Culbertson Library
Library Catalog | Grolier | World Book | Gazette | Library Home
  

Parents:
- About the Library
- Summer reading information
- Summer reading recognition form
- Birthday book information
- Library contact information

School and district sites:
- Bullying Prevention Program
- Teacher Web Pages
- Culbertson School Home Page
- Culbertson PTO Web Page
- MN School District Home Page

Internet safety:
- GetNetWise
- iSAFE Internet Safety Education
- Take a cybertour with "Jo Cool." Find out how savvy your child is about the internet (click on Cybertour-Flash Version)
- Internet "urban legends" and hoaxes (check before you forward alarming emails)

Recommended children's books and authors

Sources for used and out-of-print books



  

About the Culbertson Library

Our library is a great place for students to read, learn, and connect with stories, information and fun!

Welcome to the Library!

Mrs. Julie Samuels is Culbertson's professional, certified school librarian. Her credentials include two masters degrees: an MS in Library and Information Science from Drexel University and an MBA from Villanova University. She and her assistant, Mrs. Marianna Hamilton, encourage you to stop by Culbertson's Library. Parents may check out books to read to their children as well as the excellent Jim Trelease videos which will instruct and inspire you to help your children become enthusiastic readers.

Goals

The library program's goal is to help create lifelong learners who are "information literate." This includes encouraging an interest in reading, reinforcing reading skills learned in their classrooms, and using information to create new knowledge. The library program also strives to meet the information needs of students and staff as well as the recreational reading needs of students. Resources include reference books, online information databases, and a collection of fiction and nonfiction books at various reading levels.

Classes and Policies

Each classroom goes to the library once a week for instruction and to check out books. Students learn how to use the library's resources and technology, and they become acquainted with the wonderful world of children's authors, illustrators and literature. The professional librarian frequently takes the students to the computer lab to provide greater hands-on experience.

Books are checked out for one week, but may be renewed. Fines are not charged for overdue books, but no additional books may be checked out until ALL books are returned. Students must pay for any lost or damaged library books. The number of books a student may check out varies by grade level:

  • Kindergarten students check out one book per week at the beginning of the year. After becoming familiar with the library and demonstrating the ability to return books on time they check out two books.
  • First grade students are required to check out three books: one fiction or folktale picture book, one book to practice their new reading skills, and one book or magazine of their choice.
  • Second through fifth grade students are allowed to check out as many books as they can read and be responsible for in one week. Generally this is no more than seven or eight. If the books are heavy they are encouraged to bring half of them home at a time!
  • All students are welcome to come to the library when they arrive at school to return and check out new books. Some students do this almost every day!

Visiting Author

One of the most exciting events of the school year is the annual visit by a children's author or illustrator. On May 22, 2007 Tedd Arnold came to visit. He is both an author AND an illustrator of over 50 books!

Book Fair

Each year the library holds a week long book fair during National Children's Book Week. A high quality, independent bookseller provides fabulous books for us to sell and parent volunteers make the event possible! Proceeds benefit the library program. For details about the book fair, watch for a flyer in the Wednesday communication envelopes.

Birthday Books

Each year parents may donate $15.00 for a library book in honor of their child's birthday or half birthday. For more details, click here for the donation form.

Summer Reading

The district's elementary school librarians revise the suggested summer reading lists each year. To view the lists click here. To download the form for special recognition click here.

Volunteers and the PTO

Many, many thanks to our wonderful, hardworking, volunteers and supportive PTO! The library is very fortunate to have terrific parent volunteers who provide invaluable help with the many routine tasks involved in managing the library. Volunteers also use the online catalog to help children find books to check out. Interested in becoming a volunteer or volunteer substitute? Contact the PTO Library Committee Chair, Mrs. Donna Strainick.

Over the years the library has frequently received gifts from the PTO. These gifts have included books and computer equipment. We are very fortunate to have such a generous PTO.

Fifth Grade Newspaper: Culbertson Gazette

The librarian enjoys serving as the editor for the fifth grade newspaper. Participation is completely voluntary. Students may work on as many issues as they choose. Not only do they get an opportunity to inform the Culbertson community about a topic of interest, they also learn more about technology since they are required to produce their article or cartoon using various types of computer software and internet resources. To see past issues, click on the the button at the top of this web page.

Contact Information

Address: Culbertson Elementary School, 3530 Goshen Rd., Newtown Square, PA, 19073

Phone: Mrs. Samuels - 610-359-4343; Mrs. Hamilton - 610-359-4347

Email: Mrs. Samuels - jsamuels@mnsd.org;
Mrs. Hamilton - mhamilton@mnsd.org