Library
Curriculum Overview:
We are fortunate to have a beautiful library with over 14,000 books! Our library program is designed to foster a love of reading and also equip our students with library and research skills that they will use in their academic lives and beyond.
In addition to the books in our library, students may also take advantage of magazines, online databases, and the 18 computer stations in our library media center. We also have a state-of-the-art ActivPanel, an interactive board used for library lessons and presentations..
All students at OLGC have a weekly scheduled library class. In Grades K-5, students independently check out books and engage in various activities to foster their research and literacy skills. In Grades 6-8, students learn research and study skills, as well as have time to read, complete homework, and check out books.
OLGC Library Web Links and Resources:
Here are some links to some of our most used OLGC Library resources:
OLGC Library Online Catalog: Use this link to look up books we have in the OLGC Library for fun or for a report.
You can also use the catalog to find online resources especially for student use through our Webpath Express service. After accessing the catalog:
- click on Our Lady of Good Counsel
- click on Catalog
- click on Webpath Express
FactCite American History: Explore this database to find interesting facts about American History. Username: olgc Password: wildcats
Find It Virginia: Explore this website managed by the Library of Virginia which contains databases and other online learning tools for Virginians of all ages.
Fairfax County Public Library: Explore what is available on the Fairfax County Public Library website. Use this link, and then click on the link for FCPL Catalog--Classic View.
Sign Up for a Fairfax County Public Library Card: Summer is a great time to visit the library! If you don't already have a FCPL card, click on the above link for the online application.
Accelerated Reader Bookfinder: AR Bookfinder is a great way to look for books of interest. Use this link, and do an advanced search. Use your Lexile Score to find the perfect book!.
2019 Summer Reading Lists!
Students who will be enrolled in Grades 4 to 8 for the 2019-2020 school year are assigned summer reading. In each grade, one book is assigned which all the students read. They are additionally required to read two other books of their choice. Summer Reading Lists for each grade may be found by clicking on the list links by grade below.
FCPL Summer Reading Adventure
Keep reading all summer by joining Fairfax County Public Library's Summer Reading Adventure! Open to all ages from babies through teens, this is a fun way to track your reading and earn a coupon book of prizes and discounts, Open from June 13 to August 31st. Click here for more information and reading logs.
Automated Library Notices!
Overdue notices are now automated!
Parents will receive an email about any books your child has checked out that are overdue by 7 or more days.
Questions? Please email Mrs. Holden.
Book Fairs
The OLGC Library hosts a book fair in the fall and spring of each year. Proceeds from the books sold help support our library programs by raising funds to purchase books and other library materials.
Dates for the 2018-2019 school year are:
Fall 2018 Book Fair: November 5-9: Thank you to all of our volunteers and shoppers who made our book fair a success. We were able to purchase many new and exciting books for our library with the proceeds raised.
Spring 2019 Book Fair: Friday, May 31 to Tuesday, June 4: This year, we held our 1st ever Summer Reading Book Fair to help families stock up on educational books and games for the summer. Parishioners were able to find age appropriate reading materials and educational games, including OLGC school required summer reading books, for preschool through 8th grade students to help keep children learning & reading all summer long. Thank you so much to all of our wonderful volunteers who organized and kept our book fair running!
Library Newsletters
May 2019
In May, our First Grade students completed their first chapter book read aloud & novel study! The Littles by John Peterson is a novel about a family who are only a few inches tall and live in the walls of an old house. We read the story together, discussed it, and created illustrations based on the story.
May was also library review month. Our older students reviewed library and research skill vocabulary and concepts.
The month of May will conclude with our Summer Reading Book Fair from May 31st to June 4th! We hope to see you there!