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Wild About Books!
Elaine Karczmit has transformed the JFK library in the three years since she has become the Library Media Specialist. It’s not a surprise—she was a fifth-grade teacher at C.V. Starr for twenty-two years, and she is inspired by books! Her love of books can be seen as soon as one enters the school. The entrance to the library is bright green and flanked on either side by the spines of giant books lined up as if on a shelf, with some of the titles selected by main office staff members, Mrs. Augugliaro ("Pokey Little Puppy"), Mrs. Danvin ("Don’t Laugh Joe"), Mrs. Merlotto (“The Lorax”), Mrs. Matthews (“The Rainbow Fish”), Mr. Conroy (“The Little Engine That Could”), and Dr. Zamperlin ("Pinnochio"). The display color was inspired by the green book bench that sits just inside the door – a recent gift from the PTA.
Miss Karczmit has a lot to say about the importance of books in the life of every young elementary school learner. She knows that children are visual learners – that’s why many of the library’s books are displayed face out so that the covers can be seen. She also has a burgeoning collection of approximately 100 plush book characters next to the books to attract readers, including: Sylvester from “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble,” Joseph from “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat,” Pete from “Pete the Cat,” and Clifford from “Clifford the Big Red Dog.”
Some new items in the library include Magabrowzers, kid-friendly organizational bins to store books facing out, a magazine rack filled with titles including Ranger Rick Jr., Cricket, and Zoobooks, as well books on subjects as varied as Titanic, unicorns, gymnastics and dinosaurs. The walls of the library are filling up, too. Signs of book settings adorn the wall above the windows, which look out onto the playground. From Hogwarts ("Harry Potter") to 54 Deckawoo Drive ("Mercy Watson"), each sign was individually selected and designed. There is a spectacular display on the wall next to the checkout desk: 34 clocks of all different sizes, colors and styles. Fan favorites include the beating heart clock and the Salvador Dali melting clock. After all, it’s always “Time To Read!”
Miss Karczmit is looking forward to teaching JFK kindergarten students about library manners and book care with the help of Mr. Wiggle and the "Mr. Wiggle" book series. First graders review library rules and book care tips using Chester the Cat and the "Chester" series. Second graders review rules regarding book care with the help of a shelf elf named "Skoob" – that’s “books” spelled backwards -- a literary character featured in two “Shelf Elf” books, who will inspire children as they make their way through fiction and non-fiction titles, Caldecott selections ("Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" is her favorite) and fairy and folk tales (Miss Karczmit does all the voices). With her love of books, Miss Karczmit seeks to inspire a lifelong love of reading in her students. She says being the library teacher at JFK is “the best job I never knew I always wanted!”