TARGET: Activities for teaching OPAC

[Julie N Hornick <dandj31@JUNO.COM>]

Dear LM_NETters:

Once again I am applying for your help . . .

When I got to my new school (K-5) this year I discovered that the
students have never been taught to find books in the library . . .  I
have spent the last few weeks reviewing non-fiction categories and the
rudiments of call numbers, spine labels, and how these are helpful in
finding what they want to find with my third and fourth grade classes
(because of my fixed schedule, I never see any fifth grade classes and
have almost no room in my schedule when I can work with them . . .).  I
am now wanting to show them the OPAC, which most of them have never seen
nor heard of, and help them to learn how to use it.   Oh, I should
mention that because of the installation of a new server and the lack of
any back up (don't ask!) last year all the records were cleared out of
the program and the interim librarian and the aid had to enter over 8,000
records from scratch.  As a result, most records in the computer are
simply title and call number (not even author), so effective (and I use
that term loosely) searching is limited to keyword and title.

I plan to hook the computer up to the projector to demonstrate the OPAC,
but I was wondering if anyone had any clever suggestions for activities
for 3rd and 4th graders to accompany the demonstration--something that
would give them real hands-on, practical (yet fun) practice in a 30
minute class . . .

Is this a tall order?

As always, any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated, and I will
certainly post a hit if there is any interest.

Thanks in advance.

*******************************
Julie Hornick =^+^=
Media Specialist
Williams Memorial ES
St. George, SC
dandj31@juno.com

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