MISSION STATEMENT- Our mission is to encourage children to love to read and to educate them in the use of the library and its contents so that they know how to select, retrieve, and evaluate information.

BRIEF HISTORY - Today's library was opened in 1997.  The previous building (which had at one time been a cafeteria) was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992.  Of the 10,000 books which we had when the hurricane struck, we were able to save 7,000, and the library operated for the next five years out of what is today the music portable.

COLLECTION- After Hurricane Iniki we requested and were awarded a $25,000 Humanities grant from the Federal government which was used to build up our collection.  We currently have about 14,000 items.  Funding comes from the school budget and is supplemented with proceeds from our Fall Book Fair.  In addition, we have received generous book donations from Kalaheo School families as their children outgrow their books. 

STAFFING -  The library is staffed by Margaret Padilla who has been the librarian at Kalaheo School since 1987.  Her qualifications include a B.A. in English Literature, an elementary school teaching credential and a Master's in Library Studies.

COMPUTERS - We currently have nine computers available for student use.  Funding for replacements is through the Fall Book Fair.

BORROWING -  Approximately 1600 books and magazines are borrowed per month.  All our students come to the library with their classes for lessons every other week.  Grades K-2 borrow with their classes and keep their books for approximately two weeks.  Their books are either kept in the classroom or brought home at the discretion of their classroom teacher.  Grades 3-5 may come to the library every day during both recesses and after school as well as with their classes.  If a book is lost, student's borrowing stops and is resumed after the book is found or paid for.  A notice will be sent home if the book is more than one month overdue.

CURRICULUM -  Our curriculum is designed to give our students an overview of what the library has to offer them.  To this end, they are taught literature appreciation, book parts, how to find books by using the online computer catalog, different literary genre, and library skills such as how to use atlases and almanacs.

LIBRARY CLUB - With 1600 items being borrowed per month, there are a lot of books and magazines to re-shelve.  We have a group of volunteer fourth and fifth grade students who assist with the shelving during their recess.  Once/quarter we have a small appreciation party for them, and those who remain during the entire school year are recognized at our awards assembly at the end of the year.

VOLUNTEERS - Many of our parents and friends help during the Book Fair, and volunteers are greatly appreciated for day to day library clerical needs as well.


AUGUST NEWS

August is always exciting in the library with students coming in to see new books and sign up for Library Club.  The students in Library Club come in each day for one recess to put away books. (SEE write-up at bottom of page.) They have their own section of books to keep in order, and they do a wonderful job.  Next month the names of the club members will be posted here.

Our other news is that we are converting to a new circulation/cataloging software system which will make our computer catalogs very user friendly.  Stop by in the end of August to see what the new system looks like.  It's called Destiny, and it will link us to a statewide system.

Kalaheo Elementary School

Where Learning and Good Citizenship are our most important products.
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