Reaching Students at Muskingum College

REACHING STUDENTS AT MUSKINGUM COLLEGENicole Robinson Ryan McLaughlin Reference Librarian Reference Librarian Web Resource Manager

First Year Seminar Orientation:How It Works

At Muskingum, first year students take part in a ‘First Year Seminar.’ Aims to teach students about the resources

of the college, academic skills, and a common text.

One session of library orientation 50 minutes per class 33 classes for Fall 2008

First Year Seminar Orientation:Entering Knowledge

Books vs. Articles ‘Catalog’ Call numbers Evaluating internet resources INFOhio familiarity – Databases

‘Websites’ vs. ‘online journals’

First Year Seminar Orientation:Our Goals

Introduce the library Introduce the librarians Introduce the idea

of resources

First Year Seminar Orientation:Our Program

Themed Display runs for a month Library staff Basic library resources

First Year Seminar Orientation:Our Program

‘Treasure Hunt’ in the library Work in teams of 3-4 to complete

worksheet Collect map pieces Winning team wins a small prize Wrap-up with 20 minute review of

worksheet

First Year Seminar Orientation:Our Program

Use the Catalog tab in the Quick Search Box to find Ramage and the Freebooters.a) Who is the author?b) What is the call number?

Find a current copy of National Geographic shelved on the main floor. a) Is it a popular magazine or scholarly journal?b) What three things helped you decide whether it’s scholarly or

popular?

Use the subject guide link from the library homepage to find a database you might use to research the history of eighteenth-century pirates. a) What subject guide page did you choose?b) What database would you choose? Why?

Bibliographic Instruction:Goals

College preparedness Teaching before finding Responsible use Subject specialization

Bibliographic Instruction:How we schedule

Workshop sessions or faculty request

Repeated collaboration Room/technology

considerations

Bibliographic InstructionMost frequent topics

Types of sources

Library page “orientation”

OPAC searching/book requests

Database search strategies

Plagiarism Evaluating web sites

Citation styles Class-specific resources

Bibliographic InstructionExecution

Time constraints Single vs. multiple sessions Lecture plus exercise Maintaining contact with students

Reference desk IM

E-mailPhone

Web UseSubject and Course Guides

Supplement class work

Not depositories for assignments

Another collaborative effort

DatabasesReference BooksJournalsWeb SitesAdditional Help

Subject Guide link: Psychology

Web UseLibrary wiki

Training new hires/student workers Centralize BI documents Stand in for a library website

Link: Muskingum College Library Wiki

“Freemium” wiki

No cost, except for enhanced

features

Renamed PBWorks

Web UseIM reference

www.meebo.com

Web UseKeeping students connected

Website Facebook pageLink: Library Facebook page Blog/RSS feedLink: Library blog

Go where the patrons are!