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Book Notes
5 Ways Students Learn to Love Reading at St. Martin’s

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by BECKY STEWART
SMES LIBRARIAN A school library is more than a place to check out books. It is a rich ecosystem of information, technology and special events that together cultivate a lifelong love of reading in its student patrons. At St. Martin’s, the library is a place for students to gather and work independently and collaboratively, research topics within and beyond their curriculum and sit back to relax with a good book. Simply put, it is where children can learn that reading is fun. Check this out: More Than 15,000 Titles
The most important way the library inspires a love of reading is through access to an ever-expanding inventory of books. The library’s collection of more than 15,000 paper books and magazines and 12,000 e-books is constantly being updated with the latest and greatest titles to ensure students and faculty can always find what they need for both classroom assignments and personal enjoyment. When a student finishes one book, a school librarian is always ready to point them towards something new whether it’s the next book in their favorite series or to a genre or subject matter they have yet to explore. Readers CAN Be Choosers When a student feels ownership over their reading life, they are more likely to develop a love for reading. In the library, students are given the opportunity to choose which books they check out (within reason, of course). On occasion, a student will select a book above or below their reading level, but they are always enthusiastic about their choice. The library is especially effective at offering students a break from structured learning to pursue topics of interest. Offering a student the freedom of choice can not only spark a lifelong love of reading, but also of learning. “ HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH A STUDENT WHO IS EXCITED ABOUT A BOOK IS THE BEST PART OF MY JOB AND THE REASON WHY I COME TO WORK EVERYDAY.
WE TRY TO MAKE READING FUN. IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS DO ALONE. WE GIVE STUDENTS A CHANCE TO SHARE WHAT THEY’VE BEEN READING WITH THEIR FRIENDS.
4 3 Something for Everyone With more than 600 student patrons, ranging from infants to adolescents, and faculty members who teach varying subjects and grade levels, it is important for the school library to have a wide array of books to meet the diverse reading levels, interests and needs of its visitors. The library’s collection includes thousands of books and magazines in paper and digital form, but the range of available mediums does not end there. It also provides a variety of audiobooks as well as access to computers and other technologies so students may read books and articles in a myriad of ways. There is something for everyone at the SMES library. Better Together Sometimes reading is better when it’s done together. To foster a culture of reading at SMES, the library hosts several communitybuilding challenges and events throughout the school year. These include author visits by nationally recognized and award-winning writers and illustrators, surprise parent guest-readers, also known as mystery readers, birthday book parties where students with recent birthdays gather to pick out a book from a special selection and more. Elementary and Middle School students are even encouraged to read books nominated for the Georgia Children’s Book Award each year. 5 The students’ favorite event may be the one “borrowed” from college basketball. Every spring, the library hosts a March Madness Book Tournament where students and teachers are invited to vote for their favorite book and see if it can win. This year, the second half of the tournament was held virtually and the winning book was “The Pigeon Has to Go to School” by Mo Willems. Read by Example Another important way library staff teach a love of reading is by example. When children are aware that adults in their lives take time to read and discuss books, they are more likely to do so themselves. The SMES librarians can frequently be seen discussing their latest reads, talking to students about exciting new books or gossiping about what this or that character did or said in the last chapter.

Reading During Distance Learning

When St. Martin’s transitioned to distance learning, the librarians worked quickly to facilitate student, parent and faculty access to the library’s extensive online resources and materials. In response to school closures across the country, publishers and database vendors began to offer their products for free online. As a result, the St. Martin’s library received more than 8,000 free e-books to add to its collection in a single day.
Library class remained part of students’ curriculum throughout distance learning. Librarians offered “storytime” to students through recorded and live videos, and older students continued to develop their research skills through uniquely adapted assignments. For example, in their lesson on primary sources, students recorded their distance learning experiences so that a researcher in the future might be able to look back and understand what life was like for students in 2020. In these and many other ways, the librarians continued to nurture each student’s love of reading and learning from the safety of their own homes.