UMS Partners with Markham Public Library

Our library is changing! But it’s more than just our physical library that is undergoing change; it is the whole concept of the library. We are moving from having books available only during school hours, to a Learning Commons with a much greater variety of resources available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! A Learning Commons “expands the learning experience, taking students and educators into virtual spaces beyond the walls of the school.” It is an opportunity for the exploration of ideas and concepts, encouraging inquiry, through the connection of learners to information, to each other and to communities around the world.” “The Learning Commons seeks to expand and integrate the real and virtual choices learners have to share their experiences. Safe, inclusive and welcoming environments throughout a school are imperative to meet the diverse abilities and learning styles of individuals, teams and groups. Virtual learning spaces increase this potential.” (Ontario School Library Association)

We are accomplishing this by moving ahead with our partnership with the Markham Public Library in order to enhance our services to our school community. Our website will soon have a direct link to the Markham Public Libraries. This will enable our students to have 24/7 access to library materials including books, e-books, on-line catalogues and databases. Students and parents will be able to reserve and renew books on their home devices. Teachers will be able to create book lists for students who can also create their own “shelves” of books that they have read. They can then share these with other students and with their teachers.

Students have had the opportunity to apply for a Markham Public Library card that allows access to all branch collections in the Markham Public Library (MPL) system. This includes full access and use of the MPL suite of Databases available on the library website. In addition, MPL will provide direct, customized curriculum support and homework and assignment help via class visits and virtual services (e.g. web-based delivery). Over the summer, library staff will create research units tied to our curriculum. These units will incorporate the many resources available both at the library and on-line.

Here are some sample databases that are available to us 24/7 through MPL:

Kids InfoBits

Little PIM

NoveList Plus K-8

PebbleGo Animals & PebbleGo Earth and Space

Science Power

Social Studies Power

TumbleBook Cloud Jr

Tumble AudioBookCloud

TumbleBook Library

World Book Kids

Click here to visit the City of Markham website, to view the links and descriptions above. Click here to visit the City of Markham website, to view a full list of all available MPL databases. Click here to visit the MPL website.

http://www.unionvillemontessori.com/ums-partners-markham-public-library