The Dorothy I. Johnson Memorial Library of Southfield School is a centralized library media center serving the entire Southfield community. The purpose of the library is to develop and make readily accessible a collection of resource materials in support of the curriculum and consistent with the philosophy and mission of Southfield School. To achieve this purpose, the school librarian develops, maintains, and circulates a comprehensive collection of support materials in varied formats. She also promotes the development of reading skills, encourages lifetime reading habits, instructs students in the use of various library research materials, and provides opportunities conducive to intellectual growth and to the development of critical analysis skills.

To provide each student with the finest possible opportunities in the area of reading, the library houses a collection of quality literature including recognized classics and award books. To encourage the students to utilize these resources, an active independent reading program is promoted in addition to the support given to teachers who assign readings. A required summer reading program for grades three through eight, and suggested readings for students entering first and second grades, ensures that reading skills will be practiced during the vacation period. This program further encourages lifetime reading habits.

Active participation by students in the educational process is promoted through the reading program and library curriculum. Criticalanalysis skills are practiced through library lessons that give students practical experience in utilizing the online card catalog (OPAC), circulation system, Dewey Decimal Classification System (DDC), and various standard print and online reference resources.

The library celebrates reading and literature by sponsoring two book fairs each year. The Fall Book Fair is held in conjunction with Grandparents’ Day. A reading theme is chosen and authors are engaged to speak on reading and literature. Students contribute artwork as decorations. This book fair is a longstanding Southfield tradition, beginning in the early days of the school. The organizing parents in the 1930s developed the book fair project to provide a venue for quality children’s books to the entire Shreveport community. The second book fair is a smaller event, held in the Library, and focuses on the books for summer reading. The Birthday Book Club, sponsored by the library, is a project to encourage students to donate books to the library for the good of the school community. A Breakfast Bash is held in May each year to highlight the many contributions and to thank the students and their families who have contributed books to the library.

To establish the habit of daily reading, instill a love of literature, and practice emerging reading skills, students may come daily to the library to check out books for school and home reading. To allow the best access without taking too much time from the first grade classes, students come to the library individually from 7:45 until 8:10 a.m. The librarian aids students as time allows finding books appropriate to the students’ reading ability and interests.

Library procedures and rules are reviewed at the beginning of the school year and monitored throughout the year. Seasonal films, videotapes, and library programs are offered to class groups for use either in the library or as presented by teachers in the classrooms. First grade students have weekly 30 minute story times in the library. Although similar to story times in preschool, in first grade more time is spent discussing the book’s plot and theme.

The first grade book collection is carefully selected from an array of titles intended to foster the sequential building of reading skills. These books are labeled with red tape on the spines or on the barcode label, and are housed on one bookshelf at an appropriate height for young students. Students are limited to selecting books from this area until the teacher indicates a higher skill level has been attained. In January, the teacher introduces the independent reading program, Accelerated Reader. Tests used with this program are taken during regularly scheduled library visits or before/after school, and the teacher monitors student progress.

Students in first grade are required to read 30 books outside of school on an appropriate reading level between January and May. Books read are verified by slips signed by the parents and compiled by the librarian. Both the librarian and the teacher give students encouragement during this program. The librarian recognizes each student with an award upon reaching the 30 book goal.

Second grade students have weekly 30-minute library lessons. Ten minutes is spent on book selections with individual assistance given by the librarian as allowed by time constraints. Twenty minutes is devoted to library lessons and programs. Students may come to the library as often as needed to select books. Book selection is from a wide array of fiction and nonfiction works from second grade reading levels and above.

Students in third grade have weekly 30-minute library visits as a class. Ten minutes is used for checking books out. The entire circulating library collection is available to students beginning at this grade level; however, book selection is monitored by the library and the teacher for the benefit of the student. Upon request by the student, teacher, or parent, suggestions are made regarding appropriate content and reading level. Twenty minutes of class time is spent on library programs and lessons. Programs can include videotapes, book talks, and librarian directed book searches coordinated with the units of study in the classroom.