Working in a public library in the summer is a whirlwind experience. With Summer Reading Club, special programming, and crowds of children trying to beat the heat, June and July go by in a blink. But when August rolls around, the library starts to settle back into a more predictable routine. Around this time, I would host one of my favorite library programs: A Day in the Life of a Librarian! The purpose of the program was to give young patrons a “behind the curtain” look at the roles and responsibilities of the library staff.
With a new school year just around the corner, I’m sharing a few activity ideas from that program that you can use to welcome new and returning students to your media center. I created this program for elementary students, but the activities can easily be adapted to suit a variety of age ranges. I recommend running these activities in small groups.
Sorting and Shelving
For each small group, assemble a selection of 20-30 titles, keeping the books IN ORDER according to the organization system your media center uses (Dewey, alphabetical by author, etc.). Write out a secret message by taping one letter to each book spine; then, shuffle the titles out of order.
Explain that as materials come and go from the library, staff have the important task of keeping shelves neat and ordered so that students can find what they’re looking for. Discuss how materials are organized in your space. Do you use Dewey for nonfiction? Are fiction titles in alphabetical order, or perhaps sorted by genre? Ask students to reflect on why sorting and shelving materials properly is important. Challenge each group to find the hidden message in their books by sorting materials back into the correct order.
Reference & Readers’ Advisory
Ask students to consider a time when they had a question, but didn’t know where to find the answer. Or maybe you finished a great book, but don’t know what to read next. Libraries contain many resources to connect students to information. Give examples of the tools available in your space to help students find what they need, including the media specialist! Explain how librarians may ask advisory questions to help understand just what a student is looking for.
Give each group a reference challenge from the list below. Instruct that all group members should find a solution to the challenge by:
- Using your school’s MackinVIA or library cataloging tool to find an online resource that matches the request.
- Finding a resource in the library that matches the request.
Have students return to their groups and discuss how they went about finding solutions. Did anyone pick the same resource? What other information would be helpful to know about this request?
Challenges:
- I’m looking for a book about U.S. presidents. I read chapter books, but I also like books with illustrations.
- How do animals talk to each other?
- I need a new book to read. I really liked Dog Man; do you have any more books like that?
- Are there any books for little kids with Spanish and English words? I want to read to my younger sibling.
- Who invented peanut butter?
- Can you help me find a book of folktales for an assignment?
- Why do we yawn?
- What’s the name of the guy who writes the pigeon books?
Books on Display
Introduce the activity by pointing out all the displays currently in your library. Librarians love to share amazing stories, and displays are a fun way to show off reading recommendations! Discuss how book displays are used to highlight high-interest themes, awards, special events, and celebrations throughout the year.
Direct students to work in groups to create a book display. It can be based on something concrete, like fairy tales, or purple book covers, or something more abstract, like “stories to read with your dog.” Each group should select at least 6 books from the library to put in their display.
Add a writing element to this activity with a book recommendation poster and enjoy the silly, earnest, and often hilarious opinions.
Access for All
A librarian’s main duty is to make sure all students have access to reading. Begin this activity by establishing the library as a space for EVERYONE. Talk through any rules and expectations that students should follow while in the library. Take a tour of the space and discuss which aspects help to make the library more accessible; this might include flexible seating, face-out shelving or displays, signage or shelf labels, quiet areas, technology, and sensory tools. Braille, large print, audiobooks, and online materials are also helpful options for those with visual impairments, physical, and/or learning disabilities.
Encourage students to explore the space individually and:
- Create a list of the top 5 things that make this space feel welcoming and accessible, plus 1 thing that you wish to add or change.
- Explore the accessibility features in your school’s digital materials, such as eBooks, read-alongs, and audiobooks.
Regroup and brainstorm more ways to make the library more welcoming and accessible for everyone.
For more library inspiration, check out this post from the Empowered Educators series: Passion and Programming in the Library, by Tyler Sainato.
