Welcome to the Shalom School Library
The Shalom School Library provides a setting where students develop the skills they will need as adults to locate, analyze, interpret, and communicate information and ideas in an information rich world. The library will provide a rich Hebrew and Judaic literature inventory to support each child's Jewish exploration.
Who can use the Library's Collection?
The library collection has been developed to serve all those who are part of the Jewish and non-Jewish communities as well as the students and staff on campus. The library is a centerpiece of the Shalom School and is located at 2320 Sierra Boulevard. After entering the doors surrounded by a Jerusalem Stone wall, we are conveniently located right across from the school's main office. Parents and friends are always welcome to read or do research. For those that wish to use the library resources, but have no ties to Shalom School students or staff, they are welcome to browse the collection but are not allowed to check out any library materials.
What is in the Collection?
The library collection includes reference, non-fiction, fiction, Hebrew, biographical, autobiographical, easy reader, and over-sized books. There are also videos and audio cassettes that can be checked out. For teachers, there is a Teacher's Reference section devoted primarily for their use. Lee Bawer Small, an early childhood educator and preschool teacher at Shalom School for over 25 years, also has a section of the Shalom School library dedicated to her. Help is needed from volunteers in cataloging, processing, and organizing this vast collection to become a part of the Shalom School library.
How can you help out?
Volunteer
- Volunteers are greatly needed for almost all phases of the library so always feel free to contact the librarian, the parent participation representative, and the office staff. Past volunteers have enabled the library to thrive. Library volunteers can accumulate hours toward the required volunteer parent participation program through the Shalom School. You can volunteer in a number of ways: Shelve and straighten library materials on shelves, put labels on library materials, repair library materials, assist with book displays, cataloging books.
Donate
- Another way to help out is to make a financial donation to the Shalom School Library. Donations must be prearranged with the librarian and the executive director. Library materials may not be dropped off at the library without the librarian being present. If you are donating library material, a special dedication label with be placed in each item.
- The Shalom School Birthday Book Club was started so that students have the opportuntiy to buy a book for the library in honor of their birthday. If the student buys a book during the school year for the library, their photo will be taken and will be put on a Birthday Book Club poster. Students during the school year will receive a Birthday Book Club bookmark recognizing their birthday and when a book is purchased for the library the student's family will receive a letter of appreciation. If a student has their birthday in the summer months when school is not in session, special arrangements can be made with the librarian prior to when school gets out to have them receive a Birthday Book Club bookmark during the summer or to purchase a book for the library.
Accreditation
In May of 2009, the library at Shalom School completed and met the basic standards for the Association of Jewish Libraries accreditation.
Library Activities
Please watch for upcoming book clubs, homework clubs, library classes, and dates for Jewish and Scholastic book fairs. If you have any questions about any of the above library activities, please contact Ben Pastcan, Shalom School librarian at 916-485-4151 or email him at bpastcan@shalomschool.org for more information.
