Library

The G-P High School and Middle School Library mission is to support the curriculum for both our students and staff, to provide a welcoming environment, and to promote learning and the love of reading. We offer a variety of resources including books, magazines, databases, and computer access to help provide the information our students need. My goal for our school library is to be the welcoming heart of our school where all come to learn, discover, create, and connect.

Welcome to our GPHS/GPMS Library Calendar page.  Here you can view our calendar and submit a request to book our library for your class, club meetings, etc..  All you have to do is fill out the form below!  

Destiny is what we use for our library catalog. A library catalog is a listing of all of the materials available in the library. Click the Destiny red link to access our online library catalog.

GPHS Destiny

GPMS Destiny

Destiny Discover allows you to remotely access your school's library catalog from home or other locations.  From here you can access eBooks and audiobooks to check out and read.  To get started follow these directions:

* Destiny Discover

* Scroll down to eBooks

* Click on see all

Once you are here you will have access to your school's eLibrary.  Remotely from home you can access eBooks and audio books.  You will notice on the left-hand side of each eBook there is a little triangle that tells you if the books are in, out, or have unlimited access.  The little blue symbol that looks like an 8 on its side means that the book has unlimited multi-user checkout access.  

Please note that you can also search at the top to find texts of specific titles and genres.  Also, notice that there is a log in option here (top right-hand side).  Although you can see the text available you will not be able to read anything until you have logged in.  You will use the same username and password you use to log onto a school computer.  If you are a teacher and would like to access these texts please contact me for information on how you can log in.  

Happy Reading!! 

I am so excited that our District has announced that GP is providing FREE digital library books and materials for ALL currently enrolled students via "Sora" Online Library.  Our district has joined Overdrive's Region 2 Consortium. Overdrive is a company that provides digital library services (i.e., eBooks and digital audiobooks for patrons to check out). Sora is their app for school libraries. There is a link to Sora on Clever.

There are many benefits to using Sora Digital Library. Students have 24/7 access to digital content all year long, including summers. There are no overdue books, books are returned automatically after 2 weeks. Sora is easy to use on a variety of platforms: app, Kindle, online, etc...

Read below to get started with Sora!

With Sora, you can borrow free ebooks and audiobooks from your school.

1. Install the Sora (by Overdrive) app on your personal device or go to https://soraapp.com/library/texasr2tx

2. In Sora, find Gregory-Portland ISD. Our district is part of the Texas Region 2 Area Schools group. Then sign in with you school username/email address and password/ID#. Under the menu options, you can also link to the public library with your public library card and PIN number.

3. Browse the Explore tab and borrow a book or audio. Your book will open so you can start reading or listening right away.

4. Close the book and go to your Shelf to see all your books (including books assigned by teachers). From there you can:

* Tap Open Book or Open Audiobook to read or listen to the book.

* Tap Options to renew or return the book, get to your notes and highlights, and more.

TexQuest- TexQuest is a statewide digital resources program that provides anytime, anywhere access to high quality, authoritative digital resources to all educators, students, and students' immediate families in Texas K-12 public schools and open enrollment charter schools.  If you need passwords to any of the TexQuest resouces please contact me at mcostilla@g-pisd.org.  

EBSCO LearningExpress Library is part of our TexQuest resources.  The LearningExpress Library is a highly acclaimed eLearning solutions suite that provides interactive tutorials, practice tests, eBooks, flashcards, articles for academic skill building, and standardized test preparation for PSAT, SAT, AP, ASVAB, TSI, and more!

Follow the directions below to gain access to EBSCO LearningExpress Library:

1. LearningExpress Library (click on the red link)

2. Enter your District Name- Gregory Portland ISD

3. Enter Password- See Ms. Costilla or your teacher for the password.

4. Register

You will have to register by creating a personal account in order to save your work in progress, store score reports, and revisit any practice tests, tutorials, or eBooks.  Registration only requires a valid email address and password.  Your email address will become your username and will be used for password reset if needed.  

Communication

Goblin Tools (Formalizer)- Ensure you keep all of your communication professional.  Great for emails!

Claude.ai- Similar to Chat GPT. Craft prompt to generate in-depth questions Side-by-side comparison (blogpost)

Adobe Firefly- Describe the image you want to create and use if for your presentations, infographics, ELL supports, etc.

Canva Magic Design- Describe the visual you want to create and let Canva get you started.  Activate educator account.

Parlay- Use the Parlay Genie feature to engage in deeper discussions with your students.  Blogpost

PowerPoint Speaker Coach- Get feedback on your presentations.  Analyzes key qualities of effective communication.  

