Is It A Library Thing?

Library orientation for new students at Swarthmore

Abbie Weil (she/her), Outreach Librarian

Simon Elichko (they/them), Social Sciences & Data Librarian

How the game works

Clues for "Is it a library thing?"

Nuts and bolts

Schedule

• 24 game sessions
• Held over 3 days at 3 libraries
• 15 facilitators (14 staff, 1 RIA)

Sessions

• 30 minutes long
• 10-15 students + 2 facilitators
• 215 students participated (50% of class)

Sign up

• Most students register through LibCal
• Walk-ins also welcome

Survey

• 3-question LibWizard survey
• Link included in LibCal event follow-up email (for registrants)
• Email link to walk-ins using sign-in sheets

Why?

• We need students to come voluntarily, since there's no required library component of orientation.
   
• Game is a welcoming and fun way to invite students into library spaces
   
• 30 minute sessions are easier to fit into schedules
   
• Learning is part of it, but building a connection is even more important - keeping groups small helps

Changes in 2024

• Added tours of McCabe Library
   
• Invited staff beyond R&I to volunteer as facilitators
   
• Developed a new year-long program aimed at first-year students: 30 Minutes On

What they've learned

We have George Washington's hair here! Also, the Underhill Library has so many cool resources (I love it now).

I learned you can take out drones.

The library has a midnight snack bar, boardgames, and you can basically get books from anywhere delivered.

We have access to digital resources like NYT, Atlantic, WSP

I learned more about the resources available to me at the library and how much help is provided from staff when it comes to finding them

What we've learned

• Adding tours paid off
  • McCabe was busier during and after Orientation
  • Positive response from students about tours
     
• Scheduling is everything
  • Managing facilitators' schedules is challenging
  • In 2025, we'll limit to one event at a time (game or tour)
     
• Promote promote promote
  • Partnership with Student Activities is key
  • Peer-to-peer promotion - present to Orientation Leaders
  • Good swag helps!  (library tote bags)
     
• Keep adapting based on a range of accessibility needs
  • Consider mobility, hearing, and vision (among others)
  • Furniture and space layout, text size, interactivity

Thank you!

Abbie Weil

Research & Instruction Outreach Librarian aweil1@swarthmore.edu
 

Simon Elichko

Social Sciences & Data Librarian

selichk1@swarthmore.edu