Brooklyn private independent school

Libraries & Technology

 

The world of technology is changing faster than ever, and the quickening pace can make technology instruction seem daunting. Members of the Technology and Library Departments at our three campus facilities strive to counter this by helping students and faculty develop the skills to use many different types of digital resources, the means to choose the best tool to solve a problem, and the ability to adapt confidently to new technology. Faculty members, both in and out of the Technology and Library Departments, use technology to help students collaborate, learn about diverse perspectives and cultures, and think critically about their world.
 

Device Initiative

In the Lower School, students use iPads in developmentally appropriate ways as they learn the basics of the digital world and internet research. Middle School students master the iPad in 5th and 6th grades, and move onto ChromeBooks for 7th and 8th. Finally, in the Upper School, students are given the option of using their own device or a school-issued MacBook Air. These devices enhance many of our curricular initiatives, helping our students collaborate, use digital research resources, and synthesize and display findings in presentations.

Lower School

The 712 Carroll Street Library serves PreK and Kindergarten students and teachers. Parents are frequent visitors as well, taking out books with and for their children. This top-floor, bright space is stocked with books geared to the interests of our youngest students.

The 701 Carroll Street Library consists of several smaller spaces, now known as “Hubs.” These spaces house the library collection, leveled books for classroom use, and many digital and analog resources for 1st through 4th grades. The Hubs provide small spaces for independent student work as well as collaboration. Among these small spaces is the STEAM Hub, created as a place for students and teachers to learn, create, design and collaborate using materials ranging from cardboard to robots to iPads - a new envisioning of the functions and objectives of a library.

Middle School & Upper School

The Middle School and Upper School libraries are technologically rich information resources that function as integral components of instruction in all subjects at every grade level.

Librarians and technology integrators provide support for student work, partnering with teachers across all curricula to help students learn how to integrate information literacy and 21st century skills in their curriculum-based research. An important goal is for every Berkeley Carroll student to become an efficient and ethical user of information.

Each library has a Knowledge Bar, where students and faculty can check out books, troubleshoot technology issues and receive support using the library’s digital and print resources. They strive to provide students with books (in all formats) that they want and need to read and also serve as community spaces for a variety of uses.