Preparing for school

[Erika Thickman Miller]

I have been thinking it might be useful to prepare an annotated list of our databases for our teachers, something I can pass out by subject area so that our teachers can have an easy guide to these resources. Has anyone out there provided such a list to their faculty? Do you have other suggestions for tailoring library resources to improve their use by your teachers/students? Thanks! --Erika

[bj neary]

Erika, we don't have an annotated list, but we have the databases and passwords listed on cards and we have them on our wiki divided according to Social Studies, English, Science, etc.

[Jeanette Walter]

I like the card idea I may have to use that! thanks! Jeanette

[Jeanette Walter]

I try to have a welcome back breakfast where I can highlight all the materials and resources the library has to offer teachers and students. I have posters for each subject area that highlight each database and how the teacher might be able to use it. I have handouts they can pick up and sometimes the particular vendors will give me a few freebies to pass out for trivia games and contests. I usually follow up weekly with an email full of helpful hints and ideas on how to use the databases with the link to my website. This will be the third year I have been able to do the breakfast and I have found that this laid back approach makes teachers feel more comfortable coming to ask for help. I also offer Library Tips of the Day before and after school that teachers can earn Act 48 credit for. Last year I was able to draw in more teachers than ever because they were all looking for hours!! Good luck high lighting those databases!!
Jeanette