Approaches to LRC and library induction 1 Emma Green - LRC Manager at Walsall College

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Approaches to LRC and library induction

Emma Green - LRC Manager at Walsall College

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General Information

“Walsall College is uniquely and proudly vocational. Our greatest passion is unleashing the potential of individuals, communities and businesses; our greatestlegacy is the talent of our learners: skilled, professional and enterprising.” 1

medium sized vocational college offers part time and full time vocational courses with some HE provision split sites with two Learning Resource Centres led by a Chartered Librarian and a senior learning facilitator (qualified) 6.5 learning facilitators 2 part time assistant learning facilitators 6,000 FT students 4 – 6,000 PT studentsover 800 staff

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STAFF INDUCTION - Current Process

"A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them.“2

4 stage process which consists of a checklist, 2 classroom based sessions and a half day tour of the building – the latter part encompasses the LRC/Library induction which generally takes the form of a quick 10 or 20 minute ‘walk around’

This is tailored according to the group – e.g. Academic or Support

A captioned video is also available on our Intranet pages which talks users through the main points and is accompanied by a handbook

Paper copies of the handbook are available in the LRC and Decks

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STAFF INDUCTION – Other things we’ve tried

At recent Teaching and Learning fayres (staff development day – a chance to showcase best practice in academic and support areas) we set up a stall with a fun quiz, a lucky dip with prizes (a great way of getting rid of some of our older discarded books!) and a selection of leaflets etc for people to take away

Speed dating event between governors and staff – this was a good opportunity for us to field questions and promote services

More ad hoc, informal approaches – chatting to people in communal areas such as the tea point!

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STAFF INDUCTION – Future Developments

An online induction which covers everything from opening times, to reading lists, to digital resources, to details of our SLA has been prepared and will be delivered via Moodle through a package like i-spring *

This not only introduces staff to our service but familiarises them with using Moodle

At the end of the section there will be an option to book a tour of the centre or a longer session – there will be a variety of topics to chose from and staff will be able to book through an Online Calendar

* i-spring is similar to PowerPoint but can be used to track and assess

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Student Induction – Current Process

“He is wise who knows the sources of knowledge -- where it is written and where it is to be found.”3

Lecturers book in student groups through an online calendar and the learning facilitator in charge of this are leads the session.Sessions generally take anywhere between 20 – 40 minutes and are held through September and OctoberTakes the form of a ‘walk around’ where we point out useful resources, as well as fore exits and talk about conduct in the centreThis is followed by a session on ICT, digital resources and the OPACAt the end students are asked to complete an evaluation sheet to make sure they have understood the main pointsInductions are tailored to subject and levelA captioned video is also available on our Intranet pagesLonger sessions available on requestStudy sessions (referencing etc) held throughout the year

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Student Induction – Other things we’ve triedOn open days and fresher's fayre we set up a stall with a fun quiz, a lucky dip with prizes (a great way of getting rid of some of our older discarded books!) and a selection of leaflets etc for people to take away

Speed dating event between students and staff – at fresher's fayre and later student conference. This was a good opportunity for us to field questions and promote services (there is footage of this which I can send if anyone is interested!)

CDs with video clips sent to ALL staff for use in tutorials

Sessions split between LRC staff and IT/e-media staff (to increase volume of inductions )

Presentations in lecture theatre (limited success as you can’t beat a hands on approach!)

Evaluation via voting tools/Promethean

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STUDENT INDUCTION – Future Developments

An online induction which covers everything from opening times, to reading lists, to digital resources, to details of our SLA has been prepared and will be delivered via Moodle through a package like i-spring *

This not only introduces students to our service but familiarises them with using Moodle

At the end of the section there will be an option to book a tour of the centre or a longer session – there will be a variety of topics to chose from and they will be able to book through an Online Calendar

* i-spring is similar to PowerPoint but can be used to track and assess

9Emma Green - LRC Manager at Walsall College


Stats06/07 1980 students inducted

07/08 2520 students inducted

08/09 3680 students inducted

09/10 2736 students inducted*


Quotes1 Walsall College, 2009. Realising our Vision: Strategic Plan 2009 – 2012, Walsall: Walsall College.2 Snicket, L., Available at http://classiclit.about.com/od/litlibraries/a/aa_libraryquote.htm. [Accessed 25/06/2010].3. Hodge, A.A., at http://classiclit.about.com/od/litlibraries/a/aa_libraryquote.htm. [Accessed 25/06/2010].

Contact DetailsEmma Green – [email protected]

http://classiclit.about.com/od/litlibraries/a/aa_libraryquote.htm


mailto:[email protected]




Contact DetailsEmma Green – [email protected]








Documents

Approaches to LRC and library induction 1 Emma Green - LRC Manager at Walsall College