Media Center

These lessons are supplemented by a number of hands on activities based on stories presented through the year ranging from using puppets, flannel board and Velcro props, audio-visual aids such as videos, sound filmstrips, books with cassettes, overhead transparencies, educational games, computer software, research websites, etc. The following is a general breakdown of the curriculum covered by the Media Specialist in lessons throughout the year.

Welcome to the Brooke Media Center!

My name is Mary DeAngelis, and this is my fifth year as a Library Media Specialist at Brooke Elementary School. My degrees and professional certifications are:

• B.A., Anthropology and Environmental Studies,
• University of Pennsylvania, 1986
• M.S., Library and Information Science, Drexel University, 1996
• PA Teacher Certification, Environmental Education, Grades K-12
• PA Teacher Certification, Library Media Specialist, Grades K-12

My prior teaching experience and awards include:

• Spring-Ford Environmental Education Teacher, 2004-2011
• Perkiomen Watershed Teaching Excellence Award, 2008
• Voices of Inspiration Award, Spring-Ford School District 2010
• Beta Pi Mu - Library and Information Studies Honor Society, inducted 1996
• Cornell Lab Of Ornithology, BirdSleuth Teacher Ambassador 2013-2014

I look forward to sharing my love of books and nature with my students this year!

The Brooke Media Center supports all students and faculty to meet their literacy and informational needs. The Media Center purchases books and audio-visual materials on a yearly basis to supplement the school's curriculum and for enrichment. All classes visit the Media Center once per 6-day cycle for instruction and book selection and are permitted to check out books at that time.

Book Exchange
Kindergarten and First Grade students are allowed to check out one book every six-day cycle, while Second through Fourth Grades are permitted to check out two books for a six-day cycle. The books must then be returned or renewed. Brooke students are strongly encouraged to return their books on time. A weekly tally is kept for all of the classes and a special award is presented at the end of the school year to the class with the best record of returning all their books on time. The Media Center does not charge a fine for overdue books. However, if a book is overdue more than one month, students will not be permitted to check out additional books. If a book is lost or damaged, the student must reimburse the Media Center for the cost of the book. If the book is found after reimbursement, the cost will be refunded.

Acquisition

The Brooke Media Center houses approximately 17,500 books, eBooks, DVDs, and videotapes. The Media Center is also home to several online encyclopedias and reference tools that are available to students and teachers for current research. Some of these reference tools are the Access Pennsylvania Power Library, which is a database of thousands of educational resources such as reference, magazines, pictures, newspapers, encyclopedias, almanacs, maps and more; and World Book enyclopedias with current, readable and outstanding graphics. Students may use The World Book Online Encyclopedia is on their home computers using a login and password available in the Media Center.