1. New ProvidenceNew ProvidenceNew ProvidenceNew Providence
Elementary SchoolElementary SchoolElementary SchoolElementary School
Library Media CenterLibrary Media CenterLibrary Media CenterLibrary Media Center
Learning CommonsLearning CommonsLearning CommonsLearning Commons Annual ReportAnnual ReportAnnual ReportAnnual Report
2012201220122012 ---- 2013201320132013
Valerie Byrd Fort,Valerie Byrd Fort,Valerie Byrd Fort,Valerie Byrd Fort,
Learning Commons Specialist
Karen Gobbi,Karen Gobbi,Karen Gobbi,Karen Gobbi,
Learning Commons Assistant
Brenda Burkett,Brenda Burkett,Brenda Burkett,Brenda Burkett,
Technology Integration Specialist
Vision anVision anVision anVision and Missiond Missiond Missiond Mission
The Vision and Mission of the New Providence Elementary School Learning Commons is to ensure that
students are effective users of ideas and information in regards to both print and online resources. We
strive to provide materials and services appropriate to the curriculum of the school and to provide
services that meet the information and recreational needs of our learning community. We encourage the
4 C's - Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication and we provide opportunities for
collaboration between the Learning Commons Team and the Classroom Teacher to integrate information
literacy and technology into classroom instruction.
Learning CommonsLearning CommonsLearning CommonsLearning Commons TeamTeamTeamTeam HighlightHighlightHighlightHighlightssss forforforfor 2020202012121212----2020202011113333
• Hosted author visit by Phil Bildner in April
• Created a monthly newsletter for faculty and staff
• Posted regular updates on the Learning Commons
webpage, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages
• Held 2 Scholastic bookfairs. Bookfair events included a
Teacher Preview and Family Night.
• Participated in One for Books through the Scholastic
Book Fair. Raised $300 and purchased books for
Happy Wheels.
• Hosted interns from USC
• Valerie Byrd Fort and Brenda Burkett participated in
Whatever It Takes meetings
• Valerie Byrd Fort was a member of the Wonder Den
• Valerie Byrd Fort served on the Lexington 1 Learning
Commons Task Force
• Valerie Byrd Fort served as Sunshine Committee Chair
for the Lexington 1 Library Media Specialists
• Participated in the Global Read Aloud
• Participated in the Let’s Read with the Lady Gamecocks
Reading Program
• Celebrated special dates such as International Dot
Day, National Library Week, Star Wars Reads Day,
Free Comic Book Day, Digital Learning Day and Read
Across America Week.
• Participated in programs such as the S.C. Children’s
Book Award program and the S.C. Picture Book Award
program
• Hosted Roary’s Reading Lion Cubs once a month
• Collaborated with other schools around the state with a
South Carolina Children’s Book Award Book Club for
3
rd
, 4
th
, and 5
th
graders
• Volunteered at Park North Apartments once a month
• Hosted South Carolina Book Award Committee
Meetings at NPES
• Valerie Byrd Fort attended Leadercast
• Registered Therapy Dog, Emily, came to the Learning
Commons once a week.
• Participated in the Columbia Blowfish Reading
Program
• Participated in Pizza Hut BOOK IT!

2. Number of Items in Print CollectionNumber of Items in Print CollectionNumber of Items in Print CollectionNumber of Items in Print Collection How many booksHow many booksHow many booksHow many books werewerewerewere checked outchecked outchecked outchecked out
Number of classes that used theNumber of classes that used theNumber of classes that used theNumber of classes that used the Learning Commons /Learning Commons /Learning Commons /Learning Commons / Learning Commons TeamLearning Commons TeamLearning Commons TeamLearning Commons Team
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
2008 - 2009 2009 - 2010 2010 - 2011 2011 - 2012 2012 - 2013
640 classes were taught by the Learning Commons Team during the 2012-2013 school year. Activities
and lessons included: author studies; library and reading advocacy; and learning how to use the Library
Catalog (DestinyQuest). Information literacy skills were taught, such as: How to evaluate information in
reference and non-fiction texts; using information; how to format a “works cited” page; and more!
Students were taught effective methods of locating information on the Internet (including search
strategies and the use of DISCUS). Specific collaborative units included Harlem Renaissance Research
with 5th
grade; Country research with 5th
grade; Inventor/Invention research with 5th
grade; Continent
research with 2nd
grade; Fiction vs Non-Fiction with 1st
grade; Small group research with 1st
grade; ABCs
of South Carolina with 3rd
grade; and QR Code scavenger hunts with various grade levels.
ReflectionReflectionReflectionReflection //// What’s Next?What’s Next?What’s Next?What’s Next?
It was a busy year in the NPES Learning Commons! The Learning Commons Team taught numerous
collaborative lessons with all grade levels and we hope to increase that number next year. The Learning
Commons is on a more flexible schedule, which allows us to collaborate more with teachers and students.
We will continue to host special events, such as Digital Learning Day, Star Wars READS Day, and Book Fair.
We hope to support teachers with Common Core implementation and will continue to be an important
resource to the entire NPES learning community.
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
2008 - 2009 2009 - 2010 2010 - 2011 2011 - 2012 2012 - 2013