Media Center

Welcome to the Media Center
The staff of the Palos East Media Center are dedicated to providing valuable information and resources to all the students of Palos East from kindergarten through 5th grade and beyond. Our goal is to not only create a welcoming environment that invites students to become better readers but also strives to spark their curiosity and create a love of learning.

This year students will visit the library once a week with their class.  During this time students will check out a book and participate in a media lesson.  Media lessons may focus on digital literacy, fostering a love of reading, developing research skills, and/or reinforcing grade level ELA standards.  

Check out  Destiny Discover!
Palos East now has access to ebooks and digital audiobooks through Destiny Discover. These books can be read online or downloaded on most computers or tablet devices. Students login with their ClassLink username and password.

Mrs. Curran, Media Specialist

Mrs. Curran has been the Media Specialist at Palos East since 2006. Prior joining District 118 she worked for ten years in public and academic libraries. If you need to contact Mrs. Curran, you may send her a message in Seesaw, email her at gcurran@palos118.org or leave her a voice message at 708-448-1084 x3507.

Bluestems
Grades 3-5
The Bluestem is the Illinois' Grade 3-5 Readers' Choice Award. Students who read more than four books will be eligible to vote for their favorite Bluestem title. When students finish a nominee they should report to Mrs. Curran. The program ends in mid-March.

Rebecca Caudills
Grades 4-5
The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an annual award given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students in grades four through eight in participating Illinois schools. The award is named in honor of Rebecca Caudill who lived and wrote in Urbana, Illinois, for nearly 50 years. The students have been challenged to read the books that are appropriate for their grade level. Students who read at least three books will be eligible to vote for their favorite book.  When students finish a book they should report to Mrs. Curran. The program ends in mid-February.

Fourth and fifth grade students who earn both a Bluestem and a Caudill ballot will be invited to our end of the year reading celebration.

Fourth and fifth grade students who read 20 or more Caudill and/or Bluestem titles will receive a medal!

Checking Out Books

Kindergarten students are currently able to check out one book at a time. Students in grades 1-5 can checkout 2 books each week.

Lost or Damaged Books
Students who lose or damage books beyond repair will be charged the replacement cost of the book. Parents may give permission for their children to check out more books while lost books are being looked for by contacting Mrs. Curran. Bills for a lost or damaged books will be sent home upon request or at the end of each trimester.