School Corps > Services & programs > Curriculum Support > Bucket of Books
Bucket of Books
What are Buckets of Books?
Buckets of Books contain 24-30 books on a topic plus a teacher's guide. The teacher's guide includes an annotated list of age-appropriate websites on the topic, a pathfinder for doing research on the topic at Multnomah County Library, and instructions on how to obtain additional copies of the books. Some buckets also contain an Internet scavenger hunt for students. Bucket of Books is supported by the Friends of the Library.
What are the topics?
So far we have created buckets for the following topics/grade levels:
- African American History (5th-8th)
- Ancient China and India (6th-8th)
- Ancient Egypt (6th-8th)
- Ancient Greece and Rome (6th-8th)
- Aztec/Inca/Maya (6th-8th)
- Biomes and Ecosytems (5th-8th)
- Colonial America(5th-6th)
- Communities and Neighborhoods (K-2nd)
- Controversial Topics (8th-12th)
- Environmental Protection (K-3rd)
- Environmental Protection (4th-7th)
- Explorers of the Americas (5th-6th)
- Farms and Farm Animals (K-2nd)
- The Five Senses (K-2nd)
- Food and Nutrition (K-2nd)
- Genetics and DNA (7th-10th)
- Growing Things (1st-3rd)
- Insects and Spiders (K-2nd)
- Lewis and Clark Expedition (4th-7th)
- The Middle Ages and Renaissance (6th-8th)
- Native Americans (4th-5th)
- Oceans and Ocean Life (K-2nd)
- Oregon Trail (4th-5th)
- Pacific Northwest Native Americans (4th-5th)
- The Solar System and Space (4th-5th)
If you would like to see a sample list of the books in any of the buckets, visit the School Corps booklist page. (The lists marked with a * are the ones that are Buckets of Books.) The list might not have exactly the same titles as the bucket, but they will be similar.
How can I get a bucket?
The links in the list above will take you directly into the record for each bucket in the library's catalog. To request the bucket, click on the Place Hold button and follow the instructions on your screen. The bucket will be sent to the Multnomah County Library branch of your choice for you to pick up. If the bucket is not already checked out to someone else, this usually takes four to five days. If all the buckets are checked out, you'll be added to the waiting list for the bucket. Hint: Look for the line that reads "Holds" to see how many people are waiting for the bucket.
What about other topics?
If we don't have a bucket on the topic of your choice, check the School Corps booklist page. There you can find other booklists and instructions on how to collect copies of each book on the list to make your own Bucket of Books. If you can't find your topic on the booklist page, School Corps can create a booklist for you. To request one, visit our Assignment Alert page. This service takes three weeks.
What are the library's policies for Bucket of Books borrowers?
- The buckets are loaned for three weeks. If they are returned late, fines will accrue at the rate of 25 cents per day.
- To keep a bucket longer, call the library's Renewal Line at 503.988.5342 or visit the library's online catalog. If no other patrons are waiting, you can renew the bucket.
- If you have an educator library card, you can check a bucket out for six weeks.
- The borrower is responsible for returning all the contents of the bucket. (Contents are listed in the teacher's guide.) If the bucket is returned with items missing, the borrower will be charged a $10 fee for each missing item. The library will notify the borrower by sending a postcard to his/her address, and the borrower can call to find out which item is missing. If the missing item is returned within 30 days, there is no charge. The cost for replacing the entire bucket of books is $300.
- Since the buckets are too large to fit in the library book drop, they must be returned during open hours.
- If a book is damaged, please do not try to repair it yourself. Notify library staff when you return it.
For more information about the Bucket of Books project, contact the School Corps Lead Worker at 503.988.6004 or lib.school.corps@multcolib.org.