Library and Media Center

Open Hours

Students have access to the library during their weekly scheduled library time. 

Book check-out information

• Students will check out 1 or 2 books a week depending on grade level.
• Additional books will be permitted for school assignments.
• All books checked out need to be returned before any new books can be checked out.
• Students with late books or fines will not be allowed to continue checking out library books until their materials are returned and their account cleared.

WHAT IF I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT I BORROWED

Students can access their accounts and view their information anywhere through Destiny.  You can view library books borrowed and their due dates online. 

• Instructions to log in and access Destiny account information 

Fines (Damaged and Lost Books)

Fines are collected for lost or damaged books. Replacement books are not accepted in lieu of paying fines. Access to grades, yearbooks and borrowing privileges may be withheld until late books/fines are collected. (Education Code sections 19910-19911 and 48904).

Emails are sent weekly to parents regarding overdue, lost, or damaged books. 

There are no fines for overdue books returned in good condition.

E-Resource weblinks

• Destiny (Select Portola Springs Elementary) View the library catalog and other shortcuts.
• Sora (Libby) (Username: #lastnamefirstname Password: your 9 digit number) E-books and e-audiobooks available to download to ipad, computer and more.
• MackinVia (Click on the green person next to your name at the top, select "change site",  and select Portola Springs Elementary)
• ComicsPlus (Go to MackinVia and click on "Comics/Graphic Novels" from the leftside menu) Unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga.
• Encyclopedia Britannica (Username: portolas Password: irvine) Online access to accurate, age appropriate articles, images, and videos on millions of topics.
• Clever Cloud based service that compiles digital tools for the classroom.
• Canvas Cloud based service that compiles digital tools for the classroom.
• NatGeo Kids Online access to videos, images, books, and magazines from National Geographic. (offsite password: poppy)
• California Department of Education Recommended Reading Lists searchable database of books for children which helps students, teachers, and families find books that entertain, inform, and explore new ideas and experiences.

Videos

We have been creating videos for you. We will be adding to this list as we create and edit more so check back regularly. You will need a IUSD email address to view the videos.

Stories

• A Chip off the Old Block by Jody Jensen Shaffer read by Miss Y
• A Computer Called Katherine by Suzanne Slade read by Ms. Ku
• After the Fall by Dan Santat read by Miss Y.
• Alfie: The Turtle that Disappeared by Thyra Heder read by Miss Y.
• All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold read by Miss Y.
• The Bad Seed by Jory John read by Wesley Boyda
• Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings read by Ms. Ku
• The Cool Bean by Jory John read by Mrs. Trinh
• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson read by Miss Y.
• Earth!: My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty read by Miss Y
• Giraffe Problems by Jory John read by Wesley Boyda
• Hair Love by Matthew Cherry read by Miss Y.
• Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein read by Ms. Ku and Wesley Boyda
• Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise by David Ezra Stein read by Ms Ku
• Kim Chi for Me by Aram Kim read by Ms. Y.
• The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt read by Ms. Ku
• Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp read by Miss Y.
• My Little Golden Book About Abraham Lincoln by Bonnie Bader read by Miss Y.
• My Little Golden Book About George Washington by Lori H. Houran read by Miss Y.
• No Kimchi for Me by Aram Kim read by Miss Y
• Penguin Problems by Jory John read by Wesley Boyda (Ms. Ku's son!)
• Poor Louie by Tony Fucile read by Miss Y.
• Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o read by Ms. Ku
• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter read by Wesley Boyda
• This Way Charlie by Caron Levis read by Miss Y.

How to Videos/Slideshows

• Pigeon is GREAT Pigeon learns how to behave like a GREAT grizzly
• Curious George Borrows a Book Curious George learns how to use a shelf marker
• Keeping Books Cool with Pete the Cat Pete the Cat shows us how books can get damaged.
• Fiction or Non Fiction Song by Shannon McClintock Miller Illustrated by Kathryn Durst Published by Cantata Learning
• How to Research tutorial for 5th and 6th graders
• What is a Call Number how to find a book in the library

I'm bored

Aside from the many books we have available through Overdrive or MackinVia, here are some other things you can do when you're bored. 

• Orange County Public Library Access countless books through their nearest library branch or electronically. All library cards are free. We highly recommend their e-resources including:
  • Overdrive (e-books and e-audiobooks)
  • Hoopla (movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows)
  • Bookflix (video storybooks paired with related nonfiction ebooks from preschool through 3rd grade)
  • California Mission eBooks (electronic copies of California Mission books, no library card required)
• Shelver Practice putting your books in call number order, alphabetical or dewey decimal.

External Videos and Websites (We have done our best to select quality videos, but adults, please preview before sharing.)

• Alphabetize - practice your ABC order skills with this game
• Aquarium of the Pacific Live Online Academy (Pre-K to 6th grade) - Sea life lectures for children.
• Bluey Book Reads - celebrities read Bluey books
• Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Home Safari - Animal and plant life lectures for all ages.
• Circle Round Podcast - Folktales from around the world for children.
• Dr. Seuss Raps Over Dr. Dre Beats - Listen to Dr. Seuss books read to rap beats. Fox in Socks and The Lorax are especially good.
• Draw With Disney Animation - Learn how to draw Disney characters with actual Disney animators.
• Interland - web game about digital citizenship and online safety
• Little Angels Puppet Theater - Puppet shows, stories, and crafts for children.
• Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems - Doodle with Mo Willems, author and illustrator of Elephant and Piggie Books and the Pigeon Books.
• The Oregon Trail Game (1990) - Oregon Trail is an educational game that simulates the hardships of the Oregon Trail, teaching players about history, geography, and decision-making. When you arrive at this website, look for the "Load" buttons, which are marked with file folder icons. First click the “Load” button for Drive 1, then choose “Educational”, and then “Oregon Trail – Disk 1”. You should also load Disk 2 to Drive 2, or else you will need to change to Disk 2 when you get halfway to Oregon.
• Storyline Online - Children's stories read by actors including Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, Kristen Bell, Rita Moreno, Viola Davis, and many more.

California Young Reader Medal

Every year Portola Springs participates in the California Young Reader Medal. We read and share the nominees with our students and they vote on their favorite book. 

Here are the nominees for 2025-2026: 

Booktok Videos (book trailer project)

Fifth and sixth graders create a booktok video each year to promote a book they think other students should read. Fifth and sixth grade tudents vote for their favorite from the finalists. 

2024-2025 Winner Space Case by Austin W.
2024-2025 Runner up Scary Tales by Oliver C.

2024-2025 Finalists 
Alex Rider Stormbreaker by Yowan L.
Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Chloe H.
Gold Rush Girl by Kenzie M.
Greenwild by Brigitte G.
Reptile Room by Aishana K.
The Canyon's Edge by Pragya S.
The Red Pyramid by Evan. H.
 

How Can I help?

We love how supportive our Portola Springs family is. Here are a few ways you can help support the library. 

• Parent Volunteer Information - We love our Grizzly volunteers! If you love books, children, and organizing, please consider volunteering in the library media center. Contact the library for more information.
• Birthday Club - Celebrate your child’s birthday (or half birthday) with a book donation to the Portola Springs Elementary School Library
• Portola Springs Elementary Library Amazon Wishlist - If you would like to support the library directly, you can purchase an item off our Amazon wishlist which will ship directly to the school.
• Book drive - You may also donate gently used books and media (board books, children's books, adult books, dvds, cds) to the library. We will add any books we can, share other books with teachers and staff, and what the school can't use will be sold to purchase additional books for the library. Please bring your books and media to the library anytime we are open. 

Library Lessons

• Book Trailer Preparation pt 1
• Script Writing pt 2 (if you already started this and are coming back to work on it, you need to find your document in Google Drive--if you click this again, you will make a new blank copy)
• Making a Video pt 3
• Kahoot: PS Library Success
• Kahoot: Call Number Practice
• Who were King Tut and William Shakespeare?
• Who were Mahatma Gandhi and Benjamin Franklin?
• Who were Albert Einstein and Joan of Arc?
• Who were Isaac Newton and Amelia Earhart?
• Who were Susan B. Anthony and Frida Kahlo?
• Biography Thesis Statement practice
• Costuming and Cosplay Tips
• The Eleventh Hour PDF (Should work, I scanned it and some pages have a few corners missing but there shouldn't be any clues in those spots. Large file. Should be able to zoom in for details.)
  • Another PDF of The Eleventh Hour (web version)
• Book Club Review Sheet finish five books at your reading level, fill out the form, and get a free book!
• Jeopardy Labs - George Washington
• Jeopardy Labs - Julius Caesar and Rome