Schools and colleges

Academic library induction programmes and tours

The Drill Hall Library (the Drill Hall) welcomes the opportunity to:

build relationships with local schools and to encourage and facilitate the transition between school and higher education (HE) for year 12 and 13 students;
introduce year 12 and 13 students to an academic library and provide access to HE resources to support their studies; and
work with our colleagues in the Universities at Medway (UaM) partner institutions to support their recruitment and wider participation activities and programmes within the local community.

To support these aims we have developed a programme of academic library induction programmes for local school and college students.

Who are we?

The Drill Hall is an information and learning resources facility for the University of Greenwich, University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and Mid Kent College on the UaM campus at Chatham Maritime. We support a range of subjects, including business, education, engineering, health, law, pharmacy and social sciences.

Our resources

To ensure that we have the resources your students need for their studies, please consult our subject guides before you make a booking. These guides provide information about the subjects taught at the UaM campus and therefore the subject areas for which resources will be held in the library.

You can also search our catalogue. Please note that only items with a Medway location on the catalogue will be found in the Drill Hall.

What we can offer

Induction programmes

The Drill Hall offers a choice of three induction packages.

Academic library group induction 1

Length: 40 minutes

Delivered by: subject librarian and academic support assistant

Intended audience: years 12 and 13 or equivalent.

This session is designed for those who are considering university or are working towards qualifications or programmes of study at schools and colleges in the area where access to HE resources would be beneficial. This basic introductory session offers an opportunity for students to familiarise themselves with an academic library. Future access to the library for reference purposes is optional (please advise us at the time of application).

The session will include:

a tour of the Drill Hall;
an introductory presentation about the services offered by the Drill Hall;
an introductory presentation on basic catalogue search techniques;
time for hands-on experience using the catalogue and locating resources within the library; and
registration and issue of reference access card (if requested).

Academic library group induction 2

Length: 90 minutes

Delivered by: subject librarian and academic support assistant

Intended audience: years 12 and 13 or equivalent

This session is designed for those who are considering university or are working towards qualifications or programmes of study at schools and colleges in the area where access to HE resources would be beneficial. The session offers an opportunity for students to familiarise themselves with the wealth of information available in an academic library. Future access to the library for reference purposes is optional (please advise us at the time of application).

The session will include:

a tour of the Drill Hall;
an introductory presentation about the services offered by the Drill Hall;
an introductory presentation on basic catalogue search techniques;
time for hands-on experience using the catalogue and locating resources within the library; and
registration and issue of reference access card (if requested).

Academic library group induction 3

Length: 2 hours 30 minutes

Delivered by: subject librarian and academic support assistant

Intended audience: years 12 and 13

This session is the same as induction 2 but includes a short session on internet research skills.

The session will include:

a tour of the Drill Hall;
an introductory presentation on the services offered by the Drill Hall;
an introductory presentation on basic catalogue search techniques;
time for hands-on experience using the catalogue and locating resources within the library;
a session on research skills using the internet; and
registration and issue of reference access card (if requested).

Can we use everything in the library?

Students attending library induction programmes can have reference access to all items on the open shelves in the library.

We regret that the scheme excludes PC access (apart from OPAC) and access to electronic resources, which, due to educational licence agreements, is only available to registered members of the UaM partner institutions.

Photocopying is chargeable at 50 pence for the purchase of a flexicard and 5 pence per A4 black and white side, 20 pence per A4 colour side. Copies of print material can only be made in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act (1988), which is displayed by each copier.

Can we stay in the library after the programme ends?

It may be possible for you to remain in the library after the induction programme has ended to enable your students to utilise the library resources. Similarly, it may be possible for you to return as a group to undertake further study at a later date. In both circumstances students must be accompanied and supervised at all times by members of school staff.

Optional reference access

All attendees have the option of joining the Drill Hall on a reference-only basis for a set period of time. This enables individual students to visit the library for independent study at times agreed with their school. Reference access is also available for school staff.

Library tours

The Drill Hall also offers the opportunity to undertake a tour of our facilities. To facilitate the ongoing daily operation of the library, please note that all tours should be booked even if you intend to provide a university member of staff or student ambassador as the tour guide. We are also able to offer escorted tours should this be required (subject to availability).

How to book induction programmes and tours

Programmes and tours can be booked using our online booking form. Please note that while we will endeavour to accommodate you, all requests are subject to existing demands on the library.