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from Activities
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 June 2018
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.
✓ Best for
• A group that you have some time with or as a set assignment
• Learners in creative subjects: design briefs are a standard assessment form for students in art and design disciplines.
+ MORE
• Ask the learners to provide a design brief for an architect or web designer – what would they want in a library building or on a library website?
: WATCH OUT
• You will need to explain the rationale for this in detail to engage the learners with the greatest effect. It can be a really rewarding activity but it might not appear relevant to them at first as it requires more time to settle in and get used to the task.
→ further reading
Design Council, www.designcouncil.org.uk/resources-and-events/Business-andpublic- sector/guides/finding-and-working-with-a-designer/writing-a-brief-andgetting- a-project-started.
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