1. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014 Bringing Classes into the Public Library A Handbook for Librarians McFarland & Company, 2007 Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-2806-9 Ebook ISBN: 978-0-7864-8285-6 Martha Seif Simpson martha@stratfordlibrary.org Lucretia I. Duwel lucretia@stratfordlibrary.org Stratford Library Association www.stratfordlibrary.org

2. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library  Mandated by the Board of Education  Line item in the school budget Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

3. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014  Involves a lot of work to organize  Causes disruption of routines  Requires cooperation among staff, schools & busses  Cost involved

4. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library  Make a commitment to organize and implement  Convince other staff members, administrations, town officials of the BENEFITS of this program Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

5. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Benefits for Students:  Get library cards  Learn about services  Find materials and programs of interest  Vital in areas without school libraries  Homework help = better grades  Life-long learning Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

6. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Benefits for Educators:  Learn about services and materials  Demonstration of databases and other media  Communication  Collaboration Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

7. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Benefits for the Library:  Improved collection development  Collaboration  Better service and patron satisfaction  Increased stats  Good publicity  Support for library Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

8. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Benefits for the Community:  A wise financial investment  Residents of all backgrounds can use the library  Thriving libraries increase town’s desirability Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

9. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library The primary contact’s duties:  Schedule class visit dates  Get names of teachers and class size  Coordinate busses  Be your liaison Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

10. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Start planning!  Which grade or grades to target  What you will cover  Library cards  Book selection Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

11. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014 Scheduling (Part 1):  Which day(s)  How many classes per day/at a time  What time of day  How long does each visit last  Compromise!

12. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Scheduling (Part 2):  Staff needed  Areas involved  Who does what  Disruption of schedules  Logistics Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

13. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library  Scheduling (Part 3): Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

14. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library The pre-visit teacher packet  Letter to teacher  Library card applications  Parent letters  Packets to principal and media specialist Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

15. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library The post-visit teacher packet  Resource list  Calendars  Activity sheets  Study guides  Surveys  Contact info Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

16. Organizing a Series of Annual class Visits to the Public Library Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014 Estimated cost  Materials and postage  Staff time for preparation and during visits, for all departments involved

17. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014 Challenges - What could go wrong?  Library cards/applications  Dealing with people  Computer glitches  Transportation  Building issues Solutions:  Back-up plans  Be flexible & creative!

18. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Appendix Items:  Sample Schedules  Letters and Forms  Activity Sheets  Teaching Tips  Web sites  Class Visit and Assignment Planning Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

19. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014 Give it a try!  Best value for your money  Long-lasting rewards for your library, schools, and community  Worth the effort

20. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Kindergarten Registration at Stratford Library  One central location  Info packets  Free book  Library cards  Prize drawing Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014

21. Organizing a Series of Annual Class Visits to the Public Library Connecting with Schools from K-12th NELA Annual Conference, October 21, 2014 Bringing Classes into the Public Library A Handbook for Librarians McFarland & Company, 2007 Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-2806-9 Ebook ISBN: 978-0-7864-8285-6 Martha Seif Simpson martha@stratfordlibrary.org Lucretia I. Duwel lucretia@stratfordlibrary.org Stratford Library Association www.stratfordlibrary.org