<p> MassBLAST Planning Template Session Focus: CREATING A BOOK DISPLAY</p><p>MassBLAST goal(s) : Underlined goals are covered in session. </p><p>1. Provide interns with a broad view of the roles of libraries and librarians, an overview of behind- the-scenes library operations, and insights into the role of technology in libraries.</p><p>2. Provide instruction in library research skills</p><p>3. Provide opportunities for better understanding of college and career skills </p><p>Student Outcome(s): </p><p> Interns will effectively search a library catalog by subject.  Interns will learn and appreciate the browsability factor of a library’s collection and why that might be useful.  Interns will appreciate the wide range of books in a particular subject area.</p><p>Materials: </p><p> Flip chart/chalk board  Paper, pencils/pens  Access to computers  Book trucks  Book display area  Optional: poster board & markers; plastic 8.5” frame(s); and/or display easel</p><p>Related Resources:</p><p>Vocabulary: Subject headings, online catalog, theme, patrons</p><p>Description of Activity: Introductory discussion questions:  Who uses a public library?  Who uses an academic library?  What kinds of materials might patrons in a public library look for? What kinds of materials might patrons in an academic library need?  Why do libraries have book displays? </p><p>Explain that libraries typically choose a book display theme. Share with interns some theme-of- the-week/month that your library uses. For example: National Library Week (April); Black History Month (February); National Poetry Month (April), etc. </p><p>Have students brainstorm and record some theme ideas on flipchart. Review and ask students why they chose their themes. </p><p>Determine a fair way to decide which theme you will use or set up a schedule for intern displays or set up each display in a different part of the library (this might vary depending on your space). Have students search the online catalog (record location and call numbers) for a few books related to theme. Only a few call numbers are necessary because of the ability to browse the stacks. Decide on a range for the number of books for a display.</p><p>Optional: Have students design display posters. </p><p>Provide book trucks for students, reminding them to retrieve a mix of circulating books; primarily books that are illustrated/colorful, eye-catching and various sizes. Have interns select books they want to include in their display.</p><p>Have students arrange book display (and posters). </p><p>Possible Discussion Questions: See questions within activity description.</p><p>Assessment: Completed book displays will serve as assessment. </p><p>Facilitator’s Tips and Tools: This is a great lesson to use as an introduction to using the online catalog or for teaching how to use call numbers. Interns will be applying knowledge right away in a manner that is meaningful for them.</p><p>Have interns take pictures of their display for a portfolio if they are keeping one or for your records so that you can duplicate successful displays in the future.</p><p>If you are working on interview skills with your group of interns, have students interview each other about their displays – asking why they chose the books they did, how they decided on arrangement etc.</p><p>If your library is short on display space, you can still have interns gather the books they would include in a display and have them create temporary displays for each other. Let the other interns guess what the theme of the collection might be.</p><p>Submitted by: Janet DiPaolo - UMass Boston, Healey Library Date: March 6, 2008</p>