Tricia deWinter, Librarian

Happy Friday!

As we head into the holidays, I’m pleased to share that The Oakridge Library has circulated over 3,500 books since the start of the school year!

I am excited to highlight a few library program updates specifically focused on building a culture of reading:

Early Childhood
Each week, Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students visit the Oakridge Library for storytime and to check out books. We are open from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and it is a delight to see families utilizing this space and its resources to foster lifelong reading habits. I look forward to partnering with you to support your child's literacy and learning, and to reinforce their understanding of the library as an essential, lifelong resource.

Lower School
We are building early research skills such as source literacy and website evaluation and enjoying many outstanding read alouds! I am always happy to meet with parents individually to discuss your child’s reading journey and share simple strategies you can use at home to foster a lifelong love of reading.  The Oakridge Library also offers “customized check-out” for all grade levels and the library staff can tailor book recommendations to your child's interests and curriculum needs.  We will gladly create a “bag of books” for your child over the holidays, or any time your family is in need of the perfect reading material.

Middle School
In the Middle School we are prioritizing creativity over consumption, cultivating an awareness of our digital footprint and diet, practicing lateral reading to verify information, identifying appropriate and inappropriate applications of AI and actively working to avoid “brain rot!” 

Deep reading is the best way to combat brain rot. Whether your child is a beginning reader, a bibliophile or in a reading “slump,” the library staff can offer one-on-one guidance in finding the perfect read.

Upper School
Your child has access to our carefully curated digital collection, including news platforms,  e-books, audiobooks, and premium academic databases that support their assignments.  Many of these resources are the same ones Oakridge students will encounter in college. 

 Next month, the library will host a holiday gift wrap station for our upper school students. This event offers students a welcome brain break before final exams, providing a chance to enjoy a snack and wrap presents.

Community Connections
Our annual book fair takes place the week of January 26th and volunteers are needed. Please contact lisa.tyrrell.atx@gmail.com if you are available to help.

Author Jerry Pallotta, a favorite among Oakridge readers, will be here on February 11, 2026 to talk about his Who Would Win nonfiction series.

Are you interested in serving as a  “reading advocate?” The Oakridge Library is hosting community members to talk to Middle School classes about the influence books have had in their personal and professional lives. Please email me if you would like to find out more. This is a 20 minute commitment yet your  impact is invaluable.

I am  deeply grateful for your continued support of our library as we actively work together to promote the joy of lifelong reading and learning!

Wishing you and your family very happy holidays,

Tricia deWinter
pdewinter@oakridgesch.org