Tampa Catholic High School

CULTIVATING A LOVE OF READING

The Central Catholic  Library Media Center is one of the newest buildings on campus. Built in 2012, the Library serves Pre-K3 to 5th grade students and 6th to 12th grade students.


A multimedia/audiovisual room, known as The Forum, is located in the rear of the Library Media Center. The Forum is used for viewing educational films, guest speakers, and student presentations.


Pre-K3 to Grade 5

On the elementary level, Library classes include basic research skills, story telling, oral reading, and book selection. Students can use their Library time to take read silently, take Accelerated Reader quizzes, or write a "Book Blurb" (review of a book they've read).


Students in grades 1 through 5 participate in Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader program. The focus of the Accelerated Reader program is to improve reading comprehension skills through consistent, independent reading time which helps develop vocabulary skills. Students are required to earn a minimum amount of points each semester which equates to a grade. 

*Refer to the Pre-K3 to 5 Student/Parent Handbook for the required amount of points students in each grade level must earn.





Grades 6 to 12

On the middle and high school level, the Library is used for research and reading but is on a flexible schedule that allows teachers to schedule the Library to align with projects and lessons. Online research is a key skill that is developed in the middle and upper grades. The Library staff focuses on teaching students how to locate reliable information to use in their writing and reports. Online databases and encyclopedias, as well as print reference sources are used for research on this level


Students in grades 6th through 8th participate in Book Taco. Book Taco is a gamified reading program that promotes independent reading and assesses students on comprehension, vocabulary, literary elements, and writing. Students are required to complete a minimum amount of activities each academic quarter. The students earn a grade in Reading for their Book Taco activities.


A room with tables and chairs and a sign that says ' a ' on it
Children in a library looking at books on shelves
A book titled 800 k good sits on a library shelf

Gospel Values Integrated into Library Media

Scripture tells us that God created the human person in his own image and likeness. The reflection of God's life in us is to be found in our freedom, intellect, and free will. Through these gifts, we are endowed with the ability and responsibility to choose the good and avoid evil. We are charged with the mission of participation in the act of creation by the wise use of the goods of the earth, and called in community with others to build the kingdom of God on this earth. To these ends, it is imperative that we recognize these gifts and fulfill these goals through life-long learning which will enable us to discern the truth in decision-making circumstances, and use respectfully the goods of the earth. If we are to better the life situations for ourselves and the society in which we live, we must not only be educated in the essential teachings of the academic world, but we must become capable of searching for the truth as self-directed learners. The school library provides an environment that allows students to delve more deeply into topics, to be informed on moral and ethical issues, to think critically and to live in an information-rich and changing global world. Students are taught and encouraged to use available information. They are to become proficient in locating and evaluating material that would allow for critical and informed decision making.



The wise use of the gifts of intelligence and free will in the pursuit of study or of a career will enable a person to reach his potential as a human person. Students may experience this in their research projects in the school library. They learn to go beyond what is presented to them and to search for deeper truths and meaning. They experience the challenge of moving into broader horizons and know the goodness of self-directed study and achievement. Providing access to information in a variety of formats, with high standards of excellence in content, scope authority and/or literary value, the library offers students the possibility of fulfilling their call in life as Christians.

Share by: