The Stephens Elementary Library has a collection of 12,000+ books, ebooks, reference items, magazines, and other materials available for students and staff. The library collection is constantly being evaluated and adjusted to ensure it meets the educational needs and reading desires of our students.

The main goals of our library are to foster a love of reading, promote the growth of literacy, and to create lifelong learners who can navigate the modern digital world.

Students have a scheduled library class each week, during which they receive instruction in the use of the library and its materials. They also check out books of their choice.

 

Our library supports student choice and ready access to books. Although students are only assigned one library class visit a week, they are strongly encouraged to exchange their books as needed.

Student check out limits

Kindergarten:            1 Book

1st Grade:                  1 Book

2nd Grade:               2 Books

3rd Grade:                2 Books

4th Grade:                2 Books

5th Grade:                2 Books

 

All student materials are checked out for a one week period. When checking out or renewing books, students must bring all books currently checked out to them back to the library. Books in high demand may not be available for renewal.

Behavior expectations

• The library is a learning environment and as such the following expectations are to be followed at all times.

•  Listen to the speaker and follow all directions the first time given.

•  Keep your hands, feet and other objects to yourself.

•  Take good care of the library and everything in it.

•  Speak, work and walk quietly. No running in the library.

•  Be polite and treat all others with respect.

Book care

•  Use clean hands when handling books.

•  Keep books away from food and liquids.

•  Never write in, scribble on, glue, cut or tear the pages of a library book.

•  Mark your place with a bookmark or a clean piece of paper. No Dog Ears!

•  Turn the pages by using the top right corner of the book.

•  Keep your books in a safe place at school and at home, away from babies and pets.

In 2022, we were awarded a grant for a Book Vending Machine through the Garland Education Foundation. One of our students, Austin Monday was granted the privilege to cut the ribbon because he won the MyOn Summer Reading Challenge the year we received the vending machine. 

Through other grants, we have stocked it full of books for students of all ages, Pre-K through 5th grade. We also have a wide variety of English & Spanish books so we include everybody in the promotion of literacy & reading. 

Students may get a book from the vending machine by being awarded a special Book Token. These tokens can be awarded in many ways, such as: earning 20 Shine Tickets, having above & beyond behavior, showing kindness, winning awards/certifications, and so much more. 

Within the last 2 years of having this vending machine, we have awarded at least 100 students with a free book, and we plan to award over 100 more each year. 

In addition to the normal literacy and technology lessons taught each day, the Stephens Library participates in several activities and programs during the year to encourage reading success.

Braum’s Book Buddies

Students are rewarded with coupons from Braums for a variety of free delicious treats for each 6 books they successfully read during the year.

Scholastic Book Fair

Our library host 2 book fairs each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. The book fair is filled with the latest book titles and offers a way for students to build their home libraries. All proceeds are used to purchase new books, supplies, and other items for our school library.

Texas Bluebonnet Award Program

Students in 3rd through 5th grades participate each year in the Texas Bluebonnet Award Program. Students must read at least five of twenty books from the list of nominees to be eligible to vote at the end of January. Through this process, students select the winner of the Texas Bluebonnet Award which is presented each spring at the TLA conference.

 

Did you know you can find out what books your child currently has checked out or use one of our many digital resources from home?

The Garland Independent School District has many digital resource programs for parents, students, and teachers to use at school as well as at home. These programs include Encyclopedia Britannica, Pebbles Go, and National Geographic Kids, just to name a few. Simply go to the district library page and choose your child's school.

 To login to our district resources, go to

• http://library.garlandisd.net

• Choose Stephens Elementary

• To see your child’s account information:

• Click on "Login" and type in your child's ID number for Username.

• Enter the Password gisd.

To use our resources

You do not have to be logged into a student’s library account to use the digital resources. Just stay on the Stephens Library home page and click on the resources you want to use. If the site asks for a password, use the following.

ID: garlandisd

PW: garland