Media Center

The Erik Jonsson Media Center is an extension of the classroom and functions as the school's information center.

With three cozy teaching areas, three fireplaces, low shelves, and stuffed animals, the Media Center is a warm, inviting area where students joyfully search for books and recommend them to one another. The Lamplighter curricula are enriched at the Media Center through a variety of well-organized resources and tools that reflect the diverse needs of the community. There are more than 24,000 items in the collection. These materials are available to all students, parents, faculty, and administration within the school community. Each student is assisted in selecting, evaluating, and using the information appropriately and effectively. (This is often described to the students as a “just-right” book.) The Media Center Coordinator supports students’ love of reading and collaborates with faculty to provide instruction, learning strategies, and practices that use essential learning skills.

Our youngest learners begin by borrowing one book at a time; this limit is raised gradually, until fourth graders can check out five books at a time. If students forget to return their books on Media Center day, they are invited to sit and read a book of their choosing. There is a display of pop-up books for those who haven’t mastered reading alone yet, or for anyone to enjoy.

An annual Book Fair is held in May and a Media Center Open House is held after Thanksgiving, during which parents purchase books in honor of faculty and staff. The Media Center supports the Dooley Author Series, bringing award winning authors and illustrators to campus for students, faculty, and staff.

Dooley Author Series

The Dooley Author Series brings notable and award-winning authors and illustrators to campus for special visits with Lamplighter students and faculty. During the 2024-2025 school year, Lamplighter welcomes award-winning children's author Hena Khan.

Hena Khan has been publishing books for children, including many that center Pakistani American and Muslim characters, for over two decades. She writes award-winning books in a multitude of formats, including picture books, middle grade fiction, pick-your-path adventures, and graphic novels. Her stories are often centered around her culture, community, friendship, and family, and draw from her own experiences. Hena’s bestselling novels include Amina’s Voice and More to the Story. She is also the author of the Zayd Saleem Chasing the Dream, Zara’s Rules, and Super You! series. Hena’s acclaimed picture books include Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, Under My Hijab, and It’s Ramadan, Curious George. She holds an M.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University, has served on the board of We Need Diverse Books, and is a member of the Children’s Book Guild of DC. Hena lives in her hometown of Rockville, Maryland.