sending a note with your child, or sending an e-mail message to: bmccheyne@southseneca.k12.ny.us Current information on our library program is also posted on this website.

Library Checkout Policies:

Kindergarteners check out one book at a time.
Students in grades 1-3 check out 2 books at a time.
Students in grades 4-5 check out 3 books or magazines at a time.
All students are welcome to exchange books as ften as they would like to. They do not have to wait for the day of their library class.
Parents are also welcome to check out books. Stop in and see us!
No fines are charged for late materials, but we do bill for lost materials.

Information Literacy Standards

Library lessons are based on our national information literacy standards. In New York State, these standards have been integrated into the 7 core subject areas of the New York State Learning Standards. Library lessons at South Seneca Elementary are designed to reinforce these skills and complement the work students are doing in their classrooms. The list of information literacy standards is available at: http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/informationpower/informationliteracy.htm

Rubric for Library Grades

This rubric describes the general expectations for students in library and cybrary classes in grade K-5. Comment sheets are given with specific comments as needed. If you have further questions, please contact Beth McCheyne.

	S+	S	S- / I / N	U
Class Participation / Lesson Content	Consistently pays attention during lessons, and demonstrates understanding of the content of the lesson by answering questions that are asked or by following through with personal research needs.	Usually pays attention during lessons. Usually able to answer questions that directly stem from the lesson. Sometimes able to follow through to other research needs. Asks for help as needed.	Needs frequent reminding to stay on task. Frequently cannot answer questions. “Wanders” during personal research time.	Shows no interest of refuses to pay attention most of the time. Unable to answer basic questions. Unable to begin logical research procedure.
Library Rules and Procedures	Consistently demonstrates appropriate conduct for a library setting, follows procedures such as material sign-out, ILL, and class schedule. Independently demonstrates knowledge of research procedures.	Usually demonstrates appropriate conduct for a library setting. Follows procedures such as material sigh-out, ILL and class schedule with minimal reminders. Can pursue research techniques with prompting.	Frequently receives warnings for inappropriate conduct. Seems to forget procedures or refuses to follow them. Cannot pursue independent research at an appropriate level, even with prompting.	Shows no understanding, or refuses to follow library rules and procedures.
Borrowing and Returning Materials Appropriately	Uses library materials on a regular basis, and returns them within the allotted time. Exchanges books during library class and at additional times during the week as needed.	Exchanges books during library class. Occasionally receives overdue notices.	Borrows books infrequently, or receives overdue notices more than half of the time.	Shows no interest in borrowing or reading library materials.