This activity works best if you have some time with a group. Split the learners into small groups and ask them to work on a design brief. For example, you could ask them to plan a perfect library to help them understand how your library works as a building, plan a mini catalogue for a collection to help them understand classification and metadata, prepare an introductory library guide or design library web pages to help them understand the range of online services that you provide. This can be an excellent induction activity for learners with whom you expect to have a longer-term relationship. Not only will it help them understand how libraries work (for example, comparing your actual library to the one that they design) but it will also help inform your planning – an informal feedback mechanism.

The briefs need to be clear and well defined for them to work. If it is for a library building you should specify which core services are required. A small collection would be better than ‘the history books’ for understanding classification and cataloguing. If you set a task where your learners are asked to produce some kind of guide or information material, specify the level of readership and provide access to your publication guidelines.

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