October 22nd 2023

I looked for a book while at the Prince George Public Library. I was thinking about Social Studies and how using a book for a lesson would be fun. I found one on the fur trades in Canada and I knew I could build a lesson using a piece. I was able to read the pages I decided to use while at the library and write down what I would need for the lesson and finish the lesson later on. I found the space very easy to sit and concentrate in and helped me focus. I think in my practice using the public library to find books that could be used, sitting in the library and reading the book, writing down how I will use it for the lesson before taking it out would be a lovely use of the library for myself to help in my lessons.

Image of bookshelf that has a wave pattern
Image taken by Lia at the PGPL

I took a lot of notes while we were there as a class because I wanted to remember ways I could use the public library in my practice. I wanted to remember how I could contact the library, which resources I could use and how I could use the library with my students. I think being able to ask for books on a subject and then come in after many have been pulled by librarians is something I would love to do for certain units (such as learning about different animals and getting books from the PGPL for students to read during the unit). I also think remembering that I could bring a class to get library cards would be great. Sometimes the public library can get forgotten about, but everyone can use it for different things and bringing students in allows them to learn and take it home to their families.

I really loved our trip to the library. I did not really think that as a teacher I could use the library in any of the ways talked about. I assumed that the school library would be the only library teachers could or would take books from for their classrooms, but being able to use the public library for digital and book resources means there is more I can bring to my classroom and another place I can look for resources that I might not be able to find in other places, or where there is more ease of access to get resources.