Library Deli of Effortless Access: Guiding the Student to Use All Libraries

Each new wave of ninth graders eagerly explore the amazing delicatessen of new electronics and materials in their high school library. They are rapt to know the grand vision of this new and dazzling library, presumably larger than their middle school's library. One part of their instruction in the earliest part of orientation is the overt suggestion that they use other libraries. Every effort to indoctrinate students in the positive approach to all libraries is a needed, necessary and essential project for the school librarian.

Here are some ideas on how to get the message across that all libraries are connected in purpose. Being able to access various libraries is important, and librarians can use the following suggestion to help students choose from the "deli" of libraries that exist.

• Public Library

  Invite the public librarian to a faculty meeting to introduce all the services that are offered locally and county wide.
  
  

• Academic Libraries

  Call ahead and discuss with a reference librarian the policies of their institution in lending to high school students. Academic libraries are usually willing to share their orientation materials.
  
  

• Tours

  Set up tours of other libraries with teachers accompanying students. It helps to have a specific assignment in advance. Seniors benefit from touring local university libraries.
  
  

• "Question" Strategy

  The nature of the studentUs question may determine that a special library may be able to answer the question with more precision than the school library. A law library can give an answer to a legal question; a medical library can answer a medical question with greater detail than can the school library. Post a list of suggested libraries with addresses, directions and phone numbers. Make a flyer of this information and distribute it to teachers and students.
  
  

• Educate Teachers

  Teachers may not be up to date on all the technical advances of libraries. Provide an in-service training for them. Part of this training can involve assignments in other libraries.
  
  

• Computer-Based Services

  Educate students on the use of computer-based services of the school library as well as public, university, and special libraries. Encourage use by information and demonstration of what is available on terminals in the libraries and through dial-up access from home.
  
  

• Network with other Librarians

  This step involves joining professional organizations and attending conferences to get to know the people that can help students. Use e-mail, the telephone and possibly even a deli lunch with librarians in the area to communicate on a personal level. A quick call to an associate can often give the answer a student needs in impressive time.
  
  

• Interlibrary Loan

  Borrowing items from another school, institution or state is a heady experience for any student. Since students usually ask for things at the last minute, advance planning is the key to effective ILL service.