This will be an interesting conversation to follow. I'm anxious to see everyone's ideas! I'm the librarian for Toras Emes Academy, an orthodox elementary yeshiva in North Miami Beach. Our resources are both secular and religious. Things I recommend: Listening Center (audio tapes - books and music) Maps and globes that support the lessons the children are learning Feature an author's works Feature a category of the library. Such as biographies, fiction, history Provide child-friendly subject locators. Color code books by subject or classification. I let the children draw pictures that we place on the shelves of the corresponding topic, e.g. airplanes, Torahs, etc. They sign their names to their artwork. Older children take responsibility for keeping a shelf in order. A label is put on the shelf "This shelf maintained by Sara Wolfe" To encourage the children to explore the different areas of the library, I give them research questions. They get points for their efforts and rewards at the end of the year. Everyone loves to be read to! Invite parents, grandparents, to read. Have older children read to younger ones. I think that it is important that the library feel warm and inviting. I find the use of a small bedside lamp, colorful menorahs and Tzedakah boxes brighten things up. Puzzles and other hands-on activities will engage the children. We have 3 computers with appropriate software for extending learning and for doing research. My students come to me once a week for a 45-minute period. We alternate between the library and the computer lab. Enough from me...what do others have to say? Susan Grossman
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