We are just so happy to have you here! Many of you have used the school libraries in this district, or perhaps, at another school. Our library is a lot like other libraries you may have been to, but it is also different, in that it is more specifically designed to help you find resources to help you get your school work done--and done well, thank you! It can be kind of scary to use the library when you don't know how, though. How can I find what I need, when I need it? Well, that's what we're going to show you.
Here's how...You will be given information regarding the library. You will then work in a group to answer questions and gather information. Based on what your information, your group will give a short, oral presentation on how to find resources in the library. What you learned will then be taught to others. It's that simple! And, let's face it, FUN!
Library Orientation Task (or what FUN we are going to have)
You have received your orientation to the library and now it is time to get started with the scavenger hunt. Your group's scavenger hunt questions are on your table. Please designate one person to keep track of the information you have gathered. Each person must contribute by finding answers--it is a team effort! It is up to your group, through previous knowledge you might have about libraries, through the orientation information, and the online catalog, to answer the questions on the scavenger hunt.
We have about an hour to accomplish all of this and your presentations. Use your time wisely because once you locate all of the answers, you will have to decide how you want to put together your oral presentation on how to use the library and its resources.
How to become a Supreme Library User...
Your group will work as a team to gather the following information. Use the information you have received from the librarian, the handouts, and the computers to find the answers for completing the scavenger hunt webquest.
Step 1 - Information About the Library:
What is the name of the online catalog used by the school?
How long can books be checked out?
What are the librarians names?
Is food and drink allowed in the library?
What time does the library open each school day?
What are the ways the library can help you?
Step 2 - Online Catalog:
What books use numbers to distinguish themselves on the shelf?
Using the online catalog to search for an author--find out how many books the author has written and list two of them.
Use the catalog to search for a subject of your group's choice. Write down three titles of resources on that subject and find them on the shelf using the call numbers. Bring the materials to your table.
In the catalog, find the Lexile level of two books, and bring those books to your table.
How can you tell if a book is an ebook in the catalog? Find an ebook title and write it down.
Step 3 - Library Resources:
Using the books you have brought to your table, write down the author's name, title of the book, published date, and page amount. Do this on all of the books.
The databases we have access to open up a world of information! Please answer the following questions using information from the databases we have available to us:
What is the first section in "First Job Smarts" in the Financial Literacy database?
How many activities are listed in the Introduction section of Italian in the PowerSpeak languages database?
What is the subject of Dr. Jan's Corner in the Teen Health and Wellness database?
What does MARVEL stand for?
List two topics from the Gale's Opposing Viewpoints AND ABC-CLIO's Issues databases (they should be the same topics in each database).
Step 4 - Resource Sharing
After everyone has finished their scavenger hunt, you will work together to develop a short, oral presentation on how to find resources in the library. It would be a presentation that you could use to show your fellow "hunters." The presentation should not be longer than 3-5 minutes and be sure to include some of the information you have located.
