When students attend a community college, it is assumed that they know how to use their library system. However, the library is an intimidating place for some college students, therefore, causing them not to use the library’s resources adequately or properly, which could hinder their research papers and projects. Students may have reasons why they feel this way. It could be because they are a returning after years of being out of school or they did not get the proper experience in elementary, middle or high schools.
Instructors can take steps to ensure that all their students get a “training” of the college’s library. Instructors can offer a library scavenger hunt for their students by tailoring to the class needs and purposes. Planning a library scavenger hunt takes time and collaboration among colleagues, as well.
Instructors need to work with library staff. It is important to forewarn staff ahead of time of what is being planned, so they wouldn’t be surprised at the large number of students seeking their assistance. From experience, the library staff has been eagerly working with instructors in familiarizing students of the library.
Before introducing the library scavenger hunt, a tour and presentation of the library should take place. Have a library staff person give a brief presentation of vital information that all students must know. Then the actual tour should occur. After the tour, students should be given class time to begin their scavenger hunt. They should not finish this activity in one day. This activity should last a few hours to one week.
It is important for students to know some logistic details of the library, yet be able to locate books or references related to their assignments. Students need to be able to know when and what days the library is opened and closed, names of some staff members and their titles, etc.
Instructors need to have random questions listed in the scavenger hunt. Questions should cover logistics, types of resources offered, and how to locate books and other published material. If the class is a literature course, offer questions such as “Name three titles that Ernest Hemingway has written.”; “What is the ISBN number for The Great Gatsby?”; or “Who wrote Les Miserables?”
Questions can be formed depending on the nature of the class. Some questions will be simple, and other will be complex. Students will be able to answer some questions quickly, and some will take time to answer completely.
A map of the library should be included as part of the scavenger hunt. This is a map that is numbered, where students must identify that item. This will encourage students to walk and notice the library. Library staff should have copies of maps. Names of locations and items may have to be deleted and replaced with numbers.
Students may groan and moan about this activity because it may seem too much or overwhelming. Offer one or two class sessions to have them work on this project. As they gain confidence, they will be able to finish this on their own. Once the scavenger hunt is completed, students will be able to use the library without any major problems. This is an activity many students will remember, even after they have graduated from college.
