Session 55: Destination: library. An interactive approach to library induction

Abstract

Session overview:

Library Services has a good track record of delivering introductory sessions to new students, but the range and amount of other induction activities means that their impact can be variable.  Many students will experience ‘library anxiety’. Additionally, since the pandemic and the opening of the Student Life Building, there has been a marked decline in footfall in Aldham and Avril Robarts buildings.

Destination: Library was launched at the start of this academic year as part of the overall induction offer from the library, to address some of these issues.   This new initiative aimed to attract students into our physical spaces and provide an opportunity to promote and engage with our services.  This gamified approach followed an airport/travel theme and with participants ‘visiting’ 8 different checkpoints located throughout the library.   Each checkpoint incorporated a task linked to a particular feature such as understanding electronic resources or referencing.  The tasks were designed to be fun, interactive and quick. The aim was for students to complete the whole game within 15 – 20 minutes.

The event was run simultaneously at both the Aldham and Avril Robarts libraries allowing students to participate wherever they were based on campus.  Each of the individual components of the event were run again as standalone activities throughout semester 1 in the libraries, Student Life Building and online.

Feedback from library staff and students was positive.  Destination: Library met the aim of providing an overview of the different services within the library, in an accessible way.  Students reported feeling more confident in coming to the libraries and using our services as a result of their participation. 

Key learning points from this session:

This session will discuss the event in more detail, reflect on our experiences and give attendees a chance to participate in a sample activity. Participants can put forward ideas for further development and how they might want to incorporate this into their own induction plans.

Destination: library.  An interactive approach to library induction PowerPoint. Only LJMU staff and students have access to this resource.