Graystone Elementary > Media Center

Our library/media center invites all Graystone families to join us in celebrating reading.  The purpose of our library is to provide, for the Graystone community, access to a wide variety of books to meet all reading levels and interest levels and to support the curriculum.  We want our students to use our library to learn to be lifelong readers, for both pleasure and learning. Our collection features outstanding literature for children of all ages, fiction and nonfiction. 

My history with this library is long.  I had the pleasure of working with Doris Dillon, both as a parent volunteer and as her library aide for several years.  After Doris left us, I became the librarian here at Graystone until the district laid off all the librarians.  I have been proud to serve as the Literacy Events Coordinator for Graystone with the support of the Home and School Club for several years.  Their generosity allows Melissa Powell to work in our library as the Assistant Literacy Event Coordinator.  Our passion for this library drives us to ensure that Graystone students have access to the newest and best print material, especially vocabulary rich nonfiction.  Our longstanding relationship with Hicklebees has enriched our students, both with books and author visits.  They have sent us many authors, both brand new and well known.  Our Graystone students always impress our visiting authors with the quality of their questions. 

The library is staffed by Diana Dahlin in the early mornings and Melissa Powell and myself throughout the school day.  Students check out books each week when they visit the library with their class and parents are always encouraged to check out books to read at home.  Our parent volunteers are a key element in the success of the library. Each week, these dedicated parents checkout books and shelve the returned books, as well as assist students and teachers and help us keep the library looking spiffy.  We also depend on our volunteers to help with our Book Fairs and other events throughout the year.  Let there be no doubt – Graystone parents ensure that this library is the terrific place it is – through their both financial support and daily hands on work. 

Our library events each year are many.  A giant Scholastic Book Fair allows us to return at least $150 to each and every classroom.  Our ½ price Scholastic Book Fair in conjunction with our March Madness reading celebration, allows us to thank the community for their support.  Our annual Springtime Hicklebees Book Fair allows me to purchase for our library the newest and best fiction each year.  We also feature Family Storytimes throughout the year, a Build a Valentine for Mom event, Book Swaps and Parent’s Night Out.

Once, while visiting another school, a child told me he loved the library, because it was the “family room” for the school.  That is exactly the feeling we are trying to create in our library.  Join us anytime, to check out books, to help, or simply to hang out——

Melissa and I are proud to provide the Graystone community with this jewel of a library and events that celebrate reading and families. 

Happy Reading
Michele Taylor
Literacy Events Coordinator