Library
B.F. Day Library
The purpose of the B.F. Day library program is to cultivate a love of reading and learning; whether for pleasure or knowledge, and to provide our students with the skills and strategies needed to become self-reliant and critical users of information.
Library News
Good to Know
- Following state health and safety guidelines, there is no longer a quarantine period for library books or other items, as they are considered very low risk. Students are still encouraged to wash hands before and after using books and other item in classrooms and libraries.
- No students are allowed in the library at this time, unless accompanied by authorized adult or SPS staff.
How to Place a Book on Hold
Video and PDF instructions for placing a book hold
Chinese, Spanish, Somali and Vietnamese translations recently added (remember to bookmark this link)
Library Link
You already have your own account!
Enjoy free access to carefully curated collections of e-books, animated picture books and non-fiction, as well as movies, graphic novels, research databases and much more.
Library Link is a partnership between The Seattle Public Library and Seattle Public Schools . It gives all K -12 students, teachers and staff access to SPL’s vast collection of online resources and books using their SPS student or teacher ID numbers — all SPS students and staff already have accounts created for them., You don’t need a SPL library card/account.
Learn all about the wonders of Library Link
Lost or Damaged Materials
*All due dates have been extended. Enjoy your books!
In the event that a library item has been lost or damaged beyond reasonable use, we ask that families PAY for the book or REPLACE it with a new or gently used copy. Most titles can be found at your favorite local bookstore or online vendor (e.g. Amazon.com).
We do our best to check the library shelves and talk with the student prior to sending out a notice. Your support in helping your child return their library books so that others may enjoy them next year is essential and most appreciated.
Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. As I tell my students, “working as a team we can solve the problem.”
Ken Hammer: kahammer@seattleschools.org
Library Highlights
In the library this week, we will begin a focus on Black History, highlighting African American authors.
We will be using some of the following resources, which are highly recommended for families to share at home:
Learn more about the 2022 Global Reading Challenge
E-books, audiobooks and print copies available at your local Seattle Public Library branch.
What is it?
The Global Reading Challenge is a reading incentive program for 4th and 5th graders enrolled in Seattle Public Schools. Students form teams and read 10 books, then take part in a trivia competition to determine the winner for the city of Seattle.
Global Reading Challenge goals:
- To ensure the participation of children with higher and lower reading scores throughout the city.
- To foster teamwork and cooperative thinking.
- To build strong relationships between The Seattle Public Library and Seattle Public Schools.
- To share quality children’s literature with the participants that represents a diversity of experiences at a variety of reading levels.
- To promote the love of reading and have fun!
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
A gargantuan “THANK YOU!” to all who helped make our BF Day Winter Holiday Book Fair a success!
Here’s how we did, by the numbers:
- $5,910 in total book sales (incl. tax)
- $1,191 in cash profit ($ we get to use to purchase new library books!)
- $301 in Scholastic Dollars earned (good for purchasing books from Scholastic)
- 21 amazing and talented volunteers
- Countless smiles on the faces of BF Day readers
For the second year at BF Day, we’re combining three awards categories, the Sasquatch, Towner and OTTER awards, into one hybrid reading challenge for all 3rd – 5th grade students. (Links & descriptions of the three awards are below)
Students are invited to read eight or more books from any of the nominee lists — many students have already read quite a few!
*4-5th graders must read at least two titles from the Sasquatch list.
There will be Sasquottowner Reading Challenge forms available for students to track and review books they’ve read.
Students will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite Sasquatch/OTTER books. We will wrap up the challenge with a celebration and ice cream party for all qualifying participants in June.
Otter Awards
Otter Awards (Our Time To Enjoy Reading) is a newer awards program aimed at middle-readers. Students have been introduced to the titles in the library and have been encouraged to read them, along w/this year’s Sasquatch Award titles. Visit the Washington Library Association website for more info.
Sasquatch Award
The Sasquatch Award, Sponsored by the Washington Library Media Association, is given to a chapter book, sometimes non-fiction or graphic novel, written for grades 4 through 6. At BF Day, students in grades 4 & 5 are introduced to the twelve nominees in the fall, encouraged to read them and then vote for their favorites in the spring. The Seattle Public Library supports this program as well. For more info, visit WLA’s site.
Towner Award
The Towner Award is named after Bill Towner, longtime Seattle librarian and mentor to dozens of librarians. Bill was an outstanding teacher-librarian who worked with thousands of students from all backgrounds and taught all of them his love of literature.
Nominees for this award are non-fiction titles selected by librarians across Washington state and are aimed at students in grades 2-6. Visit the Washington Library Association for more details.
Happy Reading!
Ken Hammer
Teacher-Librarian
206-252-6036
B.F. Day Library on Instagram
Check out our Library Instagram page!
Our library Instagram page B.F. Day library has reviews from our amazing and voracious readers. Does your kindergartner have a book they enjoyed? Is your 5th grader deeply invested in a new series? We want to hear about it! Whether it’s a single sentence about why your kiddo recommends the book, or a full starred-review, this is a great way to share our love of reading with our fellow students. Send kid reviews to jo.fuller@gmail.com.
Happy reading!
Parent Library Accounts
Yes, parents and guardians can create their own library accounts!
Creating your own library account is a great way to support your child’s appetite for great books. Just stop by the library when Mr. Hammer is in to create yours.
*SPS school libraries do not charge late fees for overdue books.