Riverside Elementary Media Center
2024-2025
Welcome!
The media center is more than a place for students to check out books. It is the hub of the school, a place for lessons and collaboration, and a place where curiosity meets resources!
Media Center Staff
Kristin Bartholomew, Media Specialist
I have been at Riverside both as a teacher and as a media specialist. Being the daughter of a military father, we moved everywhere and often. I followed my mother into the field of education and have loved it! I look forward to helping your child grow in their love of reading, to match them with great books, and to capitalize on their curiosity. I also look forward to working with Ms. Carpenter as co-media specialists! She is amazing! Please reach out if you need any support. We are all on the same team!
Beth Carpenter, Media Specialist
Many of my family members were educators: my dad, stepmom, aunt, grandma, and grandpa. I am so lucky to have been part of this legacy, and to have found a career that I love! I taught for 10 years at Hopkins Elementary in Lilburn, then in 1988 earned my Masters in Library Media and Technology. I was the media specialist at Fort Daniel Elementary for 25 years and now I'm excited to join Ms. Bartholomew as part of the Riverside Media Program. I am a passionate advocate for reading and informational literacy, and along with my love of children, am in the best place in a school - the library!
Laura Gutierrez, Media Clerk
I was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and I grew up in a traditional Mexican family. I got my bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and worked for almost 10 years in this role. I moved to Suwanee in early 2000. My husband and I have been in this area since then, and we really love it. I have 3 kids. My oldest goes to UGA, my middle goes to Georgia College & State University, and my youngest is in 8th grade, at North Gwinnett Middle School
Several years ago, I began to substitute teach for Gwinnett County Schools, and four years ago I got the opportunity to be the Media Clerk. I love working in the library!
Mission Statement
The mission of Riverside Elementary School's Media Center is to empower students to collaborate as inquisitive learners where students not only learn and share content but where content is applied and connected to previous learning in critical and creative ways.
Beanstack
Creating a Tandem Beanstack Account (RES and Gwinnett Library)
Click below and you'll find the easy steps to connect your child's account to the public library.
Readers Rally, Lunch Bunch, and GCPL
Readers Rally
Readers Rally is a club for 4th and 5th graders who love to read. It runs from September through February and culminates with a competition against other schools to see who knows their books the best. The student application process will be announced several times in August on the morning announcements. There is no cost to join the club.
Lunch Bunch
Our Lunch Bunch is an opportunity for 2nd-5th graders to be in a book club for one month of the year. The students read their book and then join a volunteer in a classroom during their lunch to discuss the book. Information will be emailed to parents about a month prior to the start of the group.
November- 4th Grade
January- 5th Grade
March- 3rd Grade
April- 2nd Grade
GCPL
The Suwanee Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library comes monthly to read to our kindergarten and first grade students. They also come twice a year for Sensory Story Time.
Procedures and FAQ
Q- How many books can my child check out?
A- Students may check out 2 physical books and one eBook at a time. Only one of the physical books can be a graphic novel.
Q- How long may my child keep their book?
A- Students can keep their books for two weeks. However, they can turn the books in before the two-week period is over.
Q- How can I determine what my child has checked out?
A- There are several ways to see what resources your child has checked out. Click on either the Student Page or Parent page tab and you will see a video link on how to see what your child has currently checked out. You can also look on the Parent Vue to find this information.
Q- Can my child renew their book?
A- Yes! They may bring their book in and we will renew it for another cycle.
Q- How much does it cost to replace a lost or damaged book?
A- It is $15.00 to replace the book. We buy our books from special library vendors and not off of Amazon. This ensures the books last longer.
Q- How do I pay for a lost or damaged book?
A- You can pay with exact cash or write a check to Riverside Elementary. You can also pay through MyPaymentPlus. If the book is found (in good condition) after a fee is paid during the school year that a fine was paid, you will get a refund.
Q- When are books considered lost and a fee assigned to my child's account?
A- After 30 days of being overdue, they are officially considered lost and a fine placed on the account. The good news is that if you find the book (in good condition) after the fee is assigned, you can still return the book and the fee will be dropped.
Q- How can I help my child avoid paying a fine?
A- Check the Parent Portal frequently to see the books your child has checked out. The date that the books were checked out will be listed so you can see if the items are overdue. Also, please encourage your child to not eat or drink with their book. Many damaged books are the result of water damage and pets. We would also suggest keeping the books in 3 places when they are not being read: their desk at school, their bookbag, or the place where they do their homework in your house. After reading and when their book leaves their hands, it should go in one of those three places. This will ensure they know where there books are located.
Q- Do you accept donations?
We do accept books in good condition and that seems appropriate for elementary school, but please be aware that the books may or may not be able to be used. Please contact the media center before bringing in any donations. There are times in the year when we will not accept books.