The Penn Libraries Digital Showcase -- August 24 - 31, 2020
Part of the University of Pennsylvania's New Student Orientation program
This year, NSO is moving online and we'll need your help to adapt our long-running Penn Libraries Showcase to a new, exciting, week-long format. With more options and a flexible schedule, we hope staff across the libraries can find a way to get involved and support our NSO efforts. In this guide, you'll find an overview of our planning process, information on the various programming we have planned, and the different ways you could get involved. We hope you'll join us and we look forward to working together with you to welcome our new students and kick off the fall semester!
Overview
New Student Orientation (NSO) is the one time of the year when, together, our organization can welcome new students and lay the groundwork for a relationship that lasts well beyond a student's years on campus.
With that in mind, it's important that, as the Penn Libraries, we're able to give new students a sense of who we are, what we can do, what we have to offer, and where/how to find us.
In general, our programming for NSO covers three areas: our larger library system, our people, and the information and resources we have to offer. By creating different programs and a robust online presence that cover each of these areas, we hope that our efforts for NSO 2020 will provide a useful and comprehensive overview for new students who could use our guidance and support more than ever.
Opportunities to Get Involved
Q&A Panel Discussion
Sign up to join our Q&A panel discussion.
"The Penn Libraries: Secrets to Students Success" is a moderated panel discussion that gives students and their families a chance to engage with librarians while learning insider tips and tricks to help them succeed at Penn. This year we are offering 3 sessions throughout the day to reach a wider range of students across the globe.
Library Snapshots
Submit your library or unit's profile
Our "Library Snapshots page" will provide students with an at-a-glance view of all the libraries and student-facing units available to help them. Each snapshot profile will include interesting facts, helpful tips, and contact information so students can find out more about each library or unit.
"Meet Your Librarian" Welcome Videos
Record a short video
Introduce yourself to new students and welcome them to the university. The videos will be added to the "Meet Your Librarians" page to highlight some of the friendly faces students may encounter when seeking research help. Librarians will be get a copy of their video to able to reuse in the future. No fancy tech equipment or skills required!
Back to School Workshops
Sign up to lead live introductory workshops.
Promoted during NSO and offered through the first week of classes, our "Back to School" Workshops will give students a closer look at some of the great things they have access to through the library and a great way to reach out during a critical time. Show off your collection, give an intro session on a useful tool, or show students how to use and access virtual services and resources at the library.
Suggested Readings for the Year of Civic Engagement
Submit your reading recommendations
In keeping with this year's theme of civic engagement, we're allowing staff a chance to recommended books on this important topic. Submissions collected will be displayed as a data visualization shared on our NSO site. During NSO, students will be invited to share their recommendations, see what others have suggested, and find links to these titles in our catalog.
Share Your NSO Plans!
Let us know what you already have planned for New Student Orientation
We know that many of you have already begun planning for your school-specific orientation activities. We want to highlight the ways our librarians are reaching out on campus so let us know what activities you have planned. We'll include this information on our Penn Libraries NSO site.
Contact Information
If you have any general questions about NSO and the Penn Libraries Digital Showcase, please contact Dorothy Espalto.
The Libraries' NSO activities are being planned by the library's Events and Outreach Working Group: Dorothy Espalto, Monica Fonorow, Eileen Kelly, Katie Rawson, Cheyenne Riehl, Nicole Santiago, Rebecca Stuhr.