Zara Wilkinson provides information about the Libraries to new students at Raptor Welcome.
Faculty and staff across the entire system of libraries at Rutgers University participated in numerous events over the summer to welcome students to the campus.
The Paul Robeson Library is a longtime participant in Raptor Welcome, a fun and interactive orientation program for first-year and transfer students at Rutgers University-Camden. Raptor Welcome includes a full day of programming and a campus information fair with over 80 tables representing university departments, student support services, and student organizations. Robeson will host a table at the event, welcoming over 700 new students with information, candy, and giveaways. As a result of the Bridging the Gap financial aid program, Rutgers-Camden is expecting the biggest incoming class it has ever had!
In addition to Raptor Welcome, Robeson participates in orientation programs for graduate students, teaching assistants, international students, and resident assistants. This year, library faculty and staff are also looking forward to being part of Rutgers-Camden’s brand new Raptor Passport Program, which is designed as an extra-curricular first-year experience with helpful workshops, social events, and the potential to earn prizes.
As hosts of the fair, the New Brunswick libraries get a prime spot at the front of the space. Giveaways include pens, highlighters, post-it pads, water bottles, and sunglasses. We also distribute informational flyers on undergraduate services and special collections.
Over the summer, the New Brunswick Libraries hosted the resource table fair for new and transfer students for the second year at Kilmer Library. There were 22 sessions, which were attended by around 4000 or so students and families. The libraries engaged participants with interesting facts about library services and facilities, as well as popular giveaways, such as sunglasses and water bottles.
This event was staffed by library faculty and staff who provide students information about printing, library hours and facilities, technology, and getting research help.
This fall, the New Brunswick Libraries is distributing a special mystery gift to new students who visit Alexander Library or Kilmer Library on the first day of classes, September 6. To promote this giveaway, flyers will be posted in first-year dorm common areas and the communications department will run a social media campaign. Hopefully this encourages more students to stop in and say “hi.”
While we don’t have specifics just yet, Dana Library also participated in numerous student welcome days at Rutgers University-Newark. They distributed goodies and had a special brochure with information about Dana Library to distribute.
