Fairport’s school libraries have played a key role in keeping students engaged in literacy during 2020’s change in the school schedule. For elementary students, ones of these changes is that students no longer go to the library, but rather the school library media specialist goes to each classroom to teach and brings a cart of books for students to choose from.

The switch from students going to a physical library space to staying in their classrooms has been challenging for staff, however it has highlighted the vital role of library services and the talented skills of staff, such as Jefferson Avenue Library Media Specialist Marie Banach and Library Clerk Cathy Finke.

“It is particularly important that our students are able to get the books they want, and as often as they want,” said Banach.

To do this, Finke delivers books that students have requested through the library’s online catalog to the students’ classrooms. The capability for students to place hold for books is new this school year.

“I only see each class once every five weeks and that would be a long time for students to have to wait for new books!” said Banach. “Mrs. Finke has been working hard to process the hold requests, pull the books and deliver them to the classrooms within a day of their requests, and many are even delivered on the same day!”

As another feature this year, more students are receiving instruction from the school library media specialist specifically on using the BOCES digital library – Sora (available online and as an app) – to obtain e-books and e-audiobooks. Also, the school’s library media specialist offers 1:1 in person or via Google Meet sessions with students to assist in identifying books.

Photo Caption: JA Library Clerk checks out books for students in their classroom.