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Unit 4: Library Orientation

their friends about the library, and thus, motivate more people to come to the library and become Notes
library members.
After library orientation is completed, give new library users a bookmark or brochure or information
pamphlet as support material. This will help them to remember the new information they received
during the orientation session.

It is very important that new library users feel positive towards the library and its
staff-because if this is not the case after the first encounter, the library has probably
lost a potential library user for good.

Formal library orientation

Formal library orientation is when groups of people are introduced to the library in an organized
way.

Creating an orientation programme
Decide who your target groups will be School children, students, parents, interested adults, or others?
Tailor your programme according to each group you want to reach. For small children, a story hour
or puppet show can be included. For primary school children, a demonstration of how to use the
simple reference works (for example, a dictionary and encyclopedia) could be included in the session,
while students may be more interested in different study techniques, or ways of finding information
on the Internet. The amount of information included in your orientation session will also differ
from group to group.
Contact the different institutions you want to involve. Tell them about your programme and ask
them if they would like to participate. Arrange a tentative date for a specific group to visit the
library. When a group is due to visit the library, remind them of the visit at least one week in
advance. Present your programme to the group when they visit. Encourage them to ask questions,
to come back on their own, to browse through the library and to join and use the library.

Hints for planning your programme

See to it that the groups coming to visit are not too large. Make a point of determining the size of the
group when an appointment is made for a group visit. Make your programme as stimulating and
visually interesting as possible. Use aids, for example, let them use the computer to look for information
on a specific author, subject, etc. if possible. Let them take an active part in the programme make it an
experience they will remember. Give each one a bookmark or information pamphlet or brochure to
help them remember the library and its services.
What kind of information can be included in a formal orientation programme?
The same kind of information may be given during the informal library orientation sessions. General
information about the library, for example, hours of the library, services offered by the library (e.g.,
special requests, renewing books, reserving books, CIS. etc).
The arrangement of books in the different sections in the library, as well as the physical layout of
the library. Something interesting about the library, its materials or services that will be of interest
for the specific group you are working with.

Online library orientation

With the development of new technologies, library orientation is also possible via the Internet.
Especially tertiary institutions like university libraries make use of this option.

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