Is It A Library Thing?

Introducing new students to

Swarthmore's Libraries

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, WSJ

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

 Lots of good study spots, aesthetic, and stocked with books.

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