Get involved in Get Started- represent your team!
27 Aug 2026
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.
This year, Get Started will run from Monday, 21 September to Friday, 9 October and all staff are encouraged to volunteer and support a Library activity during this period. The main aim is to provide a friendly welcome to the Library, and there is no expectation that staff will know the answer to every question. Helpful information will be available on the stands, and anyone who is new to Get Started will have support from a colleague who has volunteered before. We also provide the Get Started website to use as a central point for information for students.
See why colleagues volunteer:
“Working in Crawford House - volunteering with the Get Started Stand made me feel more part of the wider library team. It was a good way to meet colleagues from across different departments.”
“Everything students needed was visible and I could easily walk or signpost Library users in the right direction…It was lovely to connect with team members across the Library too.”
“It's always fun!”
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; slots available Monday, 21 and Tuesday, 22 September
(sign up by Friday, 11 September)
- Textbook Rescue giveaway event
one hour time commitment; slots available Thursday, 24 September
(sign up by Friday, 11 September)
- Get Started stand at Main Library
one hour time commitment; slots available Monday, 21 September to Friday, 9 October
(sign up by Friday, 11 September)
- Race Across the Library sign up desk
one hour time commitments; slots available Wednesday, 7 October
(Sign up by Friday, 11 September)
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.
If you have any questions about the activities, or the role of volunteers please contact Paul Ralphs or Naomi Brook.
Get Started Presentations:
Colleagues are also invited to deliver Get Started presentations at programme level to welcome new and returning undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers. Please direct any questions to the Teaching, Learning and Students Coordinators.
Branded clothing
All staff should wear branded clothing during Get Started so students can easily identify who to ask for 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.