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The Intermediate Library is open throughout the school day for students to exchange library books, research, and be instructed in library science. A separate library classroom permits multiple activities to take place simultaneously. The Library utilizes Follett Software Company's Destiny web-based products to run its six online catalogs and circulation system. All computers are available as computer catalogs or for research as all computers are Internet accessible. The library maintains a collection of approximately 18,000 volumes with new acquisitions arriving on a regular basis.
Students are encouraged to exchange books as soon as they are finished with them. Most students come for book exchange in groups of five from their classrooms and are assisted by the library aide, Mrs. Lisa Steffen. The online catalog is a popular first stop for students to locate favorite titles, authors, and subjects. Third grade children are permitted two checkouts, fourth graders may have an additional third book for class assignments, and students in fifth grade may check out one magazine in addition to their two books.
Research is an integral part of the curriculum and teachers schedule times with the librarian, Mrs. Patricia Williamson, for their classes to come to the library to complete assignments. Research assignments include biomes, famous Pennsylvanians, Native Americans, and explorers. Students often come to the Library independently to complete these assignments or to work on other independent research activities.
Library Science is flexibly scheduled with individual teachers. Classroom teachers and Mrs. Williamson try to integrate library science units with activities and assignments within the classroom so children have the opportunity to practice the library skills they have learned. Library skills for third grade students include literature appreciation by genres, composition and arrangement of all types of call numbers, and review and expansion of library vocabulary learned at the K-2 level. Fourth graders review vocabulary and skills taught at the third grade level and are introduced to the use of the computer catalog and beginning reference sources including encyclopedias, dictionaries, and atlases. Students in the fifth grade spend time mastering basic reference sources and the online catalog, and progressing to advanced reference sources, including almanacs, as well as learning how to evaluate sources located within the library catalog and the Internet.