Library
Welcome to the Decatur Library!
Think – Create – Share – Grow
The library works to encourage a love of reading by providing a wide range of diverse texts, putting books into kids’ hands, and recommending what will develop their interests and skills.
Our library provides a safe and welcoming environment; offers programming that encourages students to read widely; and equips learners to ask questions, seek information, evaluate their findings, and communicate their learning in a variety of ways (these last items equate to media literacy).
Using the Seattle Public Library
All students have access to Seattle Public Library’s online collection. Sora and Libby are linked on students’ Clever pages. SORA is an eBook access point for children, and this guide explains how to access it at home. This video explains how to access Seattle Public Library and its other electronic resources.
Schoology- Visit grade level Library pages
Global Reading Challenge
The GRC is for 4th and 5th grade students to develop their love of reading in a collaborative group, reading multicultural texts together. One day a week from December to March, groups of students will read and review 8 books, supported by a volunteer in the library. Parent volunteers are needed for these groups. The program is explained best at Seattle Public Library’s page.
Picture Book Bingo
Grades 2-3
Best of 2024 Lists
Here are some Booklists that may interest you!
School Library Journal Best Books of 2024
Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 2024
Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of 24 for Children
New York Public Library Best Kid’s Books of 2024
Chicago Public Library Best Books 2024 (scroll down for children’s categories)
Kirkus Best Middle Grade Books of the Year
Kirkus Best Picture Books of the Year
Volunteers
The library needs volunteers. Checking in and shelving books, display and shelf maintainance, and GRC groups all depend on more than a part-time librarian can consistently provide. Whether you can come once in a while or volunteer on a more consistent basis,if you would like to help, we would love to have you!
Before volunteering in any school in the district a couple of forms, including a background check, need to be filled out and processed. You can find them here – SPS Volunteer Forms
Please email Jodie Purcell at jpurcell@seattleschools.org to let me know when you are available to help and we will figure something out. Many thanks!
-Jodie