Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library

1. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Bringing Classes into the Public LibraryA Handbook for Librarians McFarland & Company, 2007 Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-2806-9 EbookISBN: 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

11. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library 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! Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

12. 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-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Bringing Classes into the Public LibraryA Handbook for Librarians McFarland & Company, 2007 Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-2806-9 EbookISBN: 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