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 information literacy skills to promote 21st century learning.

▪ Works to develop a love of reading in all students.
▪ Supports the professional development of faculty and staff.

 

Library staff:

Marcia Bernard joined the Bement staff in 2012. She is a certified Library Teacher with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In collaboration with Bement faculty, Marcia acquires new materials, teaches information literacy skills, and supports students in becoming independent library users.

 

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 performs circulation duties and supports the day-to-day operation of the library.

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

 

Library snapshot:
Books and Audiovisual materials: 8732
Magazines subscriptions: 24
PC and Mac Labs

Follett Destiny Online Catalog

The Clagett McLennan Library is a member of the Massachusetts Library System.

Library Catalog

Library Resources

 

For Parents:

As a K-9 school, the library collection contains a wide range of materials to meet the needs of all students.  While library staff does its best in guiding students to make appropriate choices, parents should monitor the materials their child has checked out in terms of suitability for their child’s age and ability.

Library staff will send monthly 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 welcomes parent volunteers. Volunteers can learn the library’s circulation system, shelving procedures, process new materials or work on special projects. 

 

Library History
In the spring of 2005 a corps of parent volunteers helped Rich Winnick, the school's first librarian, to consolidate the upper and lower school libraries that had been housed in separate buildings.  Volunteers barcoded, labeled, and shelved over 3000 books. 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.

 

The library not only serves as a resource to teachers and students during the day, but is also used for the boarder study hall in the evening.