Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
A Handbook for Librarians
McFarland & Company, 2007
Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-2806-9
Ebook ISBN: 978-0-7864-8285-6
Martha Seif Simpson martha@stratfordlibrary.org
Lucretia I. Duwel lucretia@stratfordlibrary.org
Stratford Library Association www.stratfordlibrary.org
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

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-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
 Involves a lot of work to organize
 Causes disruption of routines
 Requires cooperation among staff, schools & busses
 Cost involved
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
 Make a commitment to organize and implement
 Convince other staff members, administrations, officials of town the BENEFITS of this program
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA 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-12th
NELA 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-12th
NELA 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-12th
NELA 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-12th
NELA 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 liaison
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
 Which grade or grades to target
 What you will cover
 Library cards
 Book selection
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
 Which day(s)
 How many classes per day/at a time
 What time of day
 How long does each visit last
 Compromise!
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
 Staff needed
 Areas involved
 Who does what
 Disruption of schedules
 Logistics
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
 Scheduling (Part 3):
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA 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-12th
NELA 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-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual class
Visits to the Public Library
Estimated cost
 Materials and postage
 Staff time for preparation and during visits, for all departments involved
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
Challenges What could go wrong?
 Library cards/applications
 Dealing with people
 Computer glitches
 Transportation
 Building issues
Solutions:
 Back-up plans
 Be flexible & creative!
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
Appendix Items:
 Sample Schedules
 Letters and Forms
 Activity Sheets
 Teaching Tips
 Web sites
 Class Visit and Assignment Planning
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
Give it a try!
 Best value for your money
 Long-lasting rewards for your library, schools, and community
 Worth the effort
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

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-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

Organizing a Series of Annual Class
Visits to the Public Library
A Handbook for Librarians
McFarland & Company, 2007
Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-2806-9
Ebook ISBN: 978-0-7864-8285-6
Martha Seif Simpson martha@stratfordlibrary.org
Lucretia I. Duwel lucretia@stratfordlibrary.org
Stratford Library Association www.stratfordlibrary.org
Connecting with Schools from K-12th
NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014