Top 10 Tips for a Successful Library Visit
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10. Remind students they can go to the Information Desk and ask for assistance from the librarians. We'll help them track down the information they need without doing their homework for them.
9. Plan ahead. Encourage students to get a library card so they can check out materials and access databases from home or school. You can send this letter to parents home with them to help obtain library cards. Request books on particular subjects ahead of time. It takes 7-10 days for requested books to arrive at the library of your choice. 8. Show students how to use the catalog to find books and other materials. Remind them that they can request materials to be sent to the library of their choice. 7. Explore the TeenLinks or KidLinks website with your students. Both link to lots of great databases and websites for homework, as well as lists of excellent books to read for pleasure or school. 6. Encourage students to bring the written assignment sheet with them to the library. It is a great help for librarians as well as for students who may have a hard time remembering or articulating their information needs. 5. As a teacher, plan ahead and spend a few minutes looking at the library in-house and at the online resources available for your assignments. 4. Update bibliographies and resource lists you hand to students. Collections change at the library. What was available before may no longer be available in the same format. Some reference materials may be available online. 3. Remember library databases include magazine, newspaper, and reference articles online and are as reliable as print books. They may be the only information available at the library, especially for very specific topics. Students who are told to use no online resources may be limited in what they can find. 2. Teach students how to evaluate resources for accuracy, especially websites. Here are student handouts explaining how to evaluate websites and what a database is. 1. Use Teachers' Toolbox to get contact information for setting up free classroom visits and other important information about working with your public library. Thank you for all you do to help students have a successful and productive visit to the public library! |
The Education & Libraries Subject Guide links to education websites and databases such as Professional Collection, a collection of education journals. Subscribe to K-12 Connection, a quarterly email newsletter providing tips on using Library resources. View the current issue and sign up. Refer students to our Homework page for information on free in-person tutoring at 9 Homework Hub locations, and to Homework Rescue for free online tutors 7 days a week from 1 to 11 p.m.
