Welcome to the Catoctin Elementary Library! 

Library Circulation Policy

Circulation Policy
Students may check out materials from the Fiction, Non-fiction, Everybody, Biography, and Books-on-tape collection.  All materials may be checked out for a maximum of two weeks.  Students may renew materials by bringing them into the library.

Kindergarten through second grades may check out two books, third through fifth may check out three books.  Special exceptions will be made for students who require more than the allotted number of books (for projects, reports, etc.)  per checkout period. 

All students may visit the library independently to check out and return materials.  This may be done before school, after school, or during school with the permission of the classroom teacher.

School staff may check out any materials for a 30-day time period which can be renewed as necessary.  If requested, that time period will be extended based on the staff member’s needs.  Staff may borrow as many items as needed and may check out Reference materials for one day.

Parents, substitutes and school volunteers may check out up to five library materials for a two-week period after establishing a library profile in Alexandria.

Overdue Policy
Students may not check out any books if they are over their maximum items (5 items for K through 2nd, 10 items 3rd through 5th).* Exceptions will be made for those students who need to check out books for class assignments.

Students will be advised of any overdue materials each week when they visit the library.  Students will be notified of long overdue materials (books out two weeks beyond the due original due date) with an overdue notice distributed during library time.  If materials still are not returned, overdue notices will be sent home in Tuesday Folders when books are out four weeks beyond the original due date.  If materials are still not returned after an overdue notice is sent home, a call will be made to the parents or guardians.

Charges
No late fees will be charged for overdue materials.  If materials are lost or damaged beyond repair, charges will be sent to the parents or guardians of the student.  The student will be unable to check out any new materials until old materials are either returned, paid for, or otherwise reconciled.  Students are expected to treat library materials with care.

Payment for lost or damaged books is to be made with exact change or by check to Catoctin Elementary School.  If a book is found after it has been paid for but not yet ordered, a refund will be made.  However, if the book has already been ordered, money cannot be refunded.

Reference Collection
Materials in the Reference collection are not to circulate.  Special exceptions to staff members will be made and the materials will be checked out for a one day period.

* exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis – especially for those students who require books for class assignments or whose parents have contacted the librarian to explain any extenuating circumstances.

drawing of books standing next to each other

What Should I Read Next?

Are you looking for suggestions to help you continue your reading? Click on the link below to find suggestions that might help you find your next book Website

Resources for Parents

This wonderful resource lists the 100 favorite books chosen by teachers and librarians across the United States. You'll see many of your own childhood favorites on this list.  There are also print copies of this list available at the Catoctin Library. See Mr. Shannon or Mrs. Moats if you'd like one. Most of these titles are available in our library here at Catoctin. Enjoy these exciting books together!

Library Exchange Times
Our library schedule allows for students to exchange their books both during their class library time and also freely throughout the week. Students may come to the library ANYTIME it is acceptable with their classroom teacher to exchange their books. If your child forgets library materials on the regular library day, he/she can always come to the library to exchange the forgotten books for new ones by asking the teacher to allow him/her to come at a convenient class time. 

Please encourage your child to take advantage of these exchange times and to read as much as possible. Smooth and fluent reading and comprehension will pay big rewards in ALL other areas of your child's education.

MackinVia
Did you know that our library has eBooks that are accessibly through MakinVia?  There are three ways that you can access MackinVia. First, students can go to MackinVia.com and login with their username and passwords (the same ones they use at school).  Second, students can login to LCPS GO. Once inside LCPS GO, they can find MackinVia in the Library Resources folder.  We encourage finding MackinVia in LCPS GO since it holds so many other resources in the Library Folder.  Third, you can click here: MackinVia.com

Common Sense Media Materials 
Below is the  Scope & Sequence tool that outlines lessons that are going to be used in the library to promote digital citizenship. These lessons address digital literacy and citizenship topics in a safe environment.  Website

Battle of the Books 2023-2024!

Author

Title

Applegate, Katherine

The One and Only Ivan

Blume, Judy

Freckle Juice

Brown, Tricia

Bobbie the Wonder Dog: a true story

Byars, Betsy

Tornado

Catling, Patrick Skene

The Chocolate Touch

Chokshi, Roshani

Aruh Shah and the End of Time

Christopher, Matt

Ice Magic

Cleary, Beverly

Muggie Maggie

Clements, Andrew

Frindle

Cohen, Barbara

Molly’s Pilgrim

Davies, Jacqueline

The Lemonade War

DiCamillo, Kate

Because of Winn-Dixie

Fleischman, Sid

By the Great Horn Spoon!

Fleming, Candace

Boxes for Katje

Hobbs, Valerie

Sheep

Jones, Kelly

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

Korman, Gordon

Masterminds

LaReau, Kara

The Infamous Ratsos

Markle, Sandra

What If You Had Animal Eyes?

Manes, Stephen

Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days

Pennypacker, Sara

Clementine

Scieszka, Jon

Knights of the Kitchen Table

Spinelli, Jerry

Fourth Grade Rats

Tarshis, Lauren

I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919

Vernick, Audrey

Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team

Warner, Gertrude

Boxcar Children

Wiles, Deborah

Love, Ruby Lavender

Winter, Jonah

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!