ACCELERATED READER @ GREATER CANONSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY

Dear Friends:

The Greater Canonsburg Public Library is proud to partner with the Canon-McMillan School District in helping your children read to succeed through the use of the Accelerated Reader Program.

It was the strong commitment to the children of our community by both the school district and the Library that convinced Renaissance Learning to take the unprecedented step of selling their software to GCPL. We were the first public library in the world to offer Accelerated Reader.

In September of 2000, we began the pilot program with First Street School. Since the children’s school days are packed with curriculum requirements, our goal was to make AR testing available evenings, weekends, school holidays and during the summer at the public library. It has succeeded beyond our wildest dreams! Imagine the thrill of having kids lining up to take tests at the Library on school holidays! To date, 4,799 tests have been taken at the Library. Students who pass AR tests at the Library receive credit at school for the points earned, and are also eligible to participate in a program called Accelerated Reading Rewards @ the Library.

The school district has continued to expand the program throughout its schools, and we’ve increased our investment in the program as well, purchasing additional quizzes and student capacity. As it has expanded, we are not without some growing pains. The following information is intended to clarify for you the “ins and outs” of using Accelerated Reader @ the Library, so please read on below:

--Lyn Crouse
Head Librarian, GCPL

Accelerated Reader Answers Frequently Asked Questions:

Does My Child Need a Library Card to Take a Test at the Library?

YES. Your child’s library card number is his or her password into the system at GCPL. Before your child’s first test at the Library, we need to enter him or her into our system. After that, there is no need to sign in to use the dedicated Accelerated Reader terminal.

How Do I Get a Library Card? What Does It Cost?

ALL residents of the Canon-McMillan School District are part of our service area, and entitled to a FREE library card at GCPL. Just bring in something with your current address and apply for a card today. A library card may be the best gift you ever give your child!

How Do I Find an AR Book at GCPL?

We use the color coding system that the school district instituted, so the books are clearly identified with a colored label in the spine. They are also searchable by color code in GCPL’s catalog.

How Can I Find the Right Books for My Child?

Only the school district can administer the Star Reading Test, which determines your child’s reading level. You or your child will be given information about the level of books to read----a color code or a grade point level. If you are not sure how to locate the appropriate books, tell the librarian the color code or other identification method that the school has provided and we will help you find those books.

How Many Tests are Available @ the Library?

We have over 2,600 tests for Grades K through 12.

My Child Got a Book at the School Library. Is the Test for That Book Available at GCPL?

MAYBE. You’ll have to check our catalog to find that out for sure. Each of the Schools and GCPL purchased tests to match to book in their own individual collections. Although there is occasionally some overlap, GCPL does NOT have all the tests that all ten participating schools have. We also have MANY tests that they do NOT have.

Can I Find Out From Home if GCPL Has a Certain AR Book or Test?

YES. Visit the home page of this web site and click on our online catalog. To search by color code, type in AR followed immediately by the color (example: ARRed or ARBlue, etc.) as a keyword search and our catalog will bring up a list of titles for which we have the book and the matching test.

How Does the School Get the Results?

Results are reported in two ways. First, the child gets a print copy of each test, signed by a GCPL employee, to proudly take to the teacher. Second, we compile the results and send them to the individual schools, usually to coincide with grading periods.

--If you have any other questions, please call the Library @ (724) 745-1308. We will be happy to answer them.

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