The Meckler Library at the Pennington School aims to develop students' critical thinking and problem solving skills through active engagement with information. The library supports learning and research with professional librarians, collaborates with faculty on engaging lessons, and teaches students to approach information ethically and critically. Resources include a physical library, electronic databases, and three full-time teacher-librarians who provide various levels of research assistance from reserving space to collaborative lesson planning.

1. MECKLER LIBRARY
Laura Doughty
Tamara Alito
Justin Langlois

2. THE MISSION OF THE MECKLER LIBRARY AT THE PENNINGTON
SCHOOL IS TO DEVELOP STUDENTS WHO ARE PROBLEM SOLVERS AND
CRITICAL THINKERS THROUGH THEIR ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH
INFORMATION; WHO POSSESS THE SKILLS NEEDED TO REFLECT UPON,
SYNTHESIZE, AND INCORPORATE INFORMATION; AND WHO ENJOY
READING FOR BOTH KNOWLEDGE AND PLEASURE.
To this end, the Meckler Library:
• supports learning, researching, and reading in an
environment guided by professional librarians;
• collaborates with the faculty and staff to create learning
opportunities that are authentic and engaging while
satisfying curricular goals;
• teaches students to be inquisitive, ethical, and approach
information critically;
• selects appropriate resources to meet the diverse academic
and recreation needs of TPS community.

3. MECKLER LIBRARY RESOURCES
 Physical Library Space
 28 Computers
 12 study tables (total of 48 seats)
 12 seat reading area
 E-classroom
 Print Book Collection
 Periodicals
 Meckler Electronic Library
 Subscription databases & more
 Destiny
 Online Public Access Catalog
 THREE full-time teacher-librarians

4. WHAT DOES A TEACHER-LIBRARIAN AT
THE PENNINGTON SCHOOL DO?
 Promotes reading through:
 Book Talks
 Book Clubs
 Readers Advisory
 Develops the library’s print and electronic
collection to support the curriculum in all subject
areas
 Acts as a link to other libraries
 Provides basic on-the-fly technology assistance

5. WHAT DOES A TEACHER-LIBRARIAN AT
THE PENNINGTON SCHOOL DO?
Assists in the research process by teaching the following
classes:
 Noodle Tools Skills
 MEL introduction and basic database tours
 Library Orientation (tour and basic MEL – 6th& 9th grades)
 Database searching
 Plagiarism
 Website evaluation
 Note taking skills
 Primary vs. Secondary sources
 Researching strategies (building search strings, narrowing
research topics, choosing appropriate sources)

6. LEVELS OF RESEARCH SERVICES
1
2
3
4

7. RESEARCH SERVICES
LEVEL ONE
 Reserve space in the library for teacher to bring class
in, no interaction by librarian needed.
 This requires about 2 days notice, longer for busier
times of the year.
 Up to 14 computers and 4 tables can be reserved all
periods expect 4th and 5th.

8. RESEARCH SERVICES
LEVEL TWO
 Reserve space in the library for teacher to bring
class in, librarian is available to assist with
research needs ad hoc.
 This requires about 2 days notice, longer for
busier times of the year.
 Up to 14 computers and 4 tables can be reserved
all periods except 4th and 5th.
 A librarian can also assist in the e-classroom if
teacher prefers to book in there (any period).

9. RESEARCH SERVICES
LEVEL THREE
 Reserve space in the library for teacher to bring class in,
librarian is available to assist with research and/or provide
instruction on MEL use.
 Teacher provides research topic ahead of time and librarian
will pull books, make a LibGuide to appropriate resources
and websites.
 This requires about 1 weeks notice, longer for busier times
of the year.
 Up to 14 computers and 4 tables can be reserved all periods
except 4th and 5th.
 A librarian can also assist in the e-classroom if teacher
prefers to reserve that space (any period).
 If librarian led instruction on using and finding resources
is requested, the e-classroom is a more appropriate venue
and can be reserved by teacher or librarian.

10. RESEARCH SERVICES
LEVEL FOUR
 Collaborative lesson planning – teacher and
librarian meet and work together to formulate
research questions, build assignments, and co-
teach where appropriate.
 Librarian can integrate the research steps into
content material that the teacher will
disseminate.
 This requires several weeks notice in order to
formulate lessons.

11. REQUEST A LIBRARY VISIT
Request a Library Visit

12. THANK YOU!
Laura, Tamara & Justin