Is your Library Welcome Mat ready?

A virtual Library Welcome Mat (VLWM) for your site staff is exactly what it sounds like: A welcome mat for staff members entering your library space, in-person or online. Welcome your staff back with handy information that will make everyone’s first month back, flow as smoothly as possible. The virtual welcome mat should include any information you feel is important and relevant for a new teacher or just to refresh everyone’s mind (including your own) on the services you provide, and handy links and tools.

1. Contact Info.  The contact information for the district Library Services department.  If there is no district department, the contact information for those who can answer general library questions at the district level.  Oftentimes, the staff is not aware of who to contact for library information at the district level.
2. Online Learning Environment - make sure to include the link for the platform used by your district.
3. Textbook information and links to online resources.  By Grade spectrum, then by subject. 
4. District apps and tools.  Include the links to the tools used by all students in the district.
5. Library Fee schedule.  For textbooks and technology.
6. Copyright info.
7. OPAC information and links (online catalog).
8. Databases, the links, and the usernames and passwords.
9. New District tools’ links.
10. Other Library Services websites/links.  If you have a central website or reference site used by district users, include this as well.
11. Other district information.

Here’s a link to an example welcome mat, which is taken from the one I created for my district:  

Sample VLWM

I also created a Library Welcome Mat for my school site.  It included information specific to my school site:  Schedules, hours, Library Policy, Library Procedures, and a year-at-a-glance calendar.

Creating a VLWM will provide you with a quick link to share with new staff members, and also save you time and effort from answering the same question for ten different people in the first week of the new school year.  Include the VLWM as part of your intro email to staff the first week back, and add it as a link to your library home page, so it is always on hand and ready to share out.  Welcome your staff back with a helpful tool and start the year with your district tools’ links all ready to go!

Amelia Lafleur, Library Specialist at the District, Fontana Unified

Twitter @BookLadyLafleur