October 3, 2016

For first-year college students, adjusting to a more rigorous academic work load can seem daunting. That's why, in an attempt to ease that transition, Drexel University Libraries hosted several events in September welcoming new students to campus.

During Welcome Week, librarians greeted over 150 students who came to the Libraries' open houses. With new students on campus a full week before classes started, the Libraries wanted students to immediately identify the Libraries as a judgment-free learning environment. During the open houses, librarians stationed themselves at a table at the front of the W.W. Hagerty Library, answering students' questions and describing how the Libraries can support them. The Libraries coaches students to become confident learners by preparing them to search for a journal article, use materials reserved for a class reading or book a study room for their first group project.

Elise Ferer, Drexel's librarian for undergraduate learning, held a voluntary workshop on the Tuesday of Welcome Week on how the Libraries can help students succeed in college. Over 40 new students came to the session in preparation for their first week of classes and left knowing much more about the Libraries' study spaces and research materials.

Liaison librarians also hosted a very popular water ice event during the first week of classes at the Library Learning Terrace. In the lingering summer heat, librarians scooped water ice out of two five-gallon coolers for over 200 students who stopped by. Students had a chance to meet the liaison librarians who work directly with their schools or colleges, and liaison librarians enjoyed the chance to meet students informally during their first week and orient them to what the Libraries offers.