ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

In the News

Summertime … Traditionally, a time for rest and renewal but also a time for planning for the fall semester. In this issue we have a number of articles that may stimulate your ideas for getting the fall semester off to a good start.

Getting new students familiar with the library is always a big part of the fall semester. Sheridan Stormes tells us how at Butler University they have developed a library treasure hunt that is part of freshman orientation week. Students have enjoyed the treasure hunt (which is an orientation to the library) to the extent that some were heard to remark, “Gosh, this is the most fun we’ve had all week.”

Eye-catching graphics also can help the orientation effort. Kathryn Graves describes the display developed at the University of Kansas. “Lost in the library? Stop floundering and follow the fish” uses cute fish graphics drawn by a student assistant to acquaint students with library services.

Summertime is also a good time to plan an observance of Banned Books Week which takes place September 25 through October 2, 1993. ALA makes available a resource kit for Banned Books Week that is described on page 388. While you are thinking about banned books, check out the article by Paul Metz and Bruce Obenhaus on the selection policy on controversial materials that was developed at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. If you don’t have a clear policy dealing with controversial materials, they suggest that the time to develop one is in the absence of controversy rather than in the midst of one.

Summertime is also an ideal time to plan how to find out what users think of and expect from library services. Vicki Young of Xavier University provides us with a step-by-step guide to organizing and using focus groups to gain valuable information from library users.

Hope your summer gives you some rest and some time to come up with some creative new ideas.

—Mary Ellen K. Davis Editor & Publisher