LA Public Library Field Trip

Dear parents and students:

Mr. Klipfel’s AP US History classes, along with Mr. Del Rio’s AP English students, will be taking a trip to the LA Public Library on Saturday, August 29.  The purpose of the trip is to acquire sources for the semester’s term paper assignment.  We will be taking the Metrolink and Red Line to the library.  Students are asked to cover the cost of the tickets.  The ticket prices are below.  Students unable to cover the cost should talk to Mr. Klipfel as soon as possible.  He will cover the cost personally if necessary.  Parents are encouraged to join us too.  Please let us know if you can attend (jklipfe@hartdistrict.org).

 

PRIOR TO THE TRIP…

·         If you cannot arrange a ride to the Santa Clarita train station (by the Saugus Speeway), let Mr. DelRio or Mr. Klipfel know ASAP!  Give us several days notice!  We will try to arrange a ride for you.

·         Make sure you have given your signed permission slips to Mr. Klipfel. 

·         Get your library card form filled out and signed by a parent.

·         Use the color map we will give you to put the library floor number next to the call number on your LAPL source list.

 

PRICES:        All weekend Metrolink tickets include access to the Red Line subway—free.

Weekend adult roundtrip: $11.50                      Weekend youth roundtrip: $7.75

* The “New Friends and Family 4-Pack” is $29.00 (This is good for adults and kids: $7.25 per person.), and it can be future dated when purchased in advance.  So, if students (and their parents if attending) would like, pay Mr. Klipfel $7.25 in advance, and he will pre-purchase your ticket.  This will reduce stress the morning of the trip.

 

ON THE DAY OF THE TRIP…

·         Get yourself to the Santa Clarita Metrolink Station by 7:10 AM Saturday morning—EARLIER if you don’t pre-purchase your tickets.  This is the station next to the Saugus Speedway.  Meet at the steps leading up to the train.

·         The train leaves at about 7:38 AM, but we need to take attendance, make announcements, and buy tickets from the machines.  Buying tickets at the machine at the last minute is stressful and at times problematic.

·         STAY WITH US ON THE TRAINS!

·         You will need a ride home from the station when we return.  The return train should arrive around 3:33 PM.

·         BRING:

1.       The application for a library card—SIGNED BY A PARENT.

2.       A photo ID.

3.       An empty backpack or something else to carry your checked out books back in.

4.       Lunch or some money to buy lunch.

5.        Your blank 3” X 5” bibliography cards, your initial research worksheet, your list of 10+ LAPL sources, and a pen and paper.

6.        Your color map of the LAPL.

7.        A book to read or some other homework.  We will be waiting for about an hour for the library to open.

 

TIME LINE and TASKS…

We should get to the library by 9 AM.  It opens at 10:00 AM.  Once we point out our 1:45 PM meeting place and make some announcements, get some school work done and wait for the doors to open.  Then, get right down to business. 

 

You have several tasks.

1.        At some point you need to get your library card.  The line will be shorter at different times.  Don’t join 50 classmates in line when we arrive.  Check the line periodically if you don’t do it when we arrive.  You can get the card when you go to check out your books.  Or, you can get the card and use the self-check out machines or the line when you need to check out the books later.

2.        You need to find as many books as you can from your list.  You don’t need 40, but 4 or 5 is not ideal either.  Try to find 10 to 20.  AVOID “REFERENCE” books if possible since they cannot be checked out.  They have an “R” on the spine.

3.        Sit with your pals and go through the books.  Decide which books might be useful.  Those are the ones you need to check out.  Don’t check out more than you can carry.  Make bibliography cards for the ones that you are not going to check out.  You can do the bibliography cards for the ones you are checking out later.

4.        Eat lunch.  We would like you to stay at the library.  But, there are a few eateries across the street.

5.        Meet us at 1:45 PM right outside the front of the library.  We will take attendance to walk to the Red Line Station.

 

GALE RESOURCE STEPS: go to lapl.org   à   click on “DATABASES”   à   scroll down to/ click on “Literary resource center”

 

Do NOT leave the library area once we arrive.  Also, use some common sense in the library.  It is a big place.  Work at a table with friends.  Hang out with or near a buddy.  And, consider going to the restrooms with a pal as well.  If you do cross the street for lunch, go with a group and get back in time to leave.

 

FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU ARRIVE IN FRONT OF THE LIBRARY AFTER THE GROUP IS GONE:

Find our meeting place in front of the library.  Take a seat and actively look for Mr. Klipfel or Mr. Del Rio.  We may not know your name and face yet, so look for us!!!  If you don’t see us soon, check in with the security guard just inside the library and then go back out in front to our meeting place.  When we find you, we will take you back on a later train.