WVU Libraries

Imagine being perfectly prepared for a long road trip. You have an up-to-date map; detailed directions that identify the best roads, fabulous restaurants, the cheapest gas stations, and alternate routes you can take if needed; brochures for dozens of attractions; a digital camera with 10 gigs of memory; and your favorite caffeinated beverage.

Now, imagine what it would take for a student to get off to a good start on his or her academic voyage.

The West Virginia University Libraries want to help. As part of the 2011 First Year Academy, the Libraries are sponsoring “Discover! WVU Libraries” to support the University’s initiative to enhance the First Year Experience program.

The event, to be held from 1:30-5 p.m. August 20, invites the incoming class of Mountaineers into the Libraries before they even jot one note or listen to one lecture.

The goal is to introduce them to the library that will assist them through their academic endeavors at WVU. If students can casually explore the library, they will feel more comfortable and confident when they return with an assignment in hand.

Depending on their major, students will visit the Downtown Campus Library, the Evansdale Library, or the Health Sciences Library to learn about the array of available resources and services and to meet the librarians and staff who can guide them when writing a paper or doing research.

To make the experience fun, as well as instructive, the Libraries have planned a series of activities throughout the buildings. Students will receive incentives to participate. Each library will give out prizes, and students will be entered into a drawing for an iPad and Sony Reader.

An assessment form for the event will serve as the drawing entry form. Their responses will allow the Libraries to gauge student reactions to their discoveries and improve the program next year.