Welcome to the C.E.T. library. Our bright and airy library, renovated in 1997 and re-occupied in September of 2005, invites readers and searchers to explore the riches within, from books, to magazines, to computers to a quiet place to read or research. We are proud of our automated child friendly library, featuring a beautiful large oak reference desk with an automated circulation system, a classroom for library lessons and a story telling/ audiovisual room, where classes can watch curriculum related materials or listen to a wide variety of literature.

Our Library houses a collection of approximately 12,000 volumes, and has two iMac computers with Internet access for research. Two other computers are OPACS, (Online Public Access Catalogs) where students can search for library books within the library by subject, author or title.

Each class comes to the library for a 45 minute period each cycle. Students are assisted with book selection and general library usage, research in the reference section and at the two library computer work stations. Many days over two hundred books are circulated and the library overflows with classes and individual students researching and preparing projects.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS

Birthday Tree Program

Read Aloud Day

Author Visits

Class of the Month Award

The Birthday Tree program has contributed over 1,200 books to the library since it's inception. To participate in this program C.E.T. families are asked to purchase a new book from a wish list or a personal favorite to donate to the library in honor of a birthday or a special event in the family. A beautiful book plate is placed in the front of the book giving the name of the donor and the event for which the book was donated. The donor has the honor of being the first person to check out the book. Not only does this help to keep our collection new and current, it also encourages a spirit of giving and a love of reading in our students.

The Great New York Read Aloud Day is sponsored by New York State Library Association. Each year, during National Library Week, guest readers are invited to come to the school to read to each class. Readers include the mayor, the police chief, the superintendent of schools, the children's services public librarian, local business people and a group of high school students. Guest readers may bring their own favorite or choose from a wide assortment of books, e.g. multicultural, seasonal, character education, classics, Caldecott award winners and books to tickle the funny bone. Afterwards, students are invited to ask questions and discuss the books. Each adult reader receives a bouttonniere and the high school students are given a certificate of appreciation.

During November, to celebrate Children's Book Week and the C.E.T. P.T.A. sponsored Bookfair, authors and illustrators from the region are invited to the school to talk to students, share their writings with them and answer questions from the students. Guest authors and illustrators have included Roni Schotter, Jean Van Leeuwen, local residents Gloria Pinkney and her illustrator husband Gerry, Jean Marzollo, who asked a fourth grade class from C.E.T to test puzzles in one of her books, Beatrice Gormley, Besty Sterman, Marissabina Russo and many others. A highlight of this program has been Jim McKenna, a story reader who engages and enchants the children with his lively readings. In the evening he presents a program for the whole family - a much anticipated and enjoyed event.

The library award was instituted to reward ideal library behavior. Each month, the class who follows all the library rules, receives this honor certificate. The aim is to stress consideration of other students. The criteria for selection is based on using soft voices while reading and selecting books, and placing books carefully back on shelves and not carelessly tossing them about. Each recipient receives a color computer-generated certificate to hang proudly in their classroom. In special situations, other certificates have been awarded for "champion researching" and "outstanding community service" in the library.

CET Web Page