The Prentice school library is approximately 900 sq. feet located in one and a half portables at the back of the school in rooms 501 and 502. Room 501 is the main library which houses most of the library while room 502 primarily contains the biography and fairy tale books, teacher material and all the educational DVD’s and videos. The library is bright and cheery. In the main library, there are four large library tables, each with four wooden library chairs. Seating is enough for one class to use the library at a time. The secondary library has two large library tables, each with four wooden library chairs. Students may use the secondary library when accompanied by the librarian.
The library has many technical resources. There are five student computers with internet connection, a Hitachi Star Board smart board, an overhead projector that can be controlled from the librarian’s computer, a 40” flat screen television, a Blu-Ray/DVD player, a scanner and a color laser printer. There are also five DSLR cameras for the yearbook student staff members to borrow. Fifth grade and older students may borrow the cameras during recess and lunch after they have been instructed on the proper use and handling of the cameras.
Various electronic resources are available for library, faculty and student use. The library uses Follett Destiny for its library management. This software is used for circulation, cataloging new items, accessing the catalog, library statistics, inventory, patron management, and reports. It is hosted by Follett, which gives students the ability to access the library’s OPAC from their home computer or smart phone. The library also has a subscription to World Book Online. This allows the student to access World Book’s encyclopedias and digital libraries from any internet connection at school or home. The Reading Counts program by Scholastic is also an electronic resource of the library which quizzes the student on their comprehension on a book; however, it is only available through the school network.
The library has a volume of over 12,000. This number includes picture books for young readers, beginning chapter books, chapter books, non-fiction books in many different subjects, and reference books. The materials come in the format of hardback and paperback books, books on tape, and books on CD, educational DVD’s and VHS tapes.