Libraries & Digital Media Centers
It is the mission of the Library Media Center to foster a love of literature among our students, to serve the information needs of the entire school community, and to ensure that the students and staff are effective users of ideas and information.
LIBRARY CATALOG LIBRARY RESOURCES summer reading
To accomplish this mission ESK features not one but two libraries which provide intellectual and physical access to materials in all formats.
The Jane L. Pettway Media Center opened in 2011 in Googe Hall, ESK’s Middle School building. In addition to the more traditional library materials, the library serves as a learning hub for middle school students and faculty. The library is home to the new FLEX Design Lab, a collaborative learning space where students may design, create and produce many types of media.
The Clayton Family Library, newly expanded and renovated in the Brewington Lower School, houses more than 14,000 books, periodicals and audio-visual materials for student and faculty use.
Both library programs provide instruction to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing, and using information and ideas.
Philosophy and Policies
It is our belief that literature is an essential part of a child’s development both as a reader, a student, an individual and as a citizen of the world. Because of literature’s essential role, we also believe that children deserve to have access to the very highest quality literature and library materials. Materials acquired for the library collections are selected based on their relevance to the curriculum as well as their adherence to criteria for excellence. The lower school library program focuses primarily on stimulating interest in reading and on developing well-rounded readers who are comfortable with a wide variety of genres, formats, authors and illustrators. Students are instructed and encouraged to understand themselves as readers and to use the library to pursue their personal reading interests as well as their academic information needs.
Parents are encouraged and invited to use each library to support their students’ development. Materials may be checked out for 7 days and renewed as needed if there are no other students waiting for the materials. Many families enjoy borrowing audio books for long car trips or simply for the daily commute.
In 1911 Anne Carrol Moore, founded the New York Public Library Children’s Room, and declared the mission of all children’s librarians to find “The right book for the right child at the right time.” Knowing the child is every bit as important as knowing the body of literature available for children. Parents are the primary expert on their child and his or her interests and past experiences. We encourage parents to share this information with the librarians and teachers to help them better support the child’s reading selections. The library offers a collection of professional and parenting books related to reading, reading instruction and book selection that parents are encouraged to borrow.
Birthday Book Program
Another unique program to the ESK library is the birthday book program. Say “Happy Birthday” to your child by adding a book to the school library in his or honor. Your child will get to be the first person to borrow the library book, and the book should be returned after 2 weeks. The cost is only $25 per book. You may participate in this program by filling out this form. A confirmation of your submission will be sent to your email address, and your ESK account will be billed during the month that your child is presented with their book. The librarian, Miranda Clark, will choose a book specifically for your child and present it to them at end of the Friday chapel service closest to the time of their birthday or half-birthday. Parents are welcome to attend these short presentations. (Occasionally the presentation date will need to be adjusted due to holidays or special chapel services, in which case, Miranda will be in touch with the new date.)
Mrs. Clark will text or email a picture of your child with their book and post their picture on the Birthday Book Bulletin Board outside the Lower School Library. The bookplate will be placed in the front of the book, and library patrons will enjoy the special book for many years to come. Your gift makes your child’s birthday an opportunity to model giving, reinforces the literary life of our community and helps grow the school’s library collection. Thank you for this contribution to our school. Please feel free to contact Miranda Clark with any questions: [email protected]