Program

Library

The libraries at Spence are at the center of the school community, providing opportunities for reading and research, whether it’s in support of classroom work or simply to explore a particular area of interest. Each library offers a comfortable, stimulating and supportive learning environment. Surrounded by books and other resources, students gain an appreciation of reading and researching as sources of both pleasure and personal growth.
 
Literature is explored throughout all grades with read-alouds, displays and book discussions. In addition, librarians guide students in choosing pleasure reading and prepare extensive age-appropriate reading lists. By learning to locate and use information as well as developing a love of reading, Spence students become lifelong learners.
 
Directed by the Spence motto, “Not for School but for life we learn,” students master increasingly sophisticated research skills in a rapidly evolving world. Through their work in the library, students use the full scope of Spence resources available, gaining confidence to conduct successful research well into the future.

Lower School

The Lower School program provides students with opportunities to learn how to locate, evaluate and use information in printed and computer-based resources; develop critical thinking skills; and deepen their learning in content areas across the curriculum. Kindergartners begin weekly library classes and continue with every grade to become more independent, confident and effective researchers. Learning activities are integrated into the curriculum to help students develop strategies to access, identify, evaluate and use information in all content areas. Part of each library class is devoted to helping students choose books to read for personal enrichment.
 
A collection of more than 12,500 volumes contains books, audio books, CDs, videos and DVDs. The library subscribes to age-appropriate periodicals and offers access to hundreds more full-text articles through online databases. A search in our Library Catalog also retrieves subject-specific educational websites, in addition to books and other materials available in the library.
 
Whether students are in the library or at home, they can access our: Library Catalog as well as Online Resources, such as the Encyclopedia Britannica Elementary, World Book Encyclopedia for Kids, Kids Search and eLibrary Elementary, and recommended websites including New York Public Library, Library of Congress for Families, NASA and the National Gallery of Art for Kids.

Lower School Library Faculty

List of 2 members.

  • Maureen DiPaola 

    Lower School Librarian
    Fordham University - B.A.
    The Palmer School of Library and Information Science, LIU - M.S.
    Teachers College, Columbia University - M.A.

  • Maria Hiciano 

    Lower School Library Assistant
    New York University, Institute for Paralegal Studies - Dplm.
    Queensborough Community College - A.A.

Middle and Upper School

The Middle and Upper School Library provides an environment that nurtures learning and develops the strong and focused research skills necessary for navigating today’s vast and rich information world. The library is committed to ensuring that all Spence students become fluent, sophisticated and proficient information users. In the course of completing research projects for their classes, all students will learn how to form focused research questions, identify and search appropriate resources, critically evaluate information and cite sources. The library also provides age-appropriate fiction collections to foster a lifelong love of reading.
 
The Resource Board on Spence’s website serves as a tool for students to access our collection of online and print resources both at home and at school. These include the Library Catalog as well as Online Resources, such as American Periodicals Series, AP Images, ARTstor, Columbia Granger’s World of Poetry, Education Week, Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition, Gale Diversity Studies Collection, Gale Gender Studies Collection, Government Reporter, GREENR, Historical Newspapers, History Study Center, JSTOR, Modern World History Online, New York Times, Oxford English Dictionary, Proquest, Questia, Renaissance, Science in Context, Scientific American, Social Issues Research Service, U.S. Government Online, Universalis, Wall Street Journal, World Almanac and World Book Encyclopedia.
 
Students can borrow laptops from the library to complete research assignments and homework. Additionally, students can Ask a Librarian for answers to any questions or sign up for an individual research consultation with one of our librarians. Working on a project? The Scholar’s Corner contains guides for collecting and citing sources for projects. Our Guidelines and Policies also provide more details for students. The Library staff helps students learn to use a wide range of resources, guide the girls in their work on research projects and help them find great books to read.

Middle and Upper School Library Faculty

List of 2 members.

  • Suzanne Crow 

    Director of Library and Information Services and Grade 8 Dean
    Kenyon College - B.A.
    George Washington University - M.A.
    University of Michigan - M.S.

  • Meagan Kane 

    Upper School Librarian
    Wesleyan University - B.A.
    Simmons College - M.A.

PROGRAM section

Library Hours

Lower School:
Monday-Friday, 8 AM-4 PM
After dismissal, students must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver.
Middle and Upper School:
Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM

Middle & Upper School

22 East 91st Street 
New York, NY 10128

Lower School

56 East 93rd Street 
New York, NY 10128
212-289-5940
The Spence School, a private all-girls school located on the Upper East Side of New York City, offers a rigorous liberal arts study for diverse students in Grades K-12.

© Spence School 2017