Congratulations Julia Desalernos! Because of your dedication to the children and your support of the Los Angeles Clippers' Read To Achieve programs, you have been selected as Los Angeles Clippers' Teacher of the Year for 2008-09! Librarian: Julia Desalernos - jdesalernos@dusd.net West Library Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Monday - Friday book check out during Snack and Lunch The West Library offers our West Spartans a unique learning environment and experience that is student-centered with academic resources and support. West Spartans are invited to visit the school library anytime before school, snack, and lunch or after school to complete assignments, research, or just read a book. Each month Spartans will receive directed lessons in the West Library on library skills, databases or presentations on various authors or book genres. The West Library staff would like to extend a special thanks to all parents, staff and student volunteers who offer their time and talents in the operation of the West Library. If you are interested in volunteering in the school library contact Mr. McLaughlin or Mrs. Desalernos. West Library Book Check Out Procedure: There are two ways to check out West Library books 1. West ID Cards 2. Spartan Guides - English teachers will distribute student library bar codes to all students during library orientations in their Spartan Guides. West Spartans may check out up to two books at a time West Library books are checked out for three weeks Students are allowed to renew books There is a $25 fee for any lost, stolen or damaged book 2009-2010 West Library Events and Activities: September - Back to School Scholastic Book fair will begin Monday, September 14th thru Friday, September 25th in the West Library. All parents, students and staff are welcomed to come by before, during and after school to purchase the newest selections offered by Scholastic Books. October - Student Orientations. All students will learn how the West Library operates, how to locate and check out books. November - Author Day. This year West is proud to host a new and exciting young Science-fiction author. More information to follow. West students will be enrolled in the Los Angeles Clippers' Read to Achieve Reading Incentive Program. Our school-wide reading goal is 1,000,000 minutes! December - West Middle School Holiday Boutique will be held in the West Library. The West Library students hold this annual holiday sale to raise funds for new library books and our library community service project. January - West students will receive valuable presentations on how to access research database sites. Lessons will include free database sites offered including the Downey City Library. February - The West Library will be hosting an Open House Scholastic Bookfair. March/April - The West Library will host a Bookmark Contest. Students will be encouraged to participate in this activity that allows students to create a library counter product. May/June - A final end of the year Scholastic bookfair will be offered to allow students to choose books to read over the summer vacation. The Los Angeles Zoo will visit the West Library. This outreach program is organized to allow our Special Need Spartans the opportunity to pet and meet real live zoo animals. Library Club - All Spartans may sign up to learn how to work in the school library. Students will be trained how to run a library counter, shelve library books and how to assist library patrons. Students volunteer for before school, snack, lunch or after-school positions. West Library's "Bookit" Reading Incentive Program. - The "Bookit" Reading Program is available for all sixth grade and special program teachers. This is a great motivational program to help encourage and reward our students while they continue to improve their reading. Edgar Allan Poe Society - The West Library has a poetry club for students who enjoy writing and sharing their work. Society members meet on the 4th Friday's in the West Library at lunchtime and hold special performances at the Downey City Library. Library Community Service Project- The West Library supports our local Downey animal shelter by raising awareness of animal neglect and rescue. With the assistance of our West TV Program, our West Library students are able to promote our community fundraising efforts for our South East Animal Area Control Agency. Our SEACCA Officers visit our West Campus and bring with them healthy adoptable furry or scaly visitors. West Student Store - During morning Nutrition the West Library students operate a student store. The items offered are essential items for the continued success of our West Spartans.