Library Research Events

Supporting library events are optional, but a great way to engage students with resources beyond the internet. You and your local libraries have shared goals! Most libraries offer free use of their space and have librarians on staff that are able to help students with research. You can supplement these resources - and make a fun event - if you are able to provide some individualized project help, or mini presentations about History Day.

Student research

Students doing NHD projects, for the first or even seventh time, will need help. After they’ve picked a topic, done some preliminary research, and narrowed their topic to something reasonable, they are ready for the serious research phase.

Middle and high-school students have a very limited amount of historical knowledge. For example, it might not occur to them, that their topic on the significance of the railroad might lead them to the availability of fresh fruit in northern climates during winter. They need a few pointers to get them started. You’re not going to do the research for them. Rather, you’re going to help them to see the value in developing the widest perspective on their topic.

In addition to knowing the historical context of their topic, students need to know that sources come in many varieties. They need to understand the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. They also need to know the value of each type and how to evaluate their quality. Students should be reminded that sources come in all varieties: ledgers, diaries, newspapers, oral interviews, autobiographies, films, letters, artifacts, art, etc.

Remember that your resources are some of the most valuable offerings for students and teachers. If you have gaps in your resources, ask a historian, an archivist, a librarian, and other experts to join you - or better yet - host a research event for you. If you are a bit uncomfortable with historical content, sit in on these sessions and learn along with the students. And remember that other coordinators are a great resource; don’t recreate the wheel if you don’t have to!

Case study: minnesota's "history day hullabaloos"

The Minnesota History Day staff conducts a dozen or so research days during the late fall/early winter. These are held on weekday evenings and Saturdays at area public and college/university libraries, with the support and participation of the library staff. Students attend with parents, teachers, or independently and participate in various activities described below. Participating students are rewarded through free raffles for inexpensive NHD merchandise, helpful handouts, and a signed slip that they may present to their teacher for potential extra credit.

Power Conferences

Attendees can participate in a 15-minute one-on-one “Power Conference” about their project, resulting in a takeaway “prescription” that outlines the next steps they can take on their projects.

mini-lessons

Students can listen to brief, focused sessions about developing a thesis statement, organizing their presentation, or narrowing a topic.

research help

Of course, there is also time to use this information to research or meet with a librarian to find resources.

Virtual Hullabaloos

During the pandemic, Minnesota History Day moved its Hullabaloos online. Events were still scheduled on Saturdays and weeknights. Students attended the event by joining a virtual research room. From there, they could:

Talk to a staff member manning a Zoom-based "information desk"
Listen to scheduled mini-lessons in a different Zoom room
Chat with a librarian using the state of Minnesota AskMN chat, which was staffed with librarians familiar with History Day
Get one-on-one help from a staff member or mentor in a Power Conference. This was the only aspect of the event for which students had to register in advance and was staffed by two adults to comply with digital Safety of Minors guidelines
Browse a virtual Research Room, which was also available outside of the Hullabaloo

Sample Minnesota History Day Hullabaloo Materials

Coordinator Training Sessions

History Day Library Days
2016 Coordinator Training Session

Page updated

Report abuse