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Dallas Harris Elementary School

Educating Today for a Better Tomorrow!

Library!

Welcome to the Dallas Harris Library!

The Library at Dallas Harris Elementary is the heart of our school, literally! It is a center for learning, reading, play and even STEAM projects. All families are welcome in our library and we encourage everyone to spend time here! You can find all kinds of valuable information here on this site and also at our BSD Library site as well! 

A woman with blonde hair smiles warmly, with bookshelves in the background.

Hi! I’m Mrs. Sutherland! I love being the librarian at Dallas Harris! I graduated from Boise State University in 2001 with a BA in English, Secondary Education. I have worked in various positions in the BSD for 16 years, but serving as Librarian has been my absolute favorite. My family and I have lived in Boise since 1990 and we couldn’t be happier to live in such a wonderful city with such an amazing community. My hope for all of our Yotes is for everyone to feel safe, loved and included no matter where they are. I hope YOU feel welcome in our Library! Come visit me soon! I’m sure I’ll have a good book recommendation for you… 

We do so much more than check outs in our Library. We do art projects, crafts, STEAM experiments, reading challenges and collaborate with BSU’s OnRamp program and Trout Unlimited’s Trout in the Classroom with Idaho Fish and Game. We also participate in an annual residency with Missoula Children’s Theater. Needless to say, our Library is a pretty exciting place! 

Your students will come to the Library at least once a week!  I ask that they bring their checked out books back to the Library each time they visit, but they are welcome to check their books out again. This just helps us keep track of our books and makes it less likely to loose them. If you do find you have lost a book, no worries! Shoot me a message and I’ll be happy help you replace or pay for a new copy. 

Check out all the fun things we do on our Dallas Harris Library Instagram at DallasHarrisReads. 


 

A young girl with curly hair focuses intently on writing in her notebook at a classroom desk.

Our Vision

Every student a reader; every learner an explorer. We envision a district where every student builds a unique reading identity and possesses the critical thinking skills to navigate a changing world with confidence and curiosity.

A young Black boy in a wheelchair smiles while writing at a desk in a classroom.

Our Mission

The Library Services program provides an adaptive "in-between" space where students connect classroom learning to personal passion. We foster a lifelong love of literacy and provide a safe, supportive environment for students to explore, fail, try again, and grow.

A diverse group of smiling young women stand in a line, wearing backpacks.

Our Values

Belonging: We are a sanctuary for all students, reflecting their interests and welcoming their authentic selves. Agency: we empower students to take ownership of their learning and develop their own voice. Agility: We adapt our programs and spaces to meet the evolving needs of our schools and community. Integration: We bridge the gaps between content areas, making learning cohesive and relevant.

A young woman wearing a hijab and a light-colored coat holds a stack of books, smiling at the camera.

Our Commitments

We serve the Boise School District community through four pillars of excellence: Knowledgeable Professionals: Expert guidance from certified staff who lead with empathy and expertise. Accessible Spaces: Flexible, modern environments designed for both quiet reflection and active collaboration. Vibrant Collections: Curated, relevant materials that act as both mirrors to our students' lives and windows to the world. Inclusive Programming: Engaging activities that celebrate student interests and spark a community-wide joy for reading.

BSD Libraries At A Glance

 

88

IBOB teams read 16 books and competed against teams across the state.

208

virtual and in-person author visits connected students and their favorite writers

461,930

library books checked out this year--that's almost 20 per student!

3,801

hours students and teachers read or listened to books on Sora

10,412

new books were added to libraries last year

187,610

research sessions across all databases this year

1447

research and information literacy lessons delivered in libraries this year

19

books per student on average

District Library Policies

Several Board-adpoted policies inform how materials are added and removed from library collections. The links below point to the most current versions of these documents within the Board of Trustees Policy Manual.

Programs & Partnerships