Reflections on Week 1

Practical and General Impressions:
Found that being 'stationed' upstairs works well - students (and staff) approach the Librarian.
Have found the academic staff very supportive.
Have been periodically 'popping into' the Cal. Lab - students ask questions.
Being available out in the Centre definitely works - have been approached by students (known as 'the roving guy').


Student Issues:
Had three one-on-one Reference sessions last week.
Spoke to students during the week - approached them around the Centre.
Findings/impressions:
1. Students are finding the Self-directed Independent Learning component of the new curriculum somewhat daunting - comments along the lines of: "I do not know what to do during my free time".
2. There appear to be some fundamental gaps in student library/research skills knowledge (e.g. how to find a journal on the library catalogue - not the most user-friendly of interfaces - and then how to translate that to finding the article electronically or on-shelf). How they fare on this case, and those following, will be interesting.

Solution being explored:
Had a meeting with an academic to discuss how the Library might be able to help, though the tutors or directly with the students. One idea being explored is to run some form of 'clinic' during the students' independent learning time, either in the Centre or in the Med Library, with more librarians than just the HC Librarian being available, so the students could drop-in and receive immediate assistance - sort of structured independent learning. (this having a two-fold benefit - developing the students research skills, and self-directed, independent learning skills by way of a semi-structured forum).