Recognizing the joy and value of reading, Cowlishaw Project Arrow is proud to have a classroom library available to students.
Browse the Cowlishaw Project Arrow library catalog here.
The Cowlishaw Project Arrow Library currently has over 1,000 books in a variety of reading levels, topics and subject matter.
- Guardians are always encouraged to ask their learner what books they are reading and determine if it is appropriate using their judgment as guardians. It is the responsibility of families to communicate what books students are reading and discuss any concerns that arise from the selection.
- In order to make the library accessible and enjoyable to everyone, the classroom library has titles on a wide range of topics, reading levels and diverse characters, subjects and plots.
- Because content sensitivities vary greatly, the teacher cannot provide specific recommendations about if a title is appropriate for a student or not, but suggests that guardians try searching the Internet for resources that may provide more insight into the content of a specific title. Common Sense Media is a good starting point.
- If a student asks the teacher for a book to read, a title will be provided based on the student’s interests and reading abilities only. A suggestion by the teacher is not a recommendation or endorsement of the title by the teacher, however. The teacher cannot make suggestions based on content.
- If a student or family decides a book is not appropriate for the student, it should simply be returned. No student will ever be forced to read a classroom library book (this rule does not apply to books approved by the Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education as part of the official curriculum).
- Titles will not be removed from the classroom library under any circumstances for any reason. If a family or student objects to a particular title, they should not read it.
Because the classroom library is funded by both past and current student purchases from Scholastic Reading Club as well as the teacher’s personal funds, there are also some basic guidelines for borrowing classroom library materials:
- Students should check out each title they are reading, whether or not they are taking it home or not.
- Once a student is finished with a title, it should be returned to the teacher. The student should verify that the teacher checks the title back in.
- Students should treat each book with care and respect and make an effort to prevent water damage, stains or tearing. A bookmark should be used instead of folding down pages.
- If a title is lost or damaged, the student listed as having last checked it out may be responsible for replacing the title. The student may replace it by purchasing an identical copy from a local or online retailer or through Scholastic Reading Club, if available. Replacements must be replaced with a comparable copy (for example, hardcover copies must be replaced with a hardcover; a used version of a title in comparable condition to the library copy is acceptable as well).
- Students who demonstrate responsible and respectful treatment of books may be permitted to take materials home, but are still responsible for any damage or loss.
- Donations to the library are always welcome and any titles donated can include a notation with the student’s name that recognizes his or her gift to the library. In some cases, donations of duplicate titles or titles outside the reading level of students may be politely declined.
