Pre-K and Jr. K
During their weekly visit to the library, students develop their comprehension and early literacy skills through stories, songs, flannel-boards, and crafts.

Kindergarten
In library, students focus on different units of study throughout the year. Kindergarten lays the foundation for students to become lifelong library users and recognize the library’s centrality to the community. Initially, students learn about different sections of the library and become familiar with library procedures. Students begin to examine what types of stories they personally connect to and learn how to review literature. They learn that each person has unique reading interests, interprets books in their own way, and—most importantly that we are all individual readers. Students then go on to learn about the oral tradition of folktales and finally culminate the year learning about children from around the world—a study rooted in the understanding that we all share the same night sky.

Grade 1
Weekly visits to the library expose students to literature and promote enthusiasm for reading. Regular read-alouds during library class strengthen a child’s language and literacy skills and expand her vocabulary and comprehension skills. Students learn how to find books on the library shelves and how to choose books based on personal interest and reading level to promote effective independent reading habits. Students engage in a comprehensive introduction to research that focuses on learning how to use nonfiction text features to find information. In an integrated unit, students investigate birds by using both digital and print resources, and use this information for their combined science, art, technology, and library STREAM project. Children end the year with a study of folktales from around the world that focuses on finding the “truth” in these stories and verifying this information.

Grade 2
The second grade library curriculum promotes students’ independence in using the library and locating different types of library materials. Many hands-on activities enable students to discover how libraries are organized and how materials can be found. Students learn to use print and digital forms of reference materials, such as dictionaries and encyclopedias, which act as a foundation in the research process. Students further their research skills through an integrated STREAM project about animals. The students participate in a unit on folktale types, focusing on trickster tales, and use this knowledge during writer’s workshop to write pourquoi tales based on the animal they studied for their STREAM project. At the end of the year, students learn to analyze and share books by writing “Itty Bitty Booktalks.”

Grade 3
Students continue to navigate the complex organization of the library and learn how to use the patron’s catalog to search for materials for their reading pleasure. An American Library Association Book Award unit emphasizes the importance of having representation in visual images in books and allows students to practice discussing children’s literature. In connection with the social studies curriculum, students use research tools, such as the encyclopedia, databases, and web-based databases to find and analyze information about different countries. The year ends with a unit on the purpose of storytelling throughout history and a look at the different formats used to share stories and information with others. This unit prepares students to share with the community the knowledge they have accrued about a country by using visual, print, and dramatic formats.

Grade 4
Library work in fourth grade is closely coordinated with the classroom language arts and social studies curricula. Following a review of general library skills, including the use of the online catalog and locating materials on the shelves, students are exposed to a comprehensive study of literary terms that highlight genre, mood, pace, and characterization. In connection with their persuasive letter writing unit in writer’s workshop, students review the steps of the research process and learn to use databases. In a culminating integrated research project, aptly named “Herstory,” students conduct an in-depth study of a notable woman in history using books, reference sources, and websites. They learn how to create a works-cited document using Noodletools, an online research platform. Students end the year with a study of fables.

Grade 5
Embracing the concept of stories as windows and mirrors into the lives and cultures of others, the librarian regularly presents book talks introducing new acquisitions and thematically related titles. Students learn to identify different types and elements of literature in order to select books for independent reading that suit their interests. Discussions include intellectual property, plagiarism, and copyright laws. Skills reviewed include searching for print resources in the library, using keywords to find articles in online subscription databases and practicing with bibliographic citation. The library complements the grade 5 curriculum by curating both print and electronic resources needed for specific research projects, as well as providing contextual information and resources in advance of literature studies. In addition, note-taking and paraphrasing skills are reinforced. Students hone their library skills through the use of the patron catalog, recognizing call numbers, and locating materials on the shelves.

Grade 6
Continuing to enforce the concept of stories as windows and mirrors into the lives and cultures of others, the librarian regularly presents book talks introducing new acquisitions and thematically related titles. Students select books for independent reading based on their interests, with encouragement from the librarian to read a wide variety of genres. Discussions continue to focus on intellectual property, plagiarism, and copyright laws. Skills reinforced include searching for print resources in the library, using keywords to find articles in online subscription databases, and citing primary and secondary sources in NoodleTools. The library complements the grade 6 curriculum by curating both print and electronic resources needed for specific research projects, as well as demonstrating how to closely examine online sources for reliable information. Students hone their library skills through use of the patron catalog, recognizing call numbers, and locating materials on the shelves.

Grade 7
Although the librarian continues to present book talks introducing new acquisitions and thematically related titles, students often lead these presentations. They outline, create, and present book talks, and produce dynamic book trailers that advertise the books they have read. Students discuss ethical and integrity issues that center on intellectual property, plagiarism, and copyright laws. Skills reviewed include searching for print resources in the library, using keywords to find articles in online subscription databases, and citing primary and secondary sources, as well as using the note cards feature in Noodle Tools for note-taking and paraphrasing. The library complements the grade 7 curriculum by curating both print and electronic resources needed for specific research projects, and it integrates research skills learned in previous grades across all disciplines. Students use their library skills and knowledge of the patron catalog to locate fiction and nonfiction materials on the shelves.

The mission of the library program, guided by the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools in the United States, is to support the curricular needs of all students, to integrate the effective use of library and information resources in the curriculum, to provide an environment conducive to learning, study and research, to foster a lifelong appreciation of literature and reading for pleasure, to help students critically select and evaluate information in all formats and to support the faculty’s development of curricula and teaching strategies. Upper School library services are centered in two landmark rooms overlooking Central Park. Library staffing, hours, instruction and collections are designed to serve the needs of the whole Upper School community. Two librarians are available during and after school hours. Library research classes in grades 9, 10 and 11 are an integral part of the curriculum. Information literacy instruction, reader’s advisory and research assistance are available for all students on request. Librarians also assist faculty with research and the use of online information resources. Hundreds of new library resources are added annually to enrich learning for both students and faculty. The resources of a virtual library are available both in school and at home. The Library webpage provides access to the patron’s catalog and to numerous specialized subscription databases and eBooks, which contain the full text of thousands of periodicals, including The New York Times, encyclopedias and dictionaries. The library program is dedicated to maintaining the highest quality of instructional services, acquiring the best materials in all formats and keeping pace with the latest information technologies.