Hunting for Knowledge: Using a Scavenger Hunt to Orient Graduate Veterinary Students

Abstract

Active participation in orientation is thought to increase understanding and use of library resources and services beyond the effect of tours or welcome lectures. Timed scavenger hunts have been used to orient undergraduate and medical students to academic libraries. This report describes the planning, execution and evaluation of an un-timed iPod-documented scavenger hunt in 2012 for first-year graduate veterