Library

AOS Brown Foundation Library has two libraries in one, a Lower School Library which serves PS-4th grades and a Middle School Library which serves grades 5-8. Our core mission includes the support of learning and teaching, provision of current resources, and stimulation of intellectual curiosity and imagination. We offer a broad collection of books, print periodicals and multimedia materials to support the classroom and personal reading interests PS-8.

The library staff works closely at all levels with faculty to build lessons integrating curriculum and activities using the library and its resources. Our projects require active learning. A visitor to the Lower School Library might observe a biographical project on picture book authors that involves reading several books by the author and a biography to see how the author's life inspires the books. Or they might see research being done on subscription databases by the 3rd grade for their virtual tour of the United States. In Middle School, students might be researching details for the setting of a piece of historical fiction or for the 7th grade Biographies in Context paper. We continue to promote use of print resources in addition to the variety of subscription databases available for student access 24/7 through the school website. I meet frequently with teachers at all levels and in most disciplines to build projects which reflect the classroom curricular needs while effecting strong research and information literacy skills. We love to team this way with teachers, and our collective enthusiasm shows to the students. 

Databases available for Grades K-3

Databases available for Grades 3-6

Databases available for Grades 6-8 

The library staff also reads widely from our growing collection of over 25,000 items so that we can recommend interesting titles to our students. We open at recess for Lower Schoolers to exchange books, and during lunch for Middle Schoolers who need our resources. We host book clubs occasionally at various levels and display student art whenever possible.

Authors of the Year - Cynthia DeFelice and Tanya Lee Stone

The AOS Brown Foundation Library is a truly unique place, at the center of the AOS curriculum, because the librarians all enjoy collaborating with the faculty to build the best possible program for the students.

Dorcas Hand
Director of Libraries
713.470.5685