Library
Our Founders Library, Reading Room and Computer Lab gives The Northwest School community access to a variety of information sources, including books, DVD's, audiobooks, library catalog and online databases.
The goal of our curriculum-based program is to encourage students to be tenacious and independent learners, to ask questions, to develop information-seeking strategies, and to synthesize and evaluate what they discover. Our librarians, Charlotte King-Mills and Alicia Kalan, collaborates with teachers from all disciplines to create assignments. Our library staff promotes recreational reading through book talks and school-wide events, such as author visits, DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), Library Open Houses that showcase the library's new books, several book clubs, and our partnership with Elliott Bay Book Company.
The Middle School Library Instruction Program
The goal of our Middle School library program is to ensure that students and faculty are effective users of ideas and information, and it is completely curriculum-based. The librarian works closely with Middle School teachers to develop and assess assignments.
Starting in 6th grade and continuing through 8th grade, students develop skills to identify and interpret information, organize data, produce research projects, and evaluate their process and final product. Using wide variety of print and electronic sources, students conduct research in all disciplines, particularly humanities, science, languages and the arts. The library also sponsors a Middle School Book Club for students and a YAH (Young at Heart) Book Club for Middle School teachers to read and discuss Young Adult books.
The Upper School Library Program
Our Librarian collaborates with faculty from all disciplines to integrate research and technology into the curriculum. The library is a center of collaboration for Upper School classes. In addition to teaching website evaluation and advanced research skills to students, our librarians help teachers design class projects using books, periodicals, and online databases such as JSTOR, Proquest, and ELibrary.
The library has ten computers, and the entire school community can access information through our website at any time, from any place. Our librarians are available to consult with parents, and she accompanies students to public and university libraries to help with all levels of research, including the Senior Thesis. She also leads student and faculty book clubs.
Online Resources
Elliott Bay Book Company Partnership
Elliott Bay Book Company offers a unique partnership with The Northwest School Library. Now located within walking distance from school, Elliott Bay Book Company (EBBC) is a leading independent bookseller in the Pacific Northwest. EBBC provides a credit to The Northwest School Library every time a parent, guardian, or student makes a purchase.
The Northwest School partners with EBBC for our annual community event, Holiday on the Hill with Elliott Bay Book Company, brings student interest groups to EBBC, and encourages our community to check out the great speakers and events at EBBC.