[PADG:1444] Orientation presentations

["Patricia P. Selinger" <pepalmer@xxxxxxx>]

My institution is a university research library with a student body of
just over 24,000.  The Libraries have automated kiosks with a touch
screen for self-guided information retrieval.  Because it is self-guided,
time varies according to use.  Students can find where information is
located in the Libraries, floor maps, hours, and policies.  They can also
retrieve personal student records by inputting the school id number.
(Soon this will work with a swipe of the VCU ID card.)  Any page on the
screen can be printed.  This comes in very handy when we are hiring
students and need financial aid award letters, class schedules, etc.
Kiosks are also located in the Student Commons.  They were installed on a
trial basis in 1998 and were accepted enthusiastically by students and
public services staff.

Patricia

--
**********************************
Patricia Palmer Selinger
Head, Preservation Services
VCU Libraries
Richmond, VA
phone: 804.828.2287
pepalmer@xxxxxxx
**********************************



Olivia Primanis wrote:

>         The Ransom Center at the University of Texas is in the
> process of remodelling the first 2 floors of its building. The new
> reading room area is being planned with an additional room that will
> be reserved for orienting patrons without staff assistance. We are
> very interested in hearing about different types of orientation
> presentations, as well as handling information that has been
> developed for your institution. The information in the Ransom Center
> presentation will be tailored for patrons using collection materials
> in a non-circulating, rare and special collection library.
>
>         Please describe your orientation-- how is it delivered-- by a
> person to individuals or groups, on a handout that the patron is
> asked to read, on a handout that is left at the reading tables, by an
> automated slide or video or audio visual presentation, by a Power
> Point Presentation, other?
>         What does the orientation discuss-- how to use the finding
> aids and the reading room and to page collection materials and/or how
> to handle collection materials? Is additional information about
> duplication policy and copyright, etc included?
>         If your presentation is automated in some way, how long is
> it? And is it helpful to the public service staff?
>
>         Any comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
> Thanks in advance for your time and input.
> Olivia
>
> Olivia Primanis,
> Senior Book Conservator
> Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
> University of Texas at Austin
> P.O. Box 7219
> Austin, Texas 78713-7219
> E-mail <primanis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> tel. 512-471-9117 fax 471-7930
> --