The Consolidated School Library is also known as the Madelyn Ruel Library named in honor of a long-time fourth grade teacher. In 2001 the Friends of the Port School (FOPS), now organized as Kennebunkport Consolidated Parent Teacher Association (KCPTA), completely refurbished the room. Now the more than 10,000 volumes including books, videos, audio books, periodicals, software, and on-line data bases are housed in an area with state-of-the-art adjustable shelving, attractive tiered seating for story times, and comfortable chairs and tables for desk work.
Each class visits the library for stories or library skills instruction each week. In addition, there are many open blocks of time in which students are welcome to use the facility in a less formal and more self-directed manner. Special library times may also be requested by staff or arranged by the librarian for specific projects.
Library Curriculum Overview:
The library provides materials to support the curriculum at every grade level. Additional materials are purchased to support student interest and to maintain a balanced collection. Every effort is made to provide individual instruction as needed and to support individual classroom units with age appropriate materials. Library skills units are staggered with read aloud choices to provide variety for students and pique their interest for certain types of literature or the writing of individual authors.
Attention is focused on authors and illustrators. The main goal is still the pleasure of reading but emphasis is placed on the vast information available. Students recognize there are various sections in the library and are able to follow a basic floor plan.
By second grade, students are able to identify specific sections of the library. The dinosaur research project ensures that each student has used reference materials and has a basic understanding of citing a source.
The library supports the endangered species reports as well as other research projects. Students are shown table of contents and indexes to aid in locating specific information. Comparing/contrasting a book and movie and a poetry unit are also included. Using the OPAC (on-line public access catalog) is taught as individuals need instruction.
Fourth grades are introduced to the following reference tools: atlas, almanac, encyclopedia, dictionary, and thesaurus. Strategies for choosing appropriate reference books are integrated into this unit. A specific index is studied in depth to provide skills for using other indexes. An overview of the features of OPAC (on-line public access catalog) is provided.
Solving a mystery by using the various reference tools covered in grade four reinforce information skills. Strategies such as skimming and looking at topic headings are included. The library supports Civic Oration presentations and affords students an additional opportunity for storytelling. Writing book reviews, OPAC usage and basic internet research skills are also covered.