Reading Events:

* *Welcome Back* *

We're off to a great start of the 2010-11 school hear, here in the PMS Library!

All Language Arts classes will be bringing students for library orientations over the next few weeks. After students attend orientation, they may begin checking out library books. I'm delighted to say that many students have already dropped in to ask WHEN they can start checking out!!

Library orientation consists of a tour, explanations of rules and policies, and a hands-on activity in which students search for particular books in the catalog, then locate them on the shelves.

* *Panther Book Clubs* *

During orientations, students will have the opportunity to sign up for Panther Book club. Because lunches are staggered, Book Club will probably have to meet once a month either before or after school. Please encourage your student to come join us for lively discussion of good books!

* *Lone Star Readers!!* *

Several students have already started to read the 2010-11 Lone Star books over the summer! Students need to come see Mrs. Zell to answer a question about the book in order to have their names entered in the prize database.

At the end of September, Mrs. Zell will begin her first round of booktalks in all ELA classes. At this time, she'll also introduce some of the books that will be for sale at this year's Book Fair in October.

* * Book Fair!!!* *

The 2010 PMS Scare Fair is coming!! This year, the Teacher Preview will be Friday Oct 15th. The Scare Fair will officially open Monday morning, October 18th, and run through Thursday October 21st. Family Night will be Thursday October 21st, from 6-8 pm, and some of our Panther Band students will be performing throughout the evening! Please call Mrs. Zell at 594-2071 if you would like to volunteer during Book Fair. Your help is greatly appreciated.

* * One for Books!!!* *

Once again Mrs. Zell will coordinate the One for Books project in conjunction with the Book Fair. Our goal is for every student and staff member to donate at least $1. For every dollar we raise, Scholastic will donate a book to a needy child through Toys for Tots, the National Center for Family Literacy, or Kids in Distressed Situations.

PMS School Reading Program:

At PMS, the school-wide reading program is based on the Texas Lone Star Books. These 20 books, recommended for students in grades 6 through 8, are selected by librarians across the state. This year, the program is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Texas schools! Please see the Lone Star Summaries link below for descriptions of the 2009-10 Lone Star titles.

All PMS students are strongly encouraged to read one or more of the 2009-10 Lone Star Books. Mrs. Zell goes into all English classes to booktalk these titles several times per year--normally in September, November, and January.

Once a student reads one of the Lone Star books, he/she goes to Mrs. Zell to answer a question about the book. Then the student's name is entered into a database, so prize levels can be tracked. Prizes are awarded to each student who reads 2, 5,10, 15, and all 20 books. At the end of the year, we celebrate all of our top readers. Last year there were five students who read all 20 Lone Star books! Let's see if we can top that number this year!

Library Rules:

1. Show respect for people.
2. Show respect for materials. No GUM!!

* * Fines Policy * *

If a book is lost or damaged beyond repair, a student will be expected to pay for its replacement plus a $2 processing fee.

Students who do not return library books on time are charged fines of 10 cents per item per day. If a student has a fine, or an overdue book that has not been returned, he/she CANNOT

• check out any more books until the fine is paid
• attend a school dance or any other school-sponsored event

Fines may also be assessed if the book is returned damaged. Students are strongly encouraged to check a book for damage before they check it out, so they do not incur a fine for something they didn't do.

Students can check their library fines from any computer. Fines lists are also distributed to all Language Arts teachers at least once a month. Please keep on top of your fines, so you don't lose other privileges!

Helpful Links:

• PMS Online Library Catalog
• Lone Star Book List 2010-11

• Stories and Sequels
• Pflugerville Community Library
• Wells Branch Community Library
• Round Rock Public Library
• Austin Public Library