Personalization and Differentiation

Immersive Reader- Dyslexic and EB students can use the AI powered features to understand text.  Bonus: listen to your emails.

Speechify- Convert text in a doc, PDF, webpage, or book to speech.  Also works on mobile devices.

Ask Your PDF- A Repository of AI tools.  Be sure to filter the list to show only FREE tools!

Magic School- Check out Math Story Word Problem and Report Card Comments.

Productivity

Seesaw Assessment- Use the AI powered questions assistant to create rigorous assessments.

Canva Magic Write- Assists teachers with writing lesson plans or generating an engaging presentation.  Activate educator account.

Diffit- Instantly create leveled resources from YouTube videos.

AI Educator Tools- A Repository of AI tools.  Be sure to filter the list to show only FREE tools!

SchoolAI- Gives educators the time, data, and tools to design a better, personalized classroom experience.  Free for teachers.  Create. Personalize.

Do you need an ID badge?  Please scan the QR code or click on the red link to fill out an ID card request form.  Your ID badge will be delivered to you as soon as possible.  Thank you!

GPHS Student ID Badge Request Form

We are so excited to have Ozobots in our library!  Ozobots provide students with access to both high quality new media tools and learning opportunities that introduce computational thinking and computer science concepts.  

Ozobots are tiny, programmable robots that drive on lines and use sensors to "see" colors drawn on white paper or a screen using the Ozobot Evo app.  Students create programs that tell the Ozobot what to do when it "sees" certain colors in specific patterns on the lines they draw.  Students use Ozobot's color coding language to make the program.  

Ozobot Video- Click on the link to view an informative video about Ozobots that was recorded and produced by GPTV.  

Stop by the library to check out an Ozobot! 

Do you need to work on a project or conduct research?  If so, the library is a great place to be!  If you need to reserve a spot in the library you may do so on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  The library will have 15 spots available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, spots will be issued to seniors first, juniors, sophomores, then freshmen.  Reservations must be requested 2 days before your reservation date request in order to issue a pre-pass before your advisory class.  

Click on the red link below or scan the QR code to fill out the Form to reserve your spot in the library today!  You will receive an email confirming your reservation and informing you that your Library Advisory Pre-Pass is ready for pick up.  

Things to Remember:

~ Reservations can only be made on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Reservation will not be taken on testing days or any other days the library is reserved for meetings.  

~You must reserve your spot by filling out the Form below 2 days before the reservation request date.  

~You must enter the library with your pre-pass no later than 1:10pm on Advisory days.  

~ Please ensure you take care of any business before entering the library.  Once you have checked in you won't be allowed to leave until the bell rings.  

Library Advisory Reservation Request

Do you need to work on a project or conduct research?  If so, the library is a great place to be!  If you need to reserve a spot in the library you may do so during 6th Period Advisory.  The library will have 15 spots available at this time, spots will be issued to 8th graders first, 7th graders, then 6th graders.  Reservations must be requested 2 days before your reservation date request in order to issue a pre-pass before your advisory class.  

Click on the red link below or scan the QR code to fill out the Form to reserve your spot in the library today!  You will receive an email confirming your reservation and informing you that your Library Advisory Pre-Pass is ready for pick up.  

Things to Remember:

* Reservations can only be made for 6th period Advisory.  Reservations will not be taken on testing days or any other days the library is reserved for meetings.  

* You must reserve your spot by filling out the Form below 2 days before the reservation request date.

* You must enter the library with your pre-pass no later than 1:48pm.

* Please ensure you take care of any business before entering the library.  Once you have checked in, you will not be allowed to leave until the bell rings.  

Library Advisory Reservation Request

Do you need an ID badge?  Please scan the QR code or click on the red link to fill out an ID card request form.  Your ID badge will be delivered to your Advisory class as soon as possible.  Thank you!

ID Badge Request Form 

1. Do I need a library card?

No you do not. You do need to know your ID# in order to check out books.

2. How many books can I check out at once?

You may check out 2 books at one time.

3. How long can I keep my books?

You may keep a book for two weeks. If you are not finished with the book, you may re-check the same book. Simply stop by the library or  send me an email to mcostilla@g-pisd.org indicating that you would like to re-check out your books.

4. What happens if a book gets lost or damaged?

If a book gets lost or damaged, you must pay for it.

5. How much is it to replace my ID card?

If you need to replace your ID card, the cost is $5.00.