Library
Inspiring a Love for Learning, Faith, and Discovery from PreK3 to 8th Grade
At Holy Family Catholic School, our library is more than just a collection of books. It's a vibrant, innovative hub where students, families, and the community come together to explore, learn, and grow in faith and knowledge. Our library is a place that fosters a love of learning and the exploration of every subject and topic, connecting with every class, grade, and area of our school. We are a space where a lifelong love of reading and learning takes root.
Our Mission
Our mission in the library is to nurture a love of reading, foster curiosity, and inspire lifelong learning in the light of faith. We strive to create a welcoming space where all students, families, and the community can discover knowledge, deepen understanding, and explore the world through books, storytelling, and research.
Our Core Values
Love for Reading – We believe in the power of books to open hearts and minds.
Global Awareness – Our programs and collections reflect the diversity of the world, helping students become informed and empathetic citizens.
Our Collection
Holy Family Catholic School is served by two distinctly designed library spaces, each tailored to the developmental needs of our students:
St. Scholastica Elementary Library – Serving Pre-K through 5th grade with over 13,500 holdings, our elementary library is a welcoming space filled with picture books, graphic novels, fiction, nonfiction, and faith-focused resources that spark joy and curiosity in our youngest learners. Students explore books in cozy reading corners and inviting seating areas designed to cultivate a love of reading.
St. Benedict Middle School Library – Serving 6th through 8th grade with over 2,300 holdings, our middle school library supports the growing independence and research needs of older students. This space features classic literature, comprehensive nonfiction resources, Catholic faith materials, and offers research classes to our older students—helping students build critical thinking and research skills for the 21st century.
Both libraries feature:
- Fiction & Non-fiction across all subjects
- Picture Books & Graphic Novels
- Catholic Faith Resources
- Classic Literature
- Our collections are designed to inspire, challenge, and nurture readers of all ages and abilities, supporting learning across all subjects and interests.
The Lux Libris Award Program: Illuminating the World Through Stories
At Holy Family Catholic School, we believe in the transformative power of books to open hearts and minds, deepen faith, and connect us to the world around us. That's why we use the Lux Libris Award Program, an innovative digital reading program and Catholic booklist created and run by Dr. Verity Kahn, a former Holy Family Catholic School librarian.
The Lux Libris Award, meaning "Light from Books,” is a booklist specifically curated to meet the needs of Catholic schools and students. Dr. Kahn developed a comprehensive digital platform that celebrates the richness of the human experience while honoring that Catholic identity.
Through our partnership with Lux Libris, students in 4th to 8th grade experience:
- Saint Formation and Learning – Students collect Luxlings™ (saint achievements) as they read, discovering the stories of holy men and women.
- Digital Platform – A mobile-first app that works on phones, tablets, and desktops, with parent dashboards to track progress.
- Curated Excellence – Twenty carefully selected books each year spanning different genres, global perspectives, and faith-focused themes.
- Flexible Engagement – Multiple ways to show comprehension—from quizzes to discussions with our librarian to creative projects.
- Community Building – Students celebrate achievements together as a school community.
Through Lux Libris, we aim to:
- Inspire lifelong reading habits through engaging technology
- Encourage critical conversations about big ideas and meaningful questions
- Nurture Catholic values of love, justice, and service through saint achievements
- Connect students across grades as they share books and recommendations
- Help students explore the world while staying rooted in faith
The Lux Libris Award helps students discover that books are more than just pages: they are lights that guide us toward understanding, compassion, and hope. Learn more about the Lux Libris platform at luxlibris.org
Library Aide Elective: Hands-On Learning & Leadership
Our 8th Grade Library Aide elective offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in library operations, collection development, and community service. Library aides assist with cataloging, shelving, checking out, and reader guidance, developing organizational skills, responsibility, and a deeper love of books and learning. This elective fosters student leadership and a genuine sense of stewardship for our library spaces.
A Place for Research & Discovery
At the Holy Family Catholic School Library, we believe research is more than finding answers—it's about asking the right questions, exploring ideas deeply, and thinking critically. Our middle school library provides students access to curated collections of nonfiction books, reference materials, and primary sources that support classroom learning and personal interests.
We also provide digital tools like ProQuest, helping students build research skills for the 21st century—how to evaluate sources, cite responsibly, and explore topics from multiple perspectives.
Our goal is to nurture independent thinkers, curious learners, and ethical researchers, ready to engage with the world thoughtfully, faithfully, and with purpose.
Parent and Community Involvement
Our parent volunteers help make the library a lively and welcoming space, supporting events, programs, and daily operations. We love seeing parents and families exploring the library together before and after school.
Visit us in the Library—where books, imagination, and faith come alive!
Have questions? Want to learn more about our collections, volunteering, or the Lux Libris program? Contact Apryl Bannister, our Librarian.
ProQuest RESEARCH DATABASE
ProQuest provides students with access to reputable journal, magazine, and newspaper articles for research papers and projects. Primary Search is designed for elementary students, while Middle Search Plus offers age-appropriate resources for middle school students.
Students may access ProQuest from home. Login information is available in ParentsWeb → Resource Documents.
