The annual report of the New Providence Elementary School Learning Commons summarizes their activities for the 2013-2014 school year. Their vision is to ensure students are effective users of print and digital resources and to provide materials that meet curriculum and recreational needs. Highlights included author visits, book fairs, participation in reading programs, and hosting special events. The library checked out over 32,000 items and the Teacher Librarian taught 560 classes. Going forward, they hope to expand collaboration with teachers and create a Makerspace to encourage STEM learning.

1. New Providence
Elementary School
Learning Commons
Annual Report
2013 - 2014
Valerie Byrd Fort,
Teacher Librarian
Karen Gobbi,
Library Media Assistant
Brenda Burkett,
Technology Integration Specialist
Vision and MissionVision and MissionVision and MissionVision and Mission
The Vision and Mission of the New Providence Elementary School Learning Commons is to ensure that
students are effective users of ideas and information in regards to both print and digital resources. We
strive to provide materials and services appropriate to the curriculum of the school and to provide
services that meet the information and recreational needs of our learning community. We encourage
the 4 C’s – Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication. We provide opportunities for
collaboration between the Learning Commons Team and the classroom teacher to integrate information
literacy and technology into classroom instruction. Most importantly, we strive to create a community
of lifelong readers and learners.
Learning Commons Team Highlights for 2013Learning Commons Team Highlights for 2013Learning Commons Team Highlights for 2013Learning Commons Team Highlights for 2013 –––– 2014201420142014
• Author/illustrator visit by Matthew Holm
in March 2014
• Monthly newsletters to NPES school
community
• Regular updates to Twitter, Facebook,
Tumblr, and Instagram promoting events
and programs in the Learning Commons
• Two Scholastic Book Fairs – November and
May
• During both Book Fairs, we participated in
All for Books, which enabled us to
purchase books for Happy Wheels.
• Hosted student teacher, Neely Swygert in
the Spring
• Valerie Byrd Fort and Brenda Burkett
participated in Whatever It Takes meetings
• Valerie Byrd Fort was a member of the
Wonder Den and helped with events like
STEM Safari.
• NPES participated in the Global Read
Aloud project
• Mrs. Cordovano’s class skyped with author
Kate Messner
• NPES participated in the Columbia
Blowfish Baseball Reading Program
• We connected 2nd
graders to Pen Pals in
Kershaw County and Van Meter, Iowa
• Shared Informational text/CCSS
professional development with teachers
• Celebrated many special dates, such as
International Dot Day, School Library
Month, Star Wars READS Day, Digital
Learning Day, Read Across America Week,
World Read Aloud Day, and more
• Lunch Bunch with second graders
• Hosted Makerspace Moments
• Emily, a Registered Therapy Dog, read with
students once a week in the Learning
Commons
• We participated in PAWS to Read at Pets,
Inc. once a month
• Hosted Lion Cub Story Time once a month
• Valerie Byrd Fort participated in the School
Library Journal Leadership Summit in
Austin, Texas
• Mrs. Matthews and Valerie Byrd Fort
participated in the Global Cardboard
Challenge in October
• Valerie Byrd Fort was selected to be a
Maker Corps member at EdVenture for the
Summer of 2014
• K – 5th
grade students participated in the
South Carolina Book Award Program
• Hosted 5th
grade Immigration Station
• Hosted 5th
grade Harlem Renaissance Café
• Shared eBooks professional development
with teachers
• Participated in Hour of Code in November

2. NumbersNumbersNumbersNumbers
The NPES Learning Commons checked out 32,810 items this school year. We have 13,622 items in our
collection. Mrs. Byrd Fort taught 560 classes throughout the school year. This includes Professional
Development to teachers; workshops for parents; and other programs led by the Teacher Librarian.
Lessons to students included information literacy topics, such as how to create bibliographies, how to do
internet research, using print resources to find information, and using the Library Catalog to find
resources in the Learning Commons. The Technology Integration Specialist, Teacher Librarian, and
Classroom teacher often worked together to plan and teach units of study.
Reflection/What’s next?Reflection/What’s next?Reflection/What’s next?Reflection/What’s next?
We are excited about what the future holds for the New Providence Elementary School Learning
Commons. During the 2014 – 2015 school year, we hope to continue to collaborate with all teachers in
the school, including Related Arts. We have plans to create a Makerspace that will encourage problem
solving and STEM inquiry. We will celebrate special events like Dot Day, Book Fair, Star Wars READS Day,
and Digital Learning Day. Our main goal is to be an important part of the learning community at NPES!