Students will explore the library media center, and then create a map consisting of neighborhoods and street names to depict the location of materials such as picture books, reference, fiction, nonfiction, etc. Students will then use their maps to locate a specific resource by call number and title. This lesson is designed to help students increase confidence in their research abilities by learning how to locate specific resources in the library and how they may be used.

CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES:
Social Studies: The student will create a map of the library media center, by using either paper, rulers, and colored pencils or a software drawing program on the computer.
Technology: The student will use computer software to create signs for their library.

MOTIVATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
The student will:
-become interested in the research process.
-understand the importance of information skills.
-experience increased confidence in research ability.
-achieve satisfaction in research accomplishments.

Resource List
Sample Map

 

Credits:

Laurie (Mench) D'Amato Adapted for SOS by Kori Gerbig School of Information Studies Syracuse University

Sources:

School Library Media Activities Monthly September 2003; 20:1; 18-19 http://www.schoollibrarymedia.com

 

INSTRUCTIONAL ROLES:
-This activity is a collaborative effort with the library media specialist, social studies teacher, and classroom or technology teacher. The library media specialist lays the groundwork for the lesson and activities, while the social studies and classroom or technology teachers complete the program.
-This activity requires several class periods. Locating books from provided call numbers is the culminating activity after the signs and maps are complete and in place.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR COMPLETION:
-The library media specialist introduces the concept of thinking of a library as a “city.” There are neighborhoods (picture books, nonfiction, reference, etc.) and street addresses (call numbers). Signs need to be created for the neighborhoods and streets (shelving units). Students browse the library media center collection, paying close attention to the different sections. Browsing will enable students to identify the particular neighborhoods within their library media center and to develop street names to assist them in creating their maps (and ultimately to help them locate books). Sample street names, based on the contents of the aisle may include History Lane, Biography Boulevard, Art Avenue, etc.

-After the students have browsed the collection, the group meets to brainstorm a list of neighborhoods. This allows the library media specialist to be sure all sections of the library media center are included on the map. The library media specialist or classroom teacher may assign students to work in pairs to use the computer to create signs for the neighborhoods and the street names.

-After the signs have been created, printed, and put in place, the students again browse the library media center, this time to create a map of the space. Students work in pairs to create a map that shows the pieces of furniture, shelving units, circulation desk, and other features of the library media center. The map should be as complete and accurate as possible; it must include the neighborhood names and street names. Students may create their final map by using paper supplies or on the computer using the drawing tools in *Appleworks or *Microsoft Word. Mount the maps on tagboard and laminate in order to make them available to students.

FOLLOW-UP:
-Observe students as they attempt to locate books of personal interest-do they use the maps or read the signs? Are they more confident while searching the collection?

-Students may write a paragraph describing the map-making process.

-Students may continue to extend the “library as city” analogy. For example – identifying seating areas as parks, the OPAC as a phone book, and the workroom as a hospital. Of course, the circulation desk is downtown and the library media center is the mayor.

-Each student receives a card containing a call number, book title, and author and locates the book in the library media center by using the newly created maps and signage.

School Library Media Activities Monthly
September 2003; 20:1; 18-19
http://www.schoollibrarymedia.com