We'll see you in the media center!

We're already nearing the end of our 2nd full week of the 2009-2010 school year! The media center has been bustling with classes of students coming through for their annual media center orientation. All track 1, 2 and 3 sixth graders came through last week. Students learned about media center policies and procedures, research, book clubs, and reading programs. Of course, students' favorite part of orientation is a chance to explore the media center on their own and look for books. The DRMS media staff feel this is the most important part of orientation. Many 6th graders were eager to find out how many books they could check out (which is 3), then quickly selected 3 titles they were interested in. I always chuckle at how new 6th graders gravitate towards the biggest books in the media center (Harry Potter, Eragon, etc.). They look so proud as they carry their armfull of books back to their classroom.

By the end of this week, all track 1, 2, and 3 seventh graders and most eighth graders will have attended their orientation. These students enjoy a self-guided tour through seven orientation stations where they refresh on media policies and complete a handout. This year, all seventh and eighth graders are completing an online media survey containing questions about their past media center use, books they're interested in the media center purchasing, changes they'd like to see made in the media program, etc. The library media staff has already started analyzing results (remember . . . we love data!) and are excited to implement some new ideas and programs to address these issues.

Orientation has been a great success this year. We look forward to seeing all of you in the media center!

-Ms. Z