Academics: Library

The purpose of the Clagett McLennan Library is to provide materials and instruction that meet the curricular and recreational reading needs of the Bement School community. The library personnel and collection will encourage the development of an academically and culturally aware student body in accordance with the mission of the school to provide “an education based on time-honored school traditions and values for children in kindergarten through ninth grade.”

In accomplishing this purpose, the Clagett McLennan Library
▪ Acquires and provides resources to support the curriculum, enhance personal development and encourage reading and learning.
▪ Teaches skills for gathering, using, and evaluating information.
▪ Supports the professional development of faculty and staff.

"Near the close of my last period eighth grade class, I felt an immense gratitude for our library--I am so thankful to you and to everyone who helped create it. Some of my best teaching comes about in that space as the students and I spread out and move freely between the intimacy of one-to-one discussion and the larger gatherings necessary to conveying information to a group. I love the ease with which I can give full attention to a student, to really talk about his or her writing, all the while taking pride in the others who are working as they sit comfortably at tables or on couches or at computers. What a delight!"

Amie Keddy, Upper School English and Fine Arts

Library staff:

Rich Winnick, the school’s first full-time librarian, has been at Bement since 2005. He is certified as a librarian with the Massachusetts Department of Education. In collaboration with Bement faculty, Rich acquires new materials, teaches research skills, and helps library users find information or leisure reading materials.

Xiaomo Hong, the library assistant, came to Bement in 2007 to teach Chinese and work as a dorm parent. In her role as library assistant, she supports the day-to-day operation of the library, such as checking books in and out, processing new acquisitions, and helping students find library materials.

Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Library collection:
Books: approx. 6000
Non-print materials: 200
Magazines subscriptions: 24
Circulation (’10-’11): 3300
Research databases:
http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/mlin_w_bement

For Parents: Because Bement is a K-9 school, parents should monitor the materials their child has checked out, both in terms of the material’s suitability for their child’s age and the date items are due to be returned. Library staff send notices to students who have overdue materials and may contact parents with a reminder. If a student loses an item, or if an item is more than 30 days overdue, the student’s account will be billed so that the item can be replaced for others to use and enjoy. It’s always a good idea for students to check with library staff if they think a book may have been lost.

The library always welcomes parents who can volunteer some of their time in the library. Depending on the amount of time you’re able to give, parent volunteers can learn the library’s circulation system, shelving procedures, or how to process new materials. There’s always a lot to do for volunteers.

Library History
In the spring of 2005 a corps of parent volunteers helped Rich Winnick consolidate the upper and lower school libraries that had been housed in separate buildings. Every single book had to be listed in order to send for computerized records for the new online catalog. Volunteers barcoded and labeled over 3000 books, then shelved them according to their appropriate location in the library. With the completed renovation of the Polk Building, the Clagett McLennan Library was dedicated in May of 2005 and opened to students and teachers in October of the next school year.
The library side of the Polk Building also includes the Flynt Computer Lab and Haas Media Room as well as the Grace Bement Reading Room. Students, either individually or with classes, frequently use these facilities for word-processing and special projects or activities.