SCLS • 4610 South Biltmore Lane, Suite 101 • Madison, WI 53718-2153 • 608-246-5612 • FAX 608-246-7958
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CONTACT: <NAME>, Director, <LIBRARY NAME> Public Library, <PHONE NUMBER>
Public library a valuable education partner
An African proverb states that it “takes an entire village to raise a child,” and here at the <LIBRARY NAME> we put that ideal into practice through the educational support we provide for children.
The efforts of teachers in the <SCHOOL DISRTRICT NAME> on behalf of children is noteworthy, but they can only do so much. Parents also play a vital role, as does the public library.
We are uniquely positioned to support the work of classroom teachers. In this Internet Age, the public library has the computer resources, connection capacity (bandwidth), and online and print reference materials that students need to do meaningful research and exploration. Online resources like Learning Express Library (available through BadgerLink.net) can really enhance the learning experience for young students. We also have trained librarians who can teach students how find the information they need by using the resources at their fingertips, all of which reinforces what students experience in the classroom. Public libraries also address educational needs during the summer by offering Summer Library Programs that encourage children to read during their vacations and stave off the “summer reading slump.”
Librarians are trained information professionals, and we love nothing more than sharing the excitement that comes from locating that “hard-to-find” information. We’re all about the process, and
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want to instill those same research skills in the students who come to us for assistance. Not only can we help them find the answers they need today, we teach them the tools they will need to find the answers tomorrow, and the next day.
The old days of librarians shushing people for talking are long gone. Today’s public libraries are places of vibrant discussion and curiosity, the sort of environment that is perfect for encouraging educational accomplishment and excellence.
In addition to the research tools and expertise the library provides, we also have rooms students can use to work on group projects.
In addition to these physical resources, the library provides access to an extensive collection of online resources that may be of particular interest or benefit to students. Whether a student needs to do research in a specific subject area, needs to take practice tests in a subject area, or needs to practice for the ACT or SAT, the library has resources that can increase productivity and achievement. We also have materials to help students meet goals of Wisconsin’s Common Core State Standard (CCSS), which are academic standards for curriculum, instruction and assessment.
The <LIBRARY NAME> offers programs and resources as diverse as the people who use the library, but supporting the educational endeavors of students is a primary interest. Check us out today, and see how we can help you on your educational journey.
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South Central Library System