The John E. Chance II Memorial Library was designed by Kevin J. Gossen in 1998. The library's design is symbolic of a mother nurturing her child.
Mrs. Joretta Chance has said this of the library, "When I enter the Library at Our Lady of Fatima I am surrounded with a space that is filled with light, shape and color. This backdrop acts as a serene gathering spot for our youth to learn and absorb knowledge and Christian values, which I believe is our future. The library is also a space that I continue to enjoy visiting, for it is a connection to my son, John."
Mission and Goals
The library is a dynamic environment that provides a broad range of learning services and media resources to the children and patrons of Our Lady of Fatima School and the community. The mission yields a true love of reading while integrating quality learning with classroom curriculum.
Library Hours
7:30am - 3:00pm
Students in 2nd-8th grade are welcome to come in any time during the school day with a library pass given by their teacher. We are also open for 2nd-8th grade big recess.
If there is a scheduled class in the library, students with a library pass can still return or check out books with the help of the librarian or librarian assistant at the circulation desk.
Class Schedules
*Pre-K students visit the library for 20 minutes once a week.
*K-5th grade students receive 50 minute bi-weekly instruction designated as Schedule A and B. Additional flexible scheduling is available as needed.
*6th-8th grade students are on a flexible schedule. They use the library independently or when scheduled by a teacher or librarian in 50 minute intervals.
*DEC students are included in regular library lessons.
Our school community of teachers and students have access to our collection of over 23,000 titles through our online library management system Destiny. Patrons can access Destiny at school and at home. Students in grades 3-8 have individualized accounts within Destiny to view their checkouts, place holds, and create favorite lists. Destiny encompasses both our card catalog and the research databases that we subscribe to (i.e., World Book Online, EBSCO, and Gale). To learn more about our checkout policy and other library maintenance policies, see below.
Students in grades 2-8 participate in the Accelerated Reader Program. This is a computerized learning information system developed by Renaissance Learning for use in the school setting. The program provides opportunities for students to practice reading skills suitable for their reading level. After reading an AR book, students test on the computer. The computer scores the quiz, assigns points earned, and keeps a personal record on each child throughout his/her school years. This record follows him/her to feeder schools upon request. The school does not allow AR testing from home. To learn more about how we use the program to encourage reading, see below.
Throughout the school year, the library encourages the importance and love of reading through several optional reading programs other than Accelerated Reader. Some of these programs include, but are not limited to the LYRC (Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice) Program, March Book Madness, summer reading, book fairs, read-a-thons, book swaps, reading challenges, author visits and book clubs. To learn more about all of the exciting things happening in our library, visit the OLF Library website linked below.