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Longfellow Elementary School

Educating Today for a Better Tomorrow!

Library

Welcome to the Longfellow Library!

Our Longfellow Library is a welcoming space where students explore a wide variety of book genres and develop a lifelong love of reading. Students enjoy browsing and checking out books that match their interests while discovering new authors and topics. Special experiences like author visits and exciting book fairs help bring stories to life and inspire young readers. In addition to reading, our library offers hands-on STEM activities that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and a love of learning.

 

A teacher reads to a group of children seated on mats in a library.

Meet your librarian A woman with brown hair smiles warmly at the camera.

 

Bethany Hoekema has been the librarian at Longfellow Elementary since 2023, where she loves to share stories and help students find the joy of reading.  She strives to meet readers at all levels, supporting each child as they grow in confidence and skill.  In the library, we explore a wide variety of books while also bringing learning to life through hands-on STEM activities.  With a college degree in biology, she enjoys connecting science and literacy in meaningful, hands-on ways. Bethany’s goal is to spark curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning in every student who walks through our doors. 

When not found in the library helping students find their next favorite book, she can often be found spending time with her family, biking, hiking, or in the garden. Bethany is married and a proud parent to three children, with her oldest grown and married.  As her own children grow older, she especially treasures the opportunity to work with younger students at school—nurturing their curiosity, encouraging their love of reading, and watching them grow over the years.

 

Mission

Our mission in the Longfellow library is to nurture a love of reading and learning in every student. We strive to meet readers at all levels, helping each child grow in confidence, curiosity, and skill. Through engaging stories and hands-on STEM experiences, we create a welcoming space where students can explore, imagine, and discover. Our goal is to inspire lifelong learners who think creatively and embrace new ideas.

 


 

A young girl with curly hair focuses intently on writing in her notebook at a classroom desk.

Our Vision

Every student a reader; every learner an explorer. We envision a district where every student builds a unique reading identity and possesses the critical thinking skills to navigate a changing world with confidence and curiosity.

A young Black boy in a wheelchair smiles while writing at a desk in a classroom.

Our Mission

The Library Services program provides an adaptive "in-between" space where students connect classroom learning to personal passion. We foster a lifelong love of literacy and provide a safe, supportive environment for students to explore, fail, try again, and grow.

A diverse group of smiling young women stand in a line, wearing backpacks.

Our Values

Belonging: We are a sanctuary for all students, reflecting their interests and welcoming their authentic selves. Agency: we empower students to take ownership of their learning and develop their own voice. Agility: We adapt our programs and spaces to meet the evolving needs of our schools and community. Integration: We bridge the gaps between content areas, making learning cohesive and relevant.

A young woman wearing a hijab and a light-colored coat holds a stack of books, smiling at the camera.

Our Commitments

We serve the Boise School District community through four pillars of excellence: Knowledgeable Professionals: Expert guidance from certified staff who lead with empathy and expertise. Accessible Spaces: Flexible, modern environments designed for both quiet reflection and active collaboration. Vibrant Collections: Curated, relevant materials that act as both mirrors to our students' lives and windows to the world. Inclusive Programming: Engaging activities that celebrate student interests and spark a community-wide joy for reading.

BSD Libraries At A Glance

 

88

IBOB teams read 16 books and competed against teams across the state.

208

virtual and in-person author visits connected students and their favorite writers

461,930

library books checked out this year--that's almost 20 per student!

3,801

hours students and teachers read or listened to books on Sora

10,412

new books were added to libraries last year

187,610

research sessions across all databases this year

1447

research and information literacy lessons delivered in libraries this year

19

books per student on average

District Library Policies

Several Board-adpoted policies inform how materials are added and removed from library collections. The links below point to the most current versions of these documents within the Board of Trustees Policy Manual.

Programs & Partnerships