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. 2

Goals » As a result of our programs for first-year students, students will: 1.Become familiar with the Libraries’ buildings and spaces. 2.Identify key services and resources to use for future research activities. 3.Recognize Libraries’ staff as friendly, helpful people. 3

Photo Activity » Used for SummerStart, First-Year Forum » Session:  Brief intro to Libraries  Split into groups for activity  Wrap up to discuss answers 4

Example from Photo Activity 5

SummerStart Library Game Night » Research Challenge 6

SummerStart Research Challenge 7

Wits and Wagers » Used with Posse Students » Designed own questions to introduce students to SU and Libraries » Played in teams » Answers must be numbers 8

Wits and Wagers Boards and Meeples 9

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 ? » Not-as-Useful Interesting Library Trivia  How many items were borrowed from the Libraries from June 2011-June 2012? 10

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 ? 126 » Not-as-Useful Interesting Library Trivia  How many items were borrowed from the Libraries from June 2011-June 2012? 183,294 11

Feedback » SummerStart Student “…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!” 12

Contact Information » Abby Kasowitz-Scheer » Fantasia Thorne-Ortiz 13