Library

As a learning hub, the Library program nurtures life-long intellectual curiosity and love of story. Our resources, teaching, and support extend beyond the library walls so the entire community can have equitable access to finding, evaluating and using information for their educational, informational and recreational needs.

The curriculum is designed to foster empathic problem solving by using authentic, project-based research skills and explorations of multiple identities in literature. In a stimulating, risk-taking, collaborative environment students develop into critical thinkers, multimedia content creators, and avid readers.

All members of our community can access our audio, e-book, and print collections, online subscription databases, summer reading lists, and a host of other resources by visiting our virtual library. Many of these materials can be accessed and used on any mobile device. A number of Kindle Fires are available for checkouts for a limited time for those needing such a device

MISSION

The mission of the library is to provide a learning environment in which students are encouraged to ask questions, and to seek answers, to read, write, study, and create, to provide a collection that enriches and extends the curriculum, and entices students to read, to provide instruction that is literature based, as well as instruction in information literacy and research skills, and by setting an intangible tone of warmth and acceptance, an atmosphere conducive to study, research, creation and exploration.

Guidelines & Policies

Resources

Loan Policies

It is library policy to make resources accessible to the community in an equitable manner. Therefore, books circulate for three weeks and can be renewed unless requested by another patron. As a general reminder, overdue notices are sent out three times a year. (November, February, and May). While there are no fines for overdue items, replacement costs will be levied for lost or damaged materials at the end of each school year. The Business Office will bill them to students’ home addresses.

Digital Citizenship

The job of helping students become responsible and respectful users of a rapidly ever-evolving world of digital access and content is a community endeavor. We encourage you to have conversations with your sons about the rights and responsibilities that such tools offer. Fenn will offer periodic parent educational events around digital citizenships, and the pros and cons of particular apps or web 2.0 programs. In addition, please feel free to stop by the library if you’d like some advice.

Volunteering

The work of the library is supported by a committed group of parent volunteers. The opportunities are as varied and as numerous as our collection. For more information check out the Parent Association (PA) volunteer page.

Summer Reading

We expect boys to read during summer vacation. We assign summer reading for a variety of reasons. Boys often discover the pleasure of recreational reading by exploring the selections from the summer reading list. There is also no doubt that boys approach the new school year in a better state of academic readiness if summer reading has stimulated their minds. Recreational reading is also one of the most effective ways for students to build vocabulary and to learn the skill of interpreting inferences. Finally, summer reading can provide an opportunity for family-wide conversations, and we encourage several members of the family to read the same book and discuss it.

To foster excitement about books and reading, boys, teachers, and librarians have recommended a wide range of summer reads. Please note the lists are a suggested starting point not an exclusive source of reading choices. Specific questions about appropriate selections can be directed to English teachers, the English Department Chair, school and public librarians, or other parents.