Library
The library, with its separate Elementary and Secondary areas, is the heart of intellectual life at Pilgrim School. The library has a robust catalog to keep students excited about whatever interests them. Complimenting our collection is our library’s inviting atmosphere. Students are encouraged to use the library before school, at lunch, during recess and break times, and after school.
Developing Young Learners
The Elementary Library is a place of magic, excitement, and curiosity, with engagement starting in our Early Education program. Consistent, weekly visits ensure the library is integrated into daily student life through story times, reading challenges, and book clubs.
Our librarian serves as the central resource, working individually with students to support their assignments, homework, and recreational reading. Library staff also assist teachers with classroom book selection, and their expertise becomes crucial as students transition to the more intensive research assignments in the Secondary program.
Unending Possibilities
Our collection offers over 15,000 book titles (including an extensive collection of multicultural novels) supplemented by periodicals and audio-visual collection. We also offer an extensive reference collection housed in closed stacks upon request to both faculty and students. And if these weren’t enough options for students, we host a yearly book fair to further deepen students’ love for reading.
Meet our Librarian, Michael Joplin
Michael Joplin is so passionate about the work he does at Pilgrim School. Whether he's reading books (in silly voices) , playing with the primary school on the field, or helping our students find that "just right" book, Mr. Michael can always be found in the library, with the lamps on and the door open.
“Libraries have always been a big part of my life as an artist, an actor, and an educator. I'm honored to be the elementary librarian at Pilgrim School. Storytelling is part of who I am, whether acting on the stage, doing improv comedy, or teaching kids to write their own plays and short films. I believe my job is to provide a space for children to explore and express themselves, and I can think of no better way than being the caretaker of such a beautiful collection of books. I'm thrilled to show them classic short stories, chapter books, poetry, biographies, and to help them explore any topic of interest. In this day and age, technology is a given if not an inevitability, and providing our students with time to read and explore books in the safety and comfort of our cozy library is, I believe, its own kind of magic.”
-Michael Joplin
All of our Early Ed and Elementary students have one period of designated library time in their 8-day rotation, but students can (and do) visit the Library on any of their lunch or recess breaks. Starting in Kindergarten, students can take out books with their very own Library card and we love to see them learn how to responsibly care for their books and practice returning them when they're finished.
California K-12 Digital Resources
Online content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Gale, and TeachingBooks are available — at school, at home, in libraries, on laptops, on phones — to all.These digital resources are provided for all California students from the California State Library..
Encyclopaedia Britannica (PreK-12)
A comprehensive interactive resource for research and learning for grades K-12. Includes correlations to California Content Standards and other valuable teacher resources. Post links directly to each school level, elementary, middle or high.
TeachingBooks (PreK-12)
One stop provides resources for books you are reading and teaching, including author and illustrator interviews, lesson plans, and other enrichment content.
Gale (Grades K-12)
One stop provides resources for books you are reading and teaching, including author and illustrator interviews, lesson plans, and other enrichment content.
