A scavenger hunt is an entertaining way for students to learn about where to find certain information within the school library. The scavenger hunt list may require students to look up books in the electronic library system, learn whether they are available, and locate reference materials such as encyclopedias. For instance, one item on the library scavenger hunt list may be for students to find the book "Peter Rabbit" Or, they may need to find out who wrote the poem "The Raven." The first team of students to complete its scavenger hunt first wins the activity.
Fast facts is a game that students can play in the library at the beginning of the school year to freshen up on their research skills. Instruct students to gather in a circle; pass out an index card to each with a different question on it. Each student must answer by researching within the library. Question examples include "What is the capital of Poland" and "What staple foods are eaten in China?" Students are not allowed to solve the fast facts question by checking the answers online.
Students can always use bookmarks to help them keep track of where they left off in a book. And kids also enjoy doing arts and crafts activities. So, come up with a bookmark contest where students compete against one another in designing the most interesting bookmark. Each student receives the materials and the bookmark cutout, and then is allowed to design it however he likes. This activity can be hosted in the school library, as long as the kids are quiet and the teacher reserves a private area of the library for the class.
Puppet shows are effective for teaching students about the library's resources. Ask for student volunteers to operate the puppets in the show. Have them use a script that the librarian writes. Make sure all of the students who want to volunteer have a chance to participate in the puppet show.