In the coming weeks, some parents may receive a request from students for a “few extra dollars.” The reason — the school book fair.

The book fair is a great time for your children to take part in the excitement of buying new books in the school library. The book fair also offers pencils, posters and much more and is the perfect addition to National Library Week.

This week, the Public Schools of Robeson County joins libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating the dynamic changes that are happening in today’s libraries. Today to Saturday is National Library Week, a time to highlight the changing role of libraries, librarians and library workers.

Libraries today are not just a place of quiet study, but also creative and engaging community centers where people can collaborate using new technologies, learn how to use a 3D printer, fill out an application or just relax.

Our libraries across the school district offer our students access to a variety of print and digital resources, including Accelerated Reader, IXL for math, Schoolnet, Destiny e-books, Study Island, online databases and so much more. Students may access materials online as well as in the library.

National Library Week also spotlights the ever-changing role of media coordinators. The coordinators invite project-based learning through collaboration among the students by using Google Products through documents, slides and sheets. Coordinators are also facilitators of the One-to-One computer initiative.

Pembroke Middle School will celebrate National Library Week by offering students and staff an opportunity to share their favorite book via digital recordings. Participants will take a selfie or record their recommendations in front of a green screen. The best recordings will be broadcast during the morning announcements. These activities will emphasize this year’s theme, “Libraries Transform.”

St. Pauls Elementary students will participate in Buddy Reading for the week. This allows older and younger students to read together. The students will also have a chance to code through the use of Code.org and other iPad apps that encourage coding at the elementary level.

Peterson Elementary School kicks off a month of celebrating with a book scavenger hunt. Students will also play a Dewey Popsicle stick game where they receive a Popsicle stick with a Dewey number on it. Students will then find the library location for that Dewey number. Each class will create a Wordle using words that describe the school library. The Wordle’s will be displayed in the media center.

Orrum Middle School will celebrate with a book fair, a literacy night and two visiting authors. Edward Reed, author of “Badge” and Keryn Munson, young adult author of the new trilogy book, “Air Dragon’s Secret,” will share with the students.

Lumberton Senior High School will celebrate the week with free books for staff and students and trivia facts each day on campus.

Libraries are many things to many people. They work with elected officials, small business owners, students and the public at large to discover and address the needs of their communities. Whether through offering e-books and technology classes, materials for English language learners, programs for job seekers or offering a safe haven in times of crisis, libraries and librarians listen to the community they serve, and they respond.

I hope you take the time during April and anytime to visit a library and enjoy a good book.

Tommy Lowry
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Lowry_CMYK.jpgTommy Lowry

Tommy Lowry

Tommy Lowry is the superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County.