Parent Volunteers Return to Helping During Library Class Visits November 2021
I am looking forward to welcoming back parents to assist in the school library!
- We will limit the help to one parent at a time when children are present
- We will begin with our bank of 40 experienced library volunteers who will be emailed the week of 11/8/21 about interest & schedules
- Before your first shift, please review the general procedure information below
- We will phase in new library volunteers over time. Please email hsnively@mbusd.org if you would like to add your name to the list of potential library volunteers. Training on library systems and operations will be provided.
Library Book Shelving Project Begins October 2021
LIBRARY BOOK SHELVING PROJECT
Beginning mid-October two people at a time will help shelve book returns when students are not present: Wednesday 1:00-1:30 and Friday 3:00-3:30. Thank you for your patience as we work out health and safety protocols with a handful of randomly selected experienced library volunteers. This is the first time parent volunteers have been able to help in the library since March 2020. Welcome Back!
Beginning mid-October two people at a time will help shelve book returns when students are not present: Wednesday 1:00-1:30 and Friday 3:00-3:30. Thank you for your patience as we work out health and safety protocols with a handful of randomly selected experienced library volunteers. This is the first time parent volunteers have been able to help in the library since March 2020. Welcome Back!
Volunteer Update from the Principal September 27, 2021
"A small number of parent volunteers will be allowed to help in the Library and in Makerspace either after school or when students are not present in the room. I will be working with Mrs. Snively and Ms. Paki along with our PTA to make this happen. Thank you for your willingness to help! Parent volunteers on campus will need to submit proof of a vaccine, a recent negative COVID-19 test, and wear a mask while on campus. Thank you for your cooperation and more details will soon follow." --Principal Tara Grings
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Library Systems and Operations Training
NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Training session dates and times to be announced.
Attendance at one training session will be mandatory for new volunteers. The one-hour session will include a library tour, an introduction to the catalog, a tutorial of the circulation system, and shelving procedures.
Before attending a training session, please read the following:
Training session dates and times to be announced.
Attendance at one training session will be mandatory for new volunteers. The one-hour session will include a library tour, an introduction to the catalog, a tutorial of the circulation system, and shelving procedures.
Before attending a training session, please read the following:
The Grand View Library is a wonderful, busy place with excellent resources for students, staff, and parents to share. Volunteers assist with routine circulation desk tasks, help students locate materials, shelve books, and help with light cleaning. Thank you for your interest in helping our students in the library! Your active participation shows your children how much you value libraries, books, and reading -- a powerful message! Our volunteers are known nationwide! Read the article in School Library Journal.
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Library Mission

The goal is for children to have a positive experience in the library. This is where YES happens! The library is the place to foster a love of reading to complement directed classroom reading and language arts instruction. In the library our learners exercise personal choice.
I subscribe to The Three Bears Philosophy when it comes to reading: sometimes a student will choose a difficult book because he or she is fascinated by the subject, and it feels good to have a “big kid book" about what he or she is interested in. Other times a student will choose an easy book because a little relaxation is needed after stretching the brain muscle all day. Of course, sometimes the student needs to be paired with the book that is just right for a research project or for reading practice, and that guidance will be provided by the teacher.
I subscribe to The Three Bears Philosophy when it comes to reading: sometimes a student will choose a difficult book because he or she is fascinated by the subject, and it feels good to have a “big kid book" about what he or she is interested in. Other times a student will choose an easy book because a little relaxation is needed after stretching the brain muscle all day. Of course, sometimes the student needs to be paired with the book that is just right for a research project or for reading practice, and that guidance will be provided by the teacher.
General Procedures

Volunteers perform routine circulation desk tasks,assist students with locating materials using the online catalog, shelve books, and help with light cleaning.
Prior to volunteering in the library, all volunteers must have a recent TB test on file in the school health office and attendance at a training session is mandatory for new volunteers. General information is below. Please do not feel you have to know everything right away. Over time you will grow to be comfortable with our school library operations and services.
Students visit the library with their class once a week for 30 or 45 minutes. As they enter they return their books for check in or for renewal, then they sit on the rug for a read-aloud experience, information skills activity, or other presentation. During this time the volunteer checks in or renews materials and shelves returned items. Check out books once the children have made their selections. Straighten shelves, check that books are in exact order, and dust as time permits. Other tasks may be offered on an as needed basis.
Prior to volunteering in the library, all volunteers must have a recent TB test on file in the school health office and attendance at a training session is mandatory for new volunteers. General information is below. Please do not feel you have to know everything right away. Over time you will grow to be comfortable with our school library operations and services.
Students visit the library with their class once a week for 30 or 45 minutes. As they enter they return their books for check in or for renewal, then they sit on the rug for a read-aloud experience, information skills activity, or other presentation. During this time the volunteer checks in or renews materials and shelves returned items. Check out books once the children have made their selections. Straighten shelves, check that books are in exact order, and dust as time permits. Other tasks may be offered on an as needed basis.
Shelving Procedures

It is imperative to shelve items correctly. If a book is in the wrong place it's as good as lost! Ask for help if you are not sure where something goes. When shelving, first scan the shelf for misfiled books. Items that are only slightly out of place can be immediately put in order. Items that are "far from home" should be brought to Mrs. Snively's attention. They may have been marked as missing.
Destiny Catalog
Library Map Color / Black and White
Shelving Guidelines.
Dewey Decimal Chart.
The Caveman's Guide to the Dewey Decimal System. (Thank you Mount Erie Elementary, Anacortes, Washington!)
Destiny Catalog
Library Map Color / Black and White
Shelving Guidelines.
Dewey Decimal Chart.
The Caveman's Guide to the Dewey Decimal System. (Thank you Mount Erie Elementary, Anacortes, Washington!)
SHELVING TIPS AND TRICKS
This video was made by the library at Pacific Northwest College of Art. While we do not do everything the same way they do, it provides good tips and tricks to shelving books.
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The Circulation Desk: Where ACCURACY Is More Important than SPEDE
- Check in or renew all items before checking out new materials. Watch the screen during the transaction for accuracy and messages.
- Students may check out the number of items that corresponds to the grade they are in: first graders get one item, second graders get two items, and so on. Kindergarten students check out one book per child to be kept in the classroom, not taken home. Student materials are given a one-week due date using the black ink pad and its stamp. Students are allowed one bookmark per visit, not one per book, or the bookmarks will end up as litter on campus.
- Teachers may check out an unlimited number of items. Use the red ink pad and its stamp to indicate a two-week due date.
- Audiovisual materials are for staff use only.
This and That

Be present in the moment for the kids... "be here, now." While checking out books engage the student in a conversation about his or her choice, or make a positive statement about the choice. Talk to the student rather than to the parent working alongside you.
If there is no action at the circulation desk and all the books are shelved, then it's time to straighten, organize, and clean. Straightening means to make sure the books are lined up at the front edge of the shelf for an overall neater appearance. Organizing means to make sure each book is shelved exactly by it's call number. A daily organizing chart is posted so all areas will benefit from this service. Cleaning means to dust the shelves, even behind the books. Dusting is not any more fun here than it is at home, but it is an important task. Supplies are under the sink.
If there is no action at the circulation desk and all the books are shelved, then it's time to straighten, organize, and clean. Straightening means to make sure the books are lined up at the front edge of the shelf for an overall neater appearance. Organizing means to make sure each book is shelved exactly by it's call number. A daily organizing chart is posted so all areas will benefit from this service. Cleaning means to dust the shelves, even behind the books. Dusting is not any more fun here than it is at home, but it is an important task. Supplies are under the sink.
But Wait, There's More!
- Please turn off your cell while volunteering at school.
- Please respect privacy and student confidentiality.
- Parent volunteers assist all students, not just their own child.
- The time spent helping at school should not be used to talk to the teacher about your child. Please make arrangements for a conference.