Engaging First-Year Students at SU Libraries

ABBY KASOWITZ-SCHEER

FANTASIA THORNE-ORTIZ

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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.

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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.

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Photo Activity» Used for SummerStart,

First-Year Forum» Session:

Brief intro to Libraries Split into groups for

activity Wrap up to discuss

answers

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Example from Photo Activity

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SummerStart Library Game Night» Research Challenge

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SummerStart Research Challenge

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Wits and Wagers» Used with Posse

Students» Designed own questions

to introduce students to SU and Libraries

» Played in teams» Answers must be

numbers

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Wits and Wagers Boards and Meeples

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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 2012-

2013?

» Not-as-Useful Interesting Library Trivia How many items were borrowed from the Libraries from

June 2011-June 2012?

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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 2012-

2013? 126

» Not-as-Useful Interesting Library Trivia How many items were borrowed from the Libraries from

June 2011-June 2012? 183,294

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Feedback» SummerStart Student e-mail:“…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!”

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Contact Information» Abby Kasowitz-Scheer (askasowi@syr.edu)» Fantasia Thorne-Ortiz (fathorne@syr.edu)