A licensed librarian staffs the Library/Media Center at PS 48. Ms. Driesen provides the school community, teachers and students with books, videos, computer databases and programs, assistance with online retrieval and support for the classroom The program, which services children in grades 1 through 5, consists of an integrated curriculum. Children participate in both the traditional library experiences sharing literature and themes involving books and computer science with an emphasis on information retrieval.
In the early childhood and primary classes, children spend time appreciating the combination of written word and illustration as a common experience. Read aloud stories and poems are shared. Art and writing activities drawing on the themes of the stories are an integral part of the library program. Shared literary experiences continue in the upper grades, but in addition, group projects involving research using books, periodicals and on-line sources also evolve. In the fourth and fifth grades, the research is extended into the classroom curriculum where Internet access is also available. Visits from published authors and professional storytellers augment the library experience throughout the year.
