Library Program

Overview

The Library is integral to the First Program school curriculum. The main goals of the library program are to cultivate a love of reading and develop early information literacy skills Students are challenged to be tenacious readers and researchers; they learn to observe closely and consider details in text, illustrations, and other forms of media.

The First Program Library has roughly 10,000 books in its physical collection to support the varied needs and interests of Dalton students, families, and faculty/staff. The library also provides access to hundreds of ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines that can be used at school or at home The collection is devoted to representing diverse voices, viewpoints, and experiences, both for scholarly inquiry and personal interest The library also provides access to a variety of digital resources in support of research and inquiry, including Britannica Elementary, PebbleGo, and World Book Kids, available through the library website.

As early as Kindergarten, the library program fosters independence, encouraging students to take ownership of the library, engage actively with the library’s resources, and center their choices and curiosity as they chart their own pathways in reading and research Kindergarten, first, and second grade students visit the library once a week for a 40-minute lesson, including time to browse and check out books. By third grade, students transition to an open library model, where they are encouraged to visit the library at any time throughout the day, providing them with greater agency in their use of the library.

First Program librarians work in close collaboration with House advisors across the grades Particularly in second and third grade, librarians co-teach, advise, and provide support to students during research projects, guiding them in their use of library resources through the TIGER research process. Through this process, students practice essential information literacy skills, from formulating research questions to evaluating resources to taking high-quality notes.

The library also includes a small makerspace, where students are encouraged to explore their creativity, work together, solve problems, and take on challenges. The space features a chalk wall, a Lego wall, and many low-tech maker materials, including but not limited to cardboard, tape, pipe cleaners, craft sticks, and rubber bands.

Throughout the year, the library hosts prominent award-winning authors and illustrators to present their work to the students and discuss their creative process. Leading up to these visits, students engage with the work of the visiting creators, formulating questions and considering their choices as writers and artists Past guest speakers include Oge Mora, Matt de la Peña, Grace Lin, and Sophie Blackall.

For more information, please visit the First Program Library website for more details about the library program, recommended book lists, and other resources.