6 October 1992 Student Training in Library Use Now Compulsory

The need for students to be confident and competent in information retrieval and the use of a modern library was emphasised at this week's meeting of Lincoln University Council. (Tues, 6 Oct.)

The Council approved a new university regulation requiring all undergraduate students to complete a library orientation programme during the first semester of their enrolment at the University.

For many years the Lincoln University Library has provided a voluntary orientation programme for all first year students. However, with increasing flexibility in degree structures and rising student numbers the difficulties of mounting the programme to ensure that all students take it have grown.

It is hoped that the new requirement will signal to students the importance of competence in information retrieval as the basis for life-long learning.

Library use at Lincoln in terms of books taken out per student per year is the highest proportionately of all the university libraries in New Zealand.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.