Welcome to the York Country    

Day School Library Program

The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over

the man who can't read them.” (Mark Twain)

  Informational literacy, knowing and understanding how to access needed information through a number of methods, is extremely important for the academically successful student we here at YCDS endeavor to produce.  The process of extracting needed information is central in all places and in all academic environments whether here or at any other educational institution, as well as at work, for one's health, in the home, and even within recreational environments.

 Above and beyond helping students choose appropriate books to inspire appreciation of fine literature and independent use of the library here or anywhere, the library curriculum includes activities, lessons and projects that support the acquisition of the following skills (at the students' own grade or age appropriate level):

   Show respect for the materials, the facility, the librarian, and other school patrons

   Maintain an appropriate attention span

   Follow directions and participate in activities when requested to demonstrate mastery of library skills

   Use appropriate listening skills

   Be able to recall and compare events from readings to events experienced

   Demonstrate appropriate verbal and non-verbal communications behavior

   Locate and properly use dictionaries, almanacs, atlases, encyclopedias, etc.

   Properly and efficiently utilize internet search sources such as

          “PA Power Library” and “ACCESS PA”

   Identify and distinguish various types of literature (e.g. fiction, biography, fantasy, tall tales, folk tales, etc.) in different formats

   Be conscious of plagiarism and abide by copyright laws

   Understand and use labels for parts of a book (e.g. title page, index, spine, dust cover, call number, etc.)

   Care properly for borrowed materials, and follow regulations and requests such as “For reference only”

   Be able to locate and use different areas of the library for study, recreational reading, or research for an assignment

   Understand alphabetical order and call number order

   Recognize works of a variety of authors and illustrators

   Possess a working knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System

   Know that library materials include audio and visual tapes and discs, computer software, charts, maps, all types of printed materials, archive materials and vertical file materials

   Be able to access and locate information desired by using card catalog or electronic catalog

 Exhibit the ability to evaluate, critique, debate, assess, recommend, rate, editorialize or revise material that has been read, if invited to do so.

  Share literary selections and be able to sequence events, retell story lines, or discuss literary characters and genre, setting, tone, etc.

    Draw conclusions from open ended stories and analyze character motivations, settings, voice, etc.

   Recognize the significance of winning an award such as a Caldecott, Newberry, Orbis Pictus, Coretta Scott King, etc.

   Show an appreciation of and identify differences in cultures and value systems from around the world

   Recognize the main idea in stories that are read, listened to or viewed

   Work competently and responsibly as an individual, in a small group or in a large group while selecting and using the most appropriate sources of information

   Be able to compare, contrast and synthesize information on a given topic using efficient note taking skills, information seeking skills and presenting information in alternative formats while giving appropriate credit for information used

   Develop an awareness of quality for sources used from the internet or in print and document information through use of bibliographies and footnotes while recognizing and evaluating media and other materials for bias, propaganda, etc.

   Show an appreciation for the classics in literature and on film, as well as the value of unconventional sources of information

~Go to the Library Curriculum page for grades PK-6~ 

All in all, every effort is made to encourage all students of all ages to take ownership in the library, and to enjoy all aspects of library time.  From the Pre-K classes on up to the Upper School students, their library experience should be pleasing and satisfying. 

As Longfellow has said, "The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, And all the sweet serenity of books."

(Check out the Literary Glossary)

“I must say that I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on,

I go to the library and read a book.” (Groucho Marx)

"After three days without reading, talk becomes flavorless." (Chinese Proverb)   


 

 "You are the same today that you are going to be in five years from now except for two things:

the people with whom you associate and the books you read." (Charles Jones)