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