Schools

B-BP Looking to Shore Up Library Programs, Enhance Technology

District is evaluating what's needed to boost library programs.

Bayport-Blue Point school district leaders are examining how to enhance library programs and are hinting about expanding staff and boosting computer technology at the district’s five libraries.  

Following a presentation by librarians on student library use Tuesday night, School Superintendent Dr. Vincent Butera said the district is examining the overall library program as part of a strategy to enhance academic and curriculum efforts.  

“All our programs are good but they can be made stronger,” Butera told the audience at the board of education meeting Tuesday night.  

Currently the district has four full-time librarians: Rosemary Pearce at the high school, Anne Salvador who works at the libraries at Academy Street and Sylvan Avenue elementary schools, Susan Henke-Brinkman who serves as a librarian at Sylvan as well as Blue Point Elementary and Kelly Noeldechen who is the middle school librarian.  

All four presented insight on how students are using libraries and how resources are being integrated into classroom study, research efforts and learning.

“We feel that we can enhance every program at every grade level,” said Pearce.  

Butera indicated those enhancements may include boosting staff resources, such as a dedicated full-time librarian at each elementary school, and also upgrading computing technology at the middle school.

It may also mean boosting library-driven student projects and classroom integration.  

Currently students conduct library projects during a few grade class years but that may change as librarians and Butera noted that projects in additional grades could bolster a student’s overall reading, learning and research skills.  

“Our focus is on how to build on the programs and we’ll be making recommendations in short order to the board,” said Butera, who noted a meeting is scheduled next month to review needed technology enhancements. “We want to see if the tools we have in place are up to par.”


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