1. Annual Report
Of the
Learning Center
June 2011
Submitted by
Kathy Lawrence

2. CCSU Library Mission
Think Create Share Grow
The mission of CCSU libraries is to create inviting learning
environments that inspire and honor curiosity, creativity,
and collaboration. In partnership with students and staff, we
support and recognize reading as the foundation for
students to become skilled in multiple literacies. We strive to
ensure that students become successful lifelong learners.
Vision
Given our stated mission, we envision:
That weekly whole-class visits are used to expand upon
classroom instruction and learn about and through books
of many kinds.
That students have access to a diverse collection of
information and literature in both print and online
environments.
That students can explore technology tools to create
digital products that reflect their learning.
That the library program is fully integrated with the
curriculum and that there is ongoing dialogue between
classroom teachers and the librarian.
That the library offers a supportive environment for
readers of all ages.

3. Our Staff
Fast facts
The Learning Center services over 225 students and 45 staff members
13 classes per week come to the Learning Center
An average of 45 students a week visit the library outside of their
scheduled class time.
There are approximately 10,000 volumes in our collection
Circulation of materials averages about 15,000 items per year
7 public computer workstations are available to students, staff, and
community members
Monthly reports can be accessed in this livebinder using the key: LC
#of visits to library webpage: 293

4. Facility Use
During the school year the library space is used for many
purposes, including:
Small group work with
teaching assistants
Big/little program time
Small group work with
kindergarteners for reading
Assessments
Team meetings
After-school workshops
and trainings
PTO meeting childcare space
Volunteers
Jeanne and Linda were a tremendous help to us this year.
We rely on them for help with shelving, copying, bulletin
boards, preparing for inventory, and other small but
necessary tasks that keep the library functioning
smoothly.

5. Partnerships and Connections
This year I have met
twice a month before
school with the
Summit Street
librarian to work on a
curriculum map for
library classes and to
plan more
collaborative projects
for next year.
The Learning Center maintains a strong
connection with the PTO. PTO members
have assisted with the book fair and have
pledged their support for an emergent
reader program next year.
Connections with
our parents are
critical. The
Learning Center
communicates
through our
webpage, our
parent blog, and
our monthly Third
Thursday meetings.

6. Program Highlights
September
“Tech Tuesdays” were begun to provide professional
development to staff members around technology integration
Brownies and browsing held for staff to preview new books for
2010-11
October
Began working with a small group of kindergarteners for extra
support two days a week (this continued all year)
November
Weekly library “job” established for child in need of positive
behavioral support (continued throughout school
year)
Guided research with one third grade class
December
Guided research for Native Americans unit of study
with all three third grade classes
Scholastic Book Fair held
January
“Reading is an Investment” pilot program (grade 2) begun on
financial literacy
Assisted with mini-lessons in one second grade class
Recorded narration for two classroom projects (grade 2 and
grade 3)
February
A record high (67 families) registered for our tenth annual
Family Reading Night
March
Author visit with Lita Judge
Data and photos collected for Vermont Library Snapshot Day
Integrated Arts Sharing Night (grade 2)
April
Integrated Arts Sharing Night (grade
3)
Subscription to Tumblebooks
(ebooks) begun; Total full book views to date: 1054
May
“Guys Read” book group organized and implemented
Presentation at PTO for emergent reader program
June
10th annual book swap
scheduled/held
Presentation of summer reading
opportunities at Brownell Library by
Mary Graf
Inventory scheduled to be
completed by June 21, 2011

7. Service and Publications
Co-representative for Northwest II region for Vermont School
Librarians Association
Board member Vermont School Librarians Association
Co-coordinator of the PATH to Wellness program
Member of the MAPELCWL Hiawatha team
Member of the Kindergarten team 2010-11
Member of Hiawatha’s technology team
Author of library blog for parents:
www.heslc.wordpress.com
(831 views as of 6/12/11)
Author of professional blog for fellow librarians:
www.buchlady.wordpress.com
(2411 views as of 6/12/11)
Quoted in December issue of Library Sparks in article about book
swaps
Committee member for planning of the Dynamic Landscapes
conference
Committee member for the planning of
Vermont’s first Library Snapshot Day

8. Professional Development
This past year I shared representation of the
CCSU librarians with Philip Crawford in the
CVEDC digital storytelling series with Bernajean
Porter.
I participated in three online webinars in the
evening sponsored by edmodo.com and
TeachersFirst.com.
I made one half-day visitation to
Chamberlin School to observe the
librarian there.
I attended one day of the two day Dynamic
Landscapes conference in May.
I attended monthly meetings with the CCSU
district librarians. This year we worked with
Judy Kaplan, UVM coordinator of the Library
Media Studies sequence on two occasions. Judy
helped us to frame our efforts to assess our
programs and develop a vision and goals for the
future.
I continue to grow professionally by reading and
following a number of blogs on a daily basis, 33
in all. (12 for ed tech, 7 for children’s literature,
10 for librarianship, and 4 for SMART board
resources.)

9. Tech Integration Projects
Photostory created with 2
students: “Being Kind at
Hiawatha”
Photostory about unit of
study on trees created for
Mrs. Peet
Photostory about food service created for
kindergarten teachers for use at
kindergarten screening/registration
Glogster created for Ms. Ouellette’s unit of
study of native people of the Champlain
Valley Basin
Photopeach (digital story)
about a topic of interest
(alligators) created with one
student from 3rd grade

10. Future Directions/Next Steps
Continue to collaborate with librarian
colleagues in the district and outside
of the district (Essex Town in
particular is interested in working
with us)
Capture time with classroom
teachers to more effectively
collaborate. A new model for
Monday staff and team meeting time
might help here.
Use curriculum maps with each
grade level team as a starting
place for collaborative projects
Continue with development and
implementation of a K-1
emergent reader program,
beginning October 2011
Find ways to communicate the
mission and vision of the library
Continue to reach out to families
Teach the Destiny QUEST feature to third graders
next year as an alternative to Destiny basic