Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Bringing Classes into the Public LibraryA Handbook for Librarians

McFarland & Company, 2007Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-2806-9 Ebook ISBN: 978-0-7864-8285-6Martha Seif Simpson

martha@stratfordlibrary.orgLucretia I. Duwel

lucretia@stratfordlibrary.orgStratford Library Association

www.stratfordlibrary.org

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Mandated by the Board of Education

Line item in the school budget

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Involves a lot of work to organize Causes disruption

of routines Requires

cooperation among staff, schools & busses

Cost involved

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Make a commitment to organize and implement

Convince other staff members, administrations, town officials of the BENEFITS of this program

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Benefits for Students: Get library cards Learn about services Find materials and

programs of interest Vital in areas without school libraries Homework help = better grades Life-long learning

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Benefits for Educators: Learn about services

and materials Demonstration of

databases and other media

Communication Collaboration

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Benefits for the Library: Improved collection development Collaboration Better service and

patron satisfaction Increased stats Good publicity Support for library

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Benefits for the Community: A wise financial

investment Residents of all

backgrounds can use the library

Thriving libraries increase town’s desirability

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

The primary contact’s duties: Schedule class visit dates Get names of teachers and class size Coordinate busses Be your liaisonConnecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Start planning! Which grade or grades to target What you will cover Library cards Book selection

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Scheduling (Part 1): Which day(s) How many classes per day/at a time What time of day How long does

each visit last Compromise!

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Scheduling (Part 2): Staff needed Areas involved Who does what Disruption of schedules Logistics

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Scheduling (Part 3):

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

The pre-visit teacher packet Letter to teacher Library card

applications Parent letters Packets to

principal and media specialist

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

The post-visit teacher packet Resource list Calendars Activity sheets Study guides Surveys Contact info

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual class Visits to the Public Library

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Estimated cost Materials and

postage Staff time for

preparation and during visits, for all departments involved

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Challenges - What could go wrong? Library cards/applications Dealing with people Computer glitches Transportation Building issues

Solutions: Back-up plans Be flexible & creative!

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Appendix Items:Sample SchedulesLetters and FormsActivity SheetsTeaching TipsWeb sitesClass Visit and Assignment Planning

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Give it a try! Best value for your

money Long-lasting

rewards for your library, schools, and community

Worth the effort

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Kindergarten Registration at Stratford Library One central location Info packets Free book Library cards Prize drawing

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

Connecting with Schools from K-12thNELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Bringing Classes into the Public LibraryA Handbook for Librarians

McFarland & Company, 2007Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-2806-9 Ebook ISBN: 978-0-7864-8285-6Martha Seif Simpson

martha@stratfordlibrary.orgLucretia I. Duwel

lucretia@stratfordlibrary.orgStratford Library Association

www.stratfordlibrary.org