Our collection is culturally relevant, broad, and bilingual: encompassing the best fiction and non-fiction children’s literature from many generations, genres, and cultures.

Our bilingual library media specialist, Julie Kersting, curates this remarkable collection and hosts weekly library classes for all grades.

• K4 students spend 40 minutes in the library every week.
• K5 through sixth-grade students spend 60 minutes in the library every week.

Reading, Research, and More

Library time prepares La Escuela Fratney students for advanced bilingual studies in high school and college and enhanced career opportunities. Children browse and check out books, becoming biliterate, book-loving learners as they follow Spanish and English language arts academic standards. Technology training and classes in the Library Media Center help students develop research skills and teach them to use the internet safely.

Discussing and developing an awareness of media literacy strengthens students’ technological abilities and encourages responsible digital citizenship. Understanding the difference between primary and secondary sources of information, opinion essays and news reports builds critical thinking abilities and communication skills. Students discuss what they read, sharing their research in presentations and projects.

Children learn better when their schoolwork is relevant to their lives and experiences, so our collection features storybooks and histories that represent La Escuela Fratney’s multicultural, multilingual families. Teachers integrate multicultural, antiracist teaching practices in all subjects and our library collection does the same.

Hands-On STEAM Learning

In our Library Media Center Makerspace, students can create with Legos, circuit boards, building blocks, and robots during STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, math). Makerspace creations reflect student interests and curiosity.

Through exploration, innovation, and collaboration, STEAM-minded students develop a growth mindset that promotes problem-solving and critical thinking skills.