Early Childhood Library Orientation

[Randi Levy]

This will be my first year as a school librarian. I will be teaching in a new elementary school serving Pre-Kindergarten through 1st grade (the school will eventually "age up" to 3rd grade). Please share your ideas for Orientation lessons/activities.

[Cheryl Wolf]

I like to emphasize the idea of what you can find in the library; how great the library is, etc.at the beginning of the year -- rather than focusing on rules. Dr. Seuss' I Can Read With My Eyes Shut, and Curious George at the Library are some examples. Then I move into rules, esp. book care. This has to be reinforced over and over again. I have collected damaged books for a show-and-tell of what NOT to do. Kids love it! I also have a Library Contract that goes home to be signed by child and parent. It explains guidelines for borrowing books and taking care of them. One side is illustrated, for pre- and beginning readers to explain to their families. Here is an idea, recently suggested by Judi Freeman: Read Library Lionand ask kids to come up with library rules for different animals. I'd love to hear other people's ideas. Good luck!

[Allison Williams]

I have a "baby" made with a paperback book for its torso with a newborn diaper wrapped around it. The head is a photo of an infant's face. I use this with kindergarteners to discuss "babying" their books. We talk about how to take care of a baby--being gentle, not leaving a baby outside unattended, etc. Baby comes to class for the first month, then she says good-bye after they have demonstrated proper book care.