Library Page

Hi!  My name is Julie Brown, and I am the librarian at the Mercer and Smithfield elementary schools.  On Wednesdays and Fridays I am at the Smithfield School, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Mercer.  Mondays I alternate.  Each month I have an author-of-the-month (or feature of the month, such as fantasy), usually a different one at each school; my choice is based on the material available at the libraries and calendar events such as authors’ birthdays.  For the younger students’ library time I usually read to them before they choose their books; often my choice of a book is related to what they are doing in class.  The older students do library skills and library-related  projects.  Since I am new in this position, I experiment to find out what students respond best to and also what the teachers like.

     Besides the usual library business (checking out books; keeping track of overdue materials; ordering, processing, and shelving books; making repairs; trying to keep up with the interests of the students so I can recommend reading material, etc.) I have various projects in the works, such as expanding areas in which teachers indicate that there is a need, in which students show an interest, or where there is a lack.  I am trying to add to our selections of Maine authors.  We are also researching sign language selections and captioned videos.  Multicultural offerings are exciting to consider.  As I get to know the students, I am trying to find ways to incorporate their interests into the choices of books and activities the library might provide.  I always look forward to parent input as well.