Policy on High School Visits to McKeldin Library
at the University of Maryland
This policy supercedes all previous guidelines for K12 visits to McKeldin Library
Last revised: November 20, 2007
Librarians at the University of Maryland have a long history of working with the K12 community. We have been favorably impressed with the print and electronic resources available in middle and high school library media centers, including databases that cover scholarly and popular literature. In addition, we have great confidence in the ability of our colleagues in high school libraries to teach students information literacy skills, such as: topic development; information search & retrieval; and information evaluation.
As instructors, school library media specialists play a vital role in introducing students to the wide variety of print and electronic resources available through their media centers, local public libraries, and community college libraries. School library programs not only contribute to student achievement but they also improve test scores. Librarians at the University of Maryland value the opportunity to work with our high school librarian colleagues in developing targeted instruction sessions that have measurable student learning outcomes, so long as certain criteria are met (see below).
We encourage teachers to take full advantage of the expertise of their instructional partner - the high school library media specialist - to develop customized in-house research sessions for students, and plan appropriate visits to non-University libraries. If after these steps are completed, high library media specialists and teachers jointly believe that some students need access to unique and specialized university-level resources to supplement previous research findings, the library media specialist will need to review our policy then consider submitting a request to visit. Be mindful that requests are not automatically guaranteed.
Our Mission, Expectations and Requirements
School library media specialists are asked to carefully review this policy before submitting a request to visit McKeldin Library.
About Tours: Generally speaking, the University Libraries do not offer walk-through tours of its buildings, services or collections, especially McKeldin Library. We do not offer generic library orientation sessions to school groups. Special Collections departments, at the University of Maryland Libraries, may provide specialized tours and instruction for groups. See: Policy on K12 Visits to Special Collections at the University of Maryland.
I. OUR MISSION
Our mission is to serve the University of Maryland's students, faculty and staff. In deference to the needs of thousands of tuition paying University of Maryland students who require unrestricted access to limited library resources, User Education Services (UES) will closely examine all requests submitted and will ultimately decide on the feasibility of a formal library instruction visit, in order to avoid undue congestion on taxed library services & collections, and stressed UM students.
II. OUR EXPECTATIONS
The High School Library Media Specialist will serve as the school's liaison to the University Libraries.Our expectation is that the high school library media specialist will justify the purpose for requesting a visit beyond the goal of wanting high schoolers to "experience what it's like to use a large academic library."
Our expectation is that high school library media specialists will have guided students far enough through the research process to be towards the end (not beginning) of this process, AND will have helped students exhaust a number of other resources to our satisfaction, see III. Requirements.
Our expectation is that the high school library media specialist will have a specific purpose for requesting a formal visit to McKeldin Library. You will need to articulate what unique resources your students need to use at the University of Maryland Libraries that compels you to arrange a formal visit.
UES is confident that most research for the I.B. Program's extended essay can be accomplished using the sophisticated community college resources in conjunction with the excellent resources at your high school media center and at local public libraries.
Regarding borrowing privileges for school students, see section IV. Borrowing Privileges for K12 Students.
III. REQUIREMENTS
A. HIGH SCHOOL LIAISON
General inquiries and requests to visit McKeldin Library must be made by the high school library media specialist (not through teachers, administrators or parents) to User Education Services.
B. ELIGIBLE GRADES
Students enrolled in Grades 11 and 12 only are eligible.
In our experience, most students below these grades are likely to find McKeldin Library and its collections overwhelming and overly challenging. Middle school teachers are encouraged to work with their library media specialist(s) to provide research strategies and resources, and help arrange trips to local public and feeder high school libraries.
C. PREREQUISITE STEPS
These non-negotiable steps must be taken by the high school library media specialist and teachers before submitting a request. On the Request Form, be prepared to answer these questions:
What steps have you taken - at your library media center?
Have you prepared your students by introducing them to the resources housed in your media center? We expect that you will introduce your students to your library resources before requesting a visit.What steps have you taken - at your public library?
Have you introduced students to resources available at their local public library? We expect that you will introduce your students to public library resources before requesting a visit.What steps have you taken - at your community college?
Have you arranged a visit for your students to the local community college? We expect that you will introduce your students to community college library resources before requesting a visit.
- Montgomery County Community College
Be sure to review:
Procedure for MCPS Visits to Montgomery College Libraries
A-Z List of Databases at Montgomery County Libraries- Prince George's Community College
- Howard Community College Library
- Anne Arundel Community College Library
- Community College of Baltimore County Libraries
What steps have you taken - using free Web resources?
Have you introduced your students to a number of free online resources that will aid their research? We expect that you will introduce your students to these resources before requesting a visit.In summary, we will only consider a request for a formal library instruction session at McKeldin Library once all the requirements are met. Most importantly, you will need to make the case that there are specific unique resources available at the University of Maryland Libraries that are not available at other libraries, and tell us why they are necessary to enable students to complete their research.
IV. BORROWING PRIVILEGES FOR K12 STUDENTS
The University of Maryland Libraries are currently re-evaluating its borrowing privileges to school groups.
V. SUBMITTING A REQUEST TO VISIT MCKELDIN LIBRARY
This Policy reflects our support for the teaching talents and abilities of the high school library media specialist, as well as recognizes the impressive print & electronic resources available in high school media centers, while at the same time emphasizes our direct mission to serve University of Maryland students, faculty and staff.
Request Form
