First Teaching Day!

1. Why is orientation an important part of the library?
             Orientation is an important part of the library because it teaches students how to properly use the library and what to expect when they visit. Students need to know how to find information on their own before they come and ask for help. Orientation teaches students how to start on research and what to do if they get stuck. Librarians are always available to help but they need to know the basics to do it on their own.

2. How often do you teach orientation?
             I teach orientation the first month of each semester. I only teach it to freshman English classes. It lasts for one class period. In that class period I teach them what they will find in each section of the library and how to use our card catalog. I then show them basic searches for finding information in the card catalog and how changing your wording makes a difference in what you find.

3. Do you think orientation makes a difference in how the students use the library?
              I do think orientation makes a difference in how the students use the library. They come in and they have an idea of where to start. Orientation gives them the confidence that they can actually find the information on their own and not have someone walk them through it. This is important at the high school level.

Reflection:
             Teaching orientation was interesting because I don't remember it from when I was a student. I enjoyed talking to the students and learning how they felt about using the library. I feel like teaching this class was probably the hardest one I did only because I had no idea what to expect since it was the first time I taught in the library. During the course of the day it reenforced the fact that I am definitely in a field that I love.