Choose a site from a previous study visit schedule AND either a subject you are doing in this session, or one you have done in a previous session. Think about how the content of the subject might be reflected in the site you’ve chosen. Have you learnt about theories, models or other evidence based practices that you might see in action at this site?

I chose to continue using the Adelaide Study Visit schedule from 2015. Students visited the Barr Smith Library at the University of Adelaide on Wednesday 29th June from 1:30 to 3:00pm.

This session, I am also studying ETL501 The Dynamic Information Environment. The subject content for this topic includes:

• Dynamic library spaces
• Print versus electronic information resources
• Searching for information
• Information services
• Learning resources
• Information services for students
• Reflective practice

Even for a University library, creating dynamic spaces is important, but in my experience, I don’t think university libraries are as engaging and exciting as school or public libraries. I remember when I was an undergraduate studying for my Bachelor of Education at Flinders University. The library felt very academic. There were three floors with a few wings branching off from a central hub. Often, it was hard to find a space to study during peak hours, and there were only cold, white, individual desks to sit at. I wonder if, now, things might be different … more dynamic. Maybe the library at the University of Adelaide is different to Flinders altogether.

Certainly, the Barr Smith library would be looking at the balance between print and electronic resources, and strategies for searching for information would be important with such a large collection. Though they work with older students, academic libraries would offer comparable information services to those found in schools, and they would also have to design engaging and accessible learning resources.