Text Box: Taunton Forge Media Center

Text Box: Taunton Forge Elementary School Medford, New Jersey

Text Box: A cozy reading spot for the younger set.

Text Box: Frequent Questions

Text Box:     Frequently Asked Questions   How many books can students check out from the library? K- one picture book 1- two books 2- two books or one book and one magazine 3-4-5- three books or two books and one magazine   Students may return books and choose new books as often as desired throughout the week. Drop-in visitors are always welcome! However, they cannot exceed their book limit unless special arrangements have been made with the librarian (classroom projects, research, book reports, etc).   What happens if a student has an overdue book? Students with overdue books cannot check out a new book until all overdue books are returned. However, students can put a book on hold for one day. Students may stop by the library any time the following day, return the overdue book and check out the book on hold. Unclaimed books on hold will be returned to the shelves at the end of the day.   What happens if a student loses a book? · The first week we will encourage a student to look for the book at home and at school. The student can put a book on hold but will not be checking out a new book. · The student can come to the library any time the following day to return the old book and pick up the new book on hold. · However, if it is the second week and the book is still lost, we will note on the computer and library card that the student has lost the book. The student can now take out a new book. · Students will be billed for lost books in January and June. (We try to give everyone plenty of time to find lost books.) · Students who have not returned or paid for lost books by June will have their final report cards held in the front office until the books are paid for or returned.   Note: If a student has lost two books, the librarian, the classroom teacher, and the parents will discuss how to solve the problem (have the student keep library books in school, keep books in a special place at home, etc.).   What happens if a student and his/her parents knows a book is lost, damaged, or destroyed? · Parents should call or write Mrs. Simpkins to tell her about the book. Phone numbers: 609-654-6723, extensions: 5441, 5903,or 5304 · We will look up the cost of replacing the book and tell parents the amount. Parents can send in a check or cash. Make checks out to: Taunton Forge Media Center.   My child said he/she returned a book, but still got a notice saying it was overdue. What should I do? · Call or write Mrs. Simpkins and tell her about the book. · We will make every effort to locate the book (check the library shelves, have the teacher check the classroom, check lost and found, check to see if another student accidentally took the book home, etc.). Misplaced books are usually found within a few days. · If the book is still missing, we will mark it as lost and wait until to see if it is found. If the book is not returned by the end of the year, the student and his/her parents will be responsible for paying for the book.   We use a fixed-flexible system at Taunton Forge. What does that mean? · With the fixed-flexible system every teacher and his/her students have a scheduled half-hour book exchange time each week (K & 1st grades also have a story time during their half hour). This half-hour time slot is flexible and teachers may move to another time slot as often as needed. · In addition, teachers can sign up for as much extra library time  and lesson time as desired (for  whole class instruction, small groups instruction,  individual students research, Internet research, or to use the library for special events such as poetry recitals, plays, ). Plus, the library is open to all students and teachers at almost any time during the day (for book exchange, research, reading time, etc.). Even if a class is in the library, students and teachers are welcome to stop by to return and check out books.   Can parents, grandparents, or other family members volunteer in the library? We LOVE our library volunteers! The Taunton Forge Media Center is a warm and wonderful place because we have so many caring volunteers. We have two volunteer time slots available for each day of the week: Morning: 9:00am until 12:00am Afternoon: 12:00pm until 2:30pm. Parents interested in volunteering can call, email, or send a note to Kathy Lee or Maureen at the numbers and addresses below.   What do volunteers do in the library? The most important job is for volunteers to help the children find books. In addition, we need volunteers to check out books, check in books, put books back on the shelves, straighten the shelves and centers, help put up holiday displays, cover and tape new books, and help with special projects.   What if I have additional questions for the librarian? Call 609-654-6723, Kathy Lee (ex. 5441) or Maureen (ex. 5305). Our direct line: 609-975-6084 Or, email us at ksimpkins@medford.k12.nj.us  or mpalasciano@medford.k12.nj.us

Text Box: To contact us:

Text Box: The Library & Second Grade’s Monarch Butterfly Project

Text Box: A hungry Monarch caterpillar.

Text Box: A Monarch just out of its chrysalis.

Text Box: Tagged and ready to fly!

Text Box: A chrysalis with a developing butterfly.