The Teunis G. Bergen Elementary Public School 9 80 Underhill Avenue, Brooklyn NY, 11238 718 638-3260 (phone) | 718 622-2961 (fax) Sandra D'Avilar, Principal Deborah Smith, Assistant Principal
An inquiry-driven, student-centered school needs a library; books, on-line resources, and other materials support students in their explorations. Due to this belief in what an educational setting should offer its students, PS 9, in partnership with MS 571 housed on the third floor of the building, forged a partnership in order to fundraise and develop a campus library. Our aim is to make the library the heart of the school: a place for research, a resource for independent student explorations and class investigations, and a place for dialogue about a wide range of subjects.
The first phase of creating the library has already started. The Library Planning Committee has worked over the past year and a half to develop plans and raise money for the initial renovation of the space and a first installment of books. The Committee consists of parents, teachers, administrators and a representative from the DOE’s Office of Library Services and community partners. After learning about best practices for K-8 libraries, the Planning Committee created a survey for parents, teachers and students in order to create a plan that truly embodies a holistic vision of a community space.
As we move forward into the construction and building the collection phase, we hope to create a library that ultimately achieves the following goals:
Students will use library resources to think critically across the curriculum
Students will use library resources to explore and expand their own interests
Students, teachers, and the larger PS 9 and MS 571 communities will engage in dialogue with a wide range of people about a wide range of subjects, expanding their own horizons and growing their own community
PS 9 and MS 571 teachers, students, and parents will share the library space; this space will serve as a bridge between the two schools and their communities
PS 9 and MS 571 will provide sufficient staff and volunteers to keep the library open during the entire school day, after school until 6 pm, and regular weekend hours
Library will serve as a welcoming community space with areas for whole-class, large group, and individual work, and cozy reading spaces
Librarian will set-up an automated check-out system allowing students and teachers to easily borrow books and other resources
An advisory team will continue to explore options such as partnerships with the Brooklyn Public Library and New York Public Library, and will assist PS 9 and MS 571 in obtaining resources and maintaining a state-of-the-art library
Library
The first phase of creating the library has already started. The Library Planning Committee has worked over the past year and a half to develop plans and raise money for the initial renovation of the space and a first installment of books. The Committee consists of parents, teachers, administrators and a representative from the DOE’s Office of Library Services and community partners. After learning about best practices for K-8 libraries, the Planning Committee created a survey for parents, teachers and students in order to create a plan that truly embodies a holistic vision of a community space.
As we move forward into the construction and building the collection phase, we hope to create a library that ultimately achieves the following goals: