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 30 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 and check out books.
Automated Library Notices!
Overdue notices are 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.
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.
Webpath Express: 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!.
Book Fairs
The OLGC Library hosts two book fairs a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Proceeds from the sales help support our library programs through the purchasing of books and other library materials.
Dates for the 2018-2019 school year are:
Fall 2019 Book Fair: November 11-15: Please join us at our Fall Book Fair! We will have a wide-variety of books and games for children of all ages. Proceeds from our book fair help to purchase many new and exciting books for our library.
Fall Book Fair Hours:
Spring 2020 Book Fair: May 29 to June 2: In Spring 2019, 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! This year our Summer Reading Book Fair will be held on Friday, May 29; Sunday, May 31; Monday, June 1 & Tuesday, June 2.
Many volunteers make light work of set-up, clean-up, and helping students purchase books. Please consider helping us out at our next book fair...no experience necessary!
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!
April 2019
September 2019
Welcome back to the Library!
September brought the students back to the library with many learning activities:
- Kindergarten & 1st Grade: Our youngest elementary students learned all about the library and book care. They also learned about the genres of "fiction" and "non-fiction."
- 2nd though 5th Grades: Each grade listens to and discusses a novel over the course of the year. Our novel studies were started this month:
- 2nd Grade: "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" by Beverly Cleary.
- 3rd Grade: "The BFG" & "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" both by Roald Dahl
- 4th Grade: "The Puzzling World of Winston Breen" by Eric Berlin
- 5th Grade: "How I Became a Spy: A Mystery of WWII London" by Deborah Hopkinson
- 6th Grade: 6th Grade reviewed book genres and library terms.
- 7th Grade: 7th Grade began honing their research skills while working on their Explorers & Conquistadors reports for Social Studies.
- 8th Grade: 8th Grade worked on their high school resumes, as well as started monthly study skills lessons.
