Study Visit Guidelines
Study visits are designed to demonstrate the diversity of professional practice through visits to a range of library and information work environments. This requires your participation in one 4 day program with a focus on observation and dialogue.
Registration
The School of Information Studies offers a choice of study visits each year, and students are advised to register for their preferred study visit with the Professional Experience Officer as early as possible. Limits do apply, and registration will close when the study visit has been filled.
Programs
Programs vary from location to location, and a typical study visit might involve 7 to 9 visits over the four days to either a state library, a university library, public libraries, special libraries, corporate libraries and school libraries, and possibly a bookseller, publisher, subscription agency or other information related agency. Programs generally do not become available until 3 weeks prior to the start of the study visit.
Lecturers from the library and information science and the teacher librarianship disciplines convene the study visits. A study visit program usually involves a preliminary briefing by the convening lecturer, a social gathering at some central point and a closing session on the afternoon of Day Four.
Visits to the libraries and information agencies generally follow a similar format and can include:
- a welcome and brief address establishing the role of the library within its organisation;
- an introduction to the range of services;
- panel presentations on major contemporary issues, with Q&A discussion;
- a conducted tour for the group with further opportunity for questions and discussion.
Study Visits which attract large groups typically offer parallel sessions and students are required to make their choices from a range of library types, in order to experience a broad view of professional practice.
To view previous years' programs:
Participation
Subject outlines contain a Study Visit Checklist 58Kb [PDF] which has been designed as a generic trigger to facilitate observation and discussion throughout the program. Students will need to be selective with the application of the checklist, as not all criteria will be relevant to every library.
The majority of libraries, or their parent organisations, maintain a Web presence, which will be linked via the study visit programs. It is recommended that students spend some time previewing the hosting organisations' websites prior to the study visit.
Students are also required to submit feedback on the study visit, during the closing session, using the evaluation cover sheet.
Attendance and punctuality for all sessions extends courtesy and interest in the programs on offer. Attendance is monitored and students are required to sign the University enrolment record at the beginning and end of the study visit.
Student Responsibilities
Student responsibilities are to:
- register for your preferred study visit as soon as possible with the Professional Experience Officer;
- contact the Professional Experience Officer as soon as possible if you have to change your contact details or your study visit registration;
- arrange travel, accommodation and meals as appropriate;
- be punctual at all times;
- actively participate in the study visit;
- sign the University Enrolment Record at the beginning and end of the study visit;
- complete a study visit evaluation and hand it to the convening lecturer at the end of the study visit.
Independent study visits
Authorisation for an independent study visit is usually only given to a small number of students who cannot participate in a University convened study visit due to distance or inability to travel.
Students who cannot participate in a convened study visit are required to arrange an independent study visit in consultation with their Subject Coordinator.