Making a First Impression with Students and Staff:

Library Orientation Ideas

Jo-Anne LaForty & Sharon Mills

Library and Learning Resources

TDSB

AGENDA

Who’s here?Thinking about orientationsKey messages and tipsStrategiesServing a diverse populationStaff need orientations too!Final thoughts

Orientations are like . . .

We went to the Library today. It was….

Key Messages

Libraries support your academic success

We are going to help you do better in school This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship We’re available outside classroom hoursWe can fill the gaps and provide you with things

you may not have at homeWe’ve got great resources to support your

learningWe’re current

Libraries provide a location for learning

Class workHomeworkGroup work Respectful & safe

Libraries provide tangible and human resources

Resourcesnewspapersmagazines fictiongraphic novelsnon-fictioncomputer resourcesvideos

Human elementhelp you locate what

you need or might enjoy

displays reading programsactivities

Essential Content

Introduction of all staffPurpose of the libraryHoursAreas of the Library - signageBorrowing proceduresOverdue proceduresOverview of collectionRules =

*expectations * guidelines*

Non-essential Content

Covering all aspects of the collection

MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE TO TEACH THIS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF A

COURSE ASSIGNMENT, ACTIVITY OR PROJECT

Tips for Orientation Day

Make your environment welcoming Signs Displays

More Tips for Orientation Day

Minimize conflict talk to teacher ahead of time and insist

classes arrive as a group with teacher

Meet and greet Begin with the students

find out who they are

Address learning styles especially visual and bodily kinesthetic

Within the first three seconds of a new encounter, you are evaluated… even if it is just a glance.

Within only three seconds, you make an indelible impression. You may intrigue some and disenchant others.

Scary Stuff!Michelle Sterling, Global Image Group

Strategy - PowerPoint

introduction or activitywhole class or individualsprovides immediate focus for classhighlights teacher-librarian as a techno-wiz

Avoid: ‘Power Pointless’ or ‘Death by Power Point’

Irene Jitka

Additional Strategies: Activity

Look through your package at the brochures & activities.

Find an idea that you could use @ your library.

More Strategies

Stations -introduce students to different resources and areas

Games - scavenger huntsMap activities - learn layout of libraryWebquests

Webquests

hard to find for secondary currently focus on “skills”

Dewey plagiarism search skills

might be ‘part’ of an orientation or a later library visit

Strategy: Video

technology that is becoming more accessible

permanent recordused for parent nights, staff meetingsinclude student testimonialsvisualstudent involvement

Tip for techno-wizs: embed in PowerPoint

ESL and Special NeedsIdentify special needs of these classesTake nothing for grantedGreater need to address multiple learning

stylesSignage takes on greater importanceESL - vocabulary acquisitionSpecial Needs - inclusiveness

ESL

Staff Orientations

new teacherspre-service teachersstaff meetingsdepartment meetings

‘Nouveau’ teachers

Make connectionsShowcase collectionOverview of library programOutline how we can help through teaching

research processProvide sample assignmentsProvide handouts (student research guides,

etc.)

‘Vintage’ teachers

Update on new and exciting resourcesRe-establish connections Re-enforce message “I’m here…use me!”Opportunity for feedback Remind “here’s what I can do for you…here’s

what I need you to do for me”

Strategies

BrochuresHandoutsPowerPointsSocial events: Open House, Books and

Bagels Have flyer and invitation ready for new

arrivals throughout the year

“You only have one chance to make a first impression”

Final Thought