TEACHERS & HOMESCHOOL

Tips for Teachers

Teachers and students are important members of the community served by the Batavia Public Library District. While we are not a substitute for the school library, we can be an additional source of information and assistance. To help us serve you more efficiently, we have compiled a few tips for teachers.

Library Visits

Classes within the Library District are welcome to visit the Library for a tour or short program, or to arrange for a librarian to visit them. Call the Youth Services department at 879-1393 ext. 500 to schedule a visit. Please make requests for visits at least two weeks in advance.

Library Databases

The Library subscribes to a number of online databases that may be helpful for your students. These range from language learning activities to in-depth material on ancient civilizations and more. All of these fully vetted resources can be accessed from within the Library. Use your Batavia Public Library Card for off-site access.

Borrowing Materials

The Library is happy to arrange delivery of teacher request items via the school district van. These requests must be made through the school’s LRC director.
Teachers are welcome to borrow items from the Library using their personal library cards. These items cannot be delivered.
Valid library cards from neighboring public libraries are accepted at the Batavia Public Library. Students and teachers should apply for a library card from their home library.

Assignment Alert

Fill out the form and submit the information prior to giving your students an assignment so that the Library staff will be better prepared to assist your students. Please attach a copy of the written assignment sheet, if possible.

Create an Assignment Alert.

Class Projects

Visit or call the Library, or search the Library’s online catalog here to find out what materials are available before creating your assignments.
Notify the Library as far in advance as possible of the assignment and arrange for acceptable alternatives. Mass assignments on a specific subject result in the first few students borrowing all of the available materials. The Library has created a simple and brief Assignment Alert form that all teachers are encouraged to use in advance of any project assigned to students.
Be willing to accept page or chapter references from books, magazine and newspaper articles, and/or articles from general or specialized encyclopedias or dictionaries, as well as citations from online reference sources. An entire book on a limited subject may not exist or be available at research time.
Check for availability of materials at the appropriate reading level for your students.
Give research assignments in writing, as early as possible. Encourage your students to bring copies of these assignment handouts with them when they visit the Library. An advance copy sent to the Library is also very helpful. Written assignments make it easier for students to accurately explain their needs.
Give students a choice on reading lists. Be willing to let them ask a librarian to help them choose a similar title if copies of the desired title are unavailable.

For More Assistance

For more help, preschool, elementary and middle school teachers may contact the Youth Services Department at (630)-879-1393, ext. 500.

Youth Services Staff:

Head of Youth Services: Joanne Zillman
School Liaison Librarians: Aimee Marx and Amanda Vanderwerf
Staff: Ruth Arrott, Joleen Batek, Jen Connon, Kathleen Redmond, Mary Steskal

Homeschool Families

Homeschool families are always welcome at the Batavia Public Library! During your visit you can:

Check out books, movies, audiobooks, book discussion kits, and more.
Use a group study room.
Come to Batavia Public Library programs (check specific programs for Library Card requirements). See our event calendar.

Library Tour

Homeschool families that have a Batavia Library card are welcome to visit the Library for a tour or short program. Call the Youth Services department at (630)-879-1393 ext. 500 to schedule a visit for students in Preschool through grade 8. Call the Adult Services Department at (630)-879-1393 ext. 200 for Students in grades 9-12. Please make requests for visits at least two weeks in advance.

Homeschool Survey

Families who live in the Batavia Public Library District are also welcome to complete our Homeschool Survey to help us enhance your Library experience.

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