This initiative aims to introduce essential library skills to first year students .
Academic integration/belongingTraining | Online tool | Online program | Off campus | On campus | In person | Online
Time lineWhat is the main idea or gist?
What does this initiative/support/project look like?
Introduce new students to essential library skills.
UCD Library provides specific support for first year/new incoming students. There are 5 libraries in UCD which all registered students have access to.
An orientation programme is delivered through the VLE system (Brightspace) which makes reference to the specific Library Supports in place for new students.
Specific supports include:
Library Tours – on campus tours are run by UCD Peer Mentors and includes a virtual tour option.
New Student Guide: https://libguides.ucd.ie/newstudents
Here new students can find all the essential information, tips and guides they need to get started using the library. There is a dedicated ‘new student FAQ section’ and it highlights the UCD Library app which can be used as a digital library card and to borrow items directly with the ‘Self-Checkout’ option.
Finding Information Tutorial (15 mins): https://www.ucd.ie/library/diglit/findinginfo/#/
This is short tutorial to help new students understand
In addition to this specific support for new students, the library has developed a range of video tutorials, guides and resources. It has its own dedicated youtube channel on a range of topics for e.g.
Finding Books Using OneSearch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv6MjHscTx0&t=74s
Finding Journal Articles Using OneSearch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKkO5Jfh5ao&t=72s
The I am A Student page links to all the Study Skills resources and Subject Guides.
Academic Integrity: Citing and Referencing: https://libguides.ucd.ie/academicintegrity/overview
These guides are to help students understand how to cite and reference correctly and know which citation style to use. All key citation styles are covered. It is recommended that students bookmark the one they need for their course. There is also an Academic Integrity Course recommended to do before starting their first essay to learn the essentials of citing and referencing.
Students can also book study spaces for individual or group projects, get access to noise canceling headphones, borrow laptops and have access to charger ports through the library. There is also a chat support function on the library webpage so that a librarian can offer live chat support. As well as that there is a dedicated Liaison Librarian to support students with their studies and provide training and advice.
What are the goals?
That new students understand how the library works, where they can access relevant information, know what support is available through the library and know how to ask for help.
How are students involved?
What underlying constructs or ideas inspired the design?
Having a good library introduction programme can help reduce library anxiety, increase use of library resources and contribute to the future success of new students.
What the success criteria and the points of attention?
(How) does the effectiveness get tracked?
We do try and track the success of the orientation initiative by monitoring access to the available services.
(How) is this initiative/support/project evaluated?
The library is included in the main UCD orientation feedback from a cohort of new students. This is qualitative feedback and in addition we analyse quantitative data on our library tours, usage data of our libguides, orientation videos and our social media interactions. This helps inform future orientation initiatives.
The format of the Peer Mentor orientation tours has been adapted based on feedback and metrics from previous years. We have reduced the running time of orientation videos based on usage data. The main UCD orientation advisory group conducts research based on student feedback which feeds into a report produced annually. In addition, the library produces an orientation report with recommendations for the following year.
How is it communicated and advertised?
What is the current and ideal timing and duration?
The services are introduced in Semester One (Autumn Trimester), however the content is available throughout the academic year.
During regular ‘school’ hours.
What resources are needed to run this initiative?
Is it easily transferrable to other contexts or groups?
We think it is easily transferable to other contexts or groups.
Currently redesigning library guides to ensure that they comply with all accessibility guidelines and the library software allows for this as well. The buildings are accessible.
Most universities have library facilities and it would be possible to add in additional support like UCD has as long as you have the staff and budgets to do so.
Challenges – can be hard to reach the right students in their first year, competition from other services, short time frame, it is a challenge to reach the students who don’t engage in orientation programmes.