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Engaging First-Year Students at SU Libraries. Abby Kasowitz-Scheer Fantasia Thorne-Ortiz. Special Programs/Groups. SummerStart Program that enables incoming first-year students to begin taking classes in July and get a head start on their college careers. First Year Forum
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Engaging First-Year Students at SU Libraries Abby Kasowitz-Scheer Fantasia Thorne-Ortiz
Special Programs/Groups • SummerStart • Program that enables incoming first-year students to begin taking classes in July and get a head start on their college careers. • First Year Forum • Small-group, seminar-like class to introduce new students to College of Arts and Sciences, SU and the surrounding communities. • Posse • SU offers scholarships to students recruited and trained through the Posse Foundation, a college access and youth leadership program. Students enroll at SU in groups or “Posses” from home cities (Atlanta, LA, Miami). Librarians assigned to work with students from each city.
Goals • As a result of our programs for first-year students, students will: • Become familiar with the Libraries’ buildings and spaces. • Identify key services and resources to use for future research activities. • Recognize Libraries’ staff as friendly, helpful people.
Photo Activity • Used for SummerStart, First-Year Forum • Session: • Brief intro to Libraries • Split into groups for activity • Wrap up to discuss answers
SummerStart Library Game Night • Research Challenge
Wits and Wagers • Used with Posse Students • Designed own questions to introduce students to SU and Libraries • Played in teams • Answers must be numbers
Wits and Wagers Examples • Useful Library Info: • What is the late fee per day for a digital camera at Bird Library? • For how many days can an undergraduate student borrow a book? • SU Facts and Figures • How many countries did SU students come from in 2012-2013? • Not-as-Useful Interesting Library Trivia • How many items were borrowed from the Libraries from June 2011-June 2012?
Wits and Wagers Examples: Answers • Useful Library Info: • What is the late fee per day for a digital camera at Bird Library? $5 • For how many days can an undergraduate student borrow a book? 28 • SU Facts and Figures • How many countries did SU students come from in 2012-2013? 126 • Not-as-Useful Interesting Library Trivia • How many items were borrowed from the Libraries from June 2011-June 2012? 183,294
Feedback • SummerStart Student e-mail:“…to my surprise, this was the most fun and informative presentation out of all [SummerStart seminar presentations]. It was fun because we played and learned at the same time….Through this game, I also got to know a lot of things about the library.” • Posse Program Coordinator: “Thank you!! Your presentation was so informative and FUN! Very much how Posse rolls! The students loved those [meeples]…Again, thank you for your commitment, enthusiasm, and creativity!”
Contact Information • Abby Kasowitz-Scheer (askasowi@syr.edu) • Fantasia Thorne-Ortiz (fathorne@syr.edu)