Portola Springs Elementary
Library and Media Center
- Library Policy Form (Google Form)
- Library Policy Form (PDF Printable Version)
- Parent Volunteer Information
Welcome to Portola Springs Elementary’s Library & Media Center. Our mission is to teach our students the information literacy skills necessary to access and evaluate information, to use it accurately, creatively, and ethically to provide a wide variety of materials to support the curriculum, and to encourage a life-long love of reading.
Thank you,
Library Media Technician
Shirley Ku ShirleyKu@iusd.org
Erin Yarborough ErinYarborough@iusd.org
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.
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 (Overdrive) (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.
Poetry Month
- "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too" from Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein read by Mrs. Trinh
- "Jelly-Fish" by Marianne Moore read by Ms. Ku
Star Wars Day (May the Fourth Be With You)
- Star Wars: A Leader Named Leia read by Ms. Ku
- Star Wars: I am a Jedi read by Ms. Ku
Other 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
- Before She was Harriett by Lesa Cline-Ransome read by Ms. Y.
- 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.
- Drawn Together by Minh Le read by Miss Y.
- Dreamers by Yuyi Morales 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.
- How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace 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.
- Ramadan: Celebrate the World by Hannah Eliot read by Miss Y
- Stella Brings her Family by Miriam B. Schiffer read by Miss Y
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o read by Ms. Ku
- This Way Charlie by Caron Levis read by Miss Y.
Public Domain Books
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter read by Wesley Boyda
How to Videos/Slideshows
- Using a Shelf Marker
- How to Research tutorial for 5th and 6th graders
- How to use Destiny to search for a book (VIDEO NEEDS UPDATING)
- How to Renew Your Books didn't finish your book? Here's how to check it out again
- What is a Call Number how to find a book in the library
- 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
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.
- 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 2023-2024:
| Title and Author | |
| The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry and the Fan Brothers | 24 |
| Someone Builds the Dream by Lisa Wheeler and Loren Long | 19 |
| Negative Cat by Sophie Blackall | 111 |
| The Littlest Yak by Lu Fraser and Kate Findley | 36 |
| Chez Bob by Bob Shea | 204 |
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| Nicky and Vera by Peter Sis | 103 |
| The Elephants Come Home by Kim Tomsic and Hadley Hooper | 37 |
| Bartali's Bicycle by Megan Hoyt and Iacopo Bruno | 45 |
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| We're Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey | 0 |
| A Game of Fox and Squirrels by Jenn Reese | 0 |
| Across the Desert by Dusti Bowling | 0 |
Here are the results for 2022-2023:
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| This Way Charlie by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso | 108 |
| Holes in the Sky by Patricia Polacco | 37 |
| Dinosaur Lady by Linda Skeers and Marta Alvarez Miguens | 58 |
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm | 3 |
| Gold Rush Girl by Avi Also available through IUSD Sora, and OCPL Overdrive | 6 |
| The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling Also available through OCPL Overdrive | 0 |
Here are the results for 2021-2022:
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| Drawn Together by Minh Le and Dan Santat | 244 |
| Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o and Vashti Harrison | 110 |
| All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman | 21 |
| Hair Love by Matthew Cherry and Vashti Harrison | 16 |
| Dreamers by Yuyi Morales | 62 |
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| Before She was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome | 57 |
| The Skydiving Beavers by Susan Wood and Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen | 83 |
| Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson and Frank Morrison | 70 |
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| Wishtree by Katherine Applegate Also available through OCPL Overdrive, and OCPL locations. | 4 |
| The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart Also available through OCPL Overdrive, and OCPL locations. | 8 |
| Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga Also available through IUSD Overdrive, OCPL Overdrive, and OCPL locations. | 4 |
Here are the results for 2020-2021:
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| The Day Your Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael Lopez | 5 |
| Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp | 136 |
| Alfie: The Turtle that Disappeared by Thyra Heder | 10 |
| After the Fall by Dan Santat | 13 |
| Poor Louie by Tony Fucile | 55 |
| Title and Author | |
| Step Right Up by Donna Janell Bowman and Daniel Minter | |
| Six Dots by Jennifer Bryant and Boris Kulikov | |
| Sergeant Reckless by Patricia McCormick and Iacopa Bruno |
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser (Available for request from PS library. ebook from IUSD MackinVia, or OCPL Overdrive) | 0 |
| Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan (Available for request from PS library or ebook from OCPL Overdrive) | 0 |
| ReStart by Gordon Korman (Available for request from PS library, ebook from IUSD Overdrive, or OCPL Overdrive) | 5 |
Here are the results of our 2019-2020 election:
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| Let Me Finish! by Minh Le | 21 |
| Highest Mountain of Books In the World by Rocio Bonilla | 26 |
| The Bad Seed by Jory John | 52 |
| Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings | 118 |
| The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt | 247 |
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| Lillian's Right to Vote by Jonah Winter | 43 |
| Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers | 83 |
| Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai | 129 |
| Title and Author | Number of Votes |
| The Detective's Assistant by Kate Hannigan | 7 |
| The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley | 13 |
| The Loser's Club by Andrew Clements | 29 |
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
- 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!
- Mary Anning Princess of Paleontology - Extra History video
- Jeopardy Labs - George Washington
- Jeopardy Labs - Julius Caesar and Rome