Get involved in Get Started

21 Aug 2025

Every year at the start of Semester 1, all Library staff participate in Get Started, our campaign to welcome new students and equip them with the skills they need to navigate our services and support for the duration of their studies.

A student is handed a book by two Library Experience staff in Main Library

This year, Get Started will run from Monday, 22 September to Friday, 10 October and all staff are encouraged to volunteer and support a Library activity during this period.

We will be launching an updated Get Started website at the end of August.

Sign up for an activity

All Library staff are encouraged to sign up to a Get Started activity across all three weeks of the campaign. This involves providing a warm and friendly welcome, sharing what the Library has to offer, and directing students to any help they may need. Staff can choose from a variety of tasks according to their availability.

Available activities are:

Start of Year Fair: Time commitment- either 3.5 hours, or 1 hour time commitment; slots available Monday, 22 and Tuesday, 23 September (sign up by Friday, 5 September)
Textbook Rescue giveaway event: 1 hour time commitment; slots available Thursday, 25 September (sign up by Friday, 5 September)
Get Started stand at Main Library: 1 hour time commitment; slots available Monday, 22 September to Friday, 10 October (sign up by Friday, 5 September)
Wellbeing Colouring Activity at Main Library: 1 hour time commitment; slots available Monday, 22 to Friday, 26 September (sign up by Friday, 5 September)
DSS Queue Triage: 1 hour time commitment; slots available Monday,22 September to Friday, 10 October (sign up by Friday, 5 September)
Present “Get Started with the Library”: 1 hour time commitment; locations across campus; dates tbc

To sign up, insert your name against your chosen activity in this spreadsheet. Use the spreadsheet tabs to see all available activities and slots, and deadlines.

Get Started information sessions

To learn more about the activities we offer, you can attend an online induction session (around 45 minutes), led by Paul Ralphs. The Library Experience Team will also lead Library tours to help you familiarise yourself with relevant Get Started information. Date tbc, please contact Paul Ralphs to register your interest and he will get back to you.

Branded clothing

All staff wear branded clothing at all times during Get Started to ensure we are visible to students who need support. There are many recycled items in Library Office for you to try.

Hidden Disabilities scheme

We would like staff involved in Get Started activities to show the Library’s support for the Hidden Disabilities scheme. You can do this by wearing a Hidden Disabilities supporter pin or lanyard. These are available from Main Library, Crawford House and Rylands staff rooms.

We encourage all staff to watch the short Hidden Disabilities training video to learn more about the scheme.

For any questions about volunteering for Get Started, please contact Naomi Brook or Paul Ralphs.