Library skills Lessons

Library Detective

I named this game 'Library Detective' which can be played from about Year 3.  This is to teach the children the names of different areas, how to use the library search computers to do a 'title search', and finally to find books in different areas. The children are divided in 4 groups, each has one leader who does the reading and writing.  

Here is the sheet they work with in our library, this includes photos of the different areas in our library so each library will have to create their own worksheet: 

After a group finishes and has their worksheet checked by the librarian, they will receive a list of 4 titles they have to look for:  

First the groups will need to use the search computer to do a title search. 

On the computer they will have find out the location of the book, 

think about how the books are ordered in that area, 

find the book, 

and bring it to the desk.

When the first group has found all 4 books, the game is over.  Usually simple rewards like a free bookmark or an extra library book to take home for each member of the winning group is all you need.

TIPS: 

• Make sure each group has exclusive use of at least one search computer (I numbered every search computer)
• Do the activity for all classes in the same week, so you can keep the 16 books that are part of the game aside that week.  Each time before a class comes in to do the activity, put the books on the shelves.  This way you can be sure that the books are in the library, and sitting in the right location.  
• This activity can be adapted to practice author search, keyword search, subject search, etc... on the library search computers.  All you need to do is change the lists you hand out after the introduction sheet.  I have found it helpful to always start with the intro worksheet, it's a good reminder of the names of different areas, and how the books are sorted.