Welcome to our libraries!
Welcome families to the magical world of the five Whitewater Unified School District's libraries.
Each library in our district is a warm and welcoming space.
Each is staffed with a Library Paraprofessional (or two) and managed by our District Library Media Specialist, Kathy Retzke.
- MISSION STATEMENT - It is the goal of the Library Media Centers to promote reading, supplement the curriculum with materials within and beyond the library walls, and teach students to access and use information wisely as lifelong learners in an informational age.
- Our District webpage for our libraries has been recently updated and has links to all of the reading programs we subscribe to that you can use with your students.
- Go to the District website, Menu, Departments, Library Resources, OR click on this link to take you there https://www.wwusd.org/page/library-resources or use the bookmark that is available in all of our libraries for our students Reading Resources Bookmark.
- You can even Request a Book for any of our libraries on our website page. Suggestions will be evaluated and if purchased you will be notified so that you are the first person to check out the title!
- Each classroom in the elementary buildings and middle school is scheduled for a 6-day cycle or weekly visit to our libraries. Each visit starts with an introduction to an author, topic or theme to get students sparked about reading!
- During this time students may choose any books that interest them. Depending on their age they will check out 1-2 books each visit. Books are checked out for 2 weeks.
- If they need more books for a project they can always check out additional books. The libraries are open daily and if they finish a book they are welcome to visit on their own to check out new materials or renew books.
- We ask that children return books in a timely manner so that others can enjoy them. Students will be notified each visit of materials that are checked out to them. Notes may also go home to families via backpacks or email.
- If a book is lost or damaged it is the responsibility of the student to pay for its replacement. This can be discussed with the library paraprofessional that works in each building.
- The High School library is open a bit before and after school each day. Students are welcome then or ANYTIME during the school day to check out materials. We always have the latest HOT titles for our students and are open to requests!
- Each time new books are received in the HS library, an email is sent out to all students with a slide show describing the titles!
- The High School library is also the hub for all textbooks. Textbooks are checked out for the entire school year whereas general choice reading is checked out for 2 weeks.
- We ask that students return books in a timely manner so that others can enjoy them. If a book or textbook is lost or damaged, it is the responsibility of the student to pay for its replacement. Emails will go home throughout the year to remind students/families to return items.
- We almost doubled the number of students participating from our first year to our second year of BOB! This year we are adding a high school competition as well!
- The lists were posted and sent home in June. You can also find them linked further down in this newsletter. Your library staff members have been reading these titles all summer and there are some wonderful books we will be discussing!
- Paper copies of the books should be available in all of our libraries.
- The Irving L. Young Memorial public library also has a display where the books are available.
- We also have digital copies and audiobooks available on SORA.
- We will provide information to all students the end of October/beginning of November about this year's titles. Teams will be formed in November and meetings will start after Thanksgiving. We will meet in December and January. During these meetings we will review titles, note taking and team work to complete the 20 books on the list. We will also have practice battles prior to each school's building battle in February and the state competition.
Book Fairs will take place during fall and spring parent conferences at the elementary and middle school buildings. This will be the week of November 4th and the week of February 14th. Your child will have an opportunity to visit the book fair during the school day and make a "wish list" if they desire. Fairs will only be open for shopping during conference times.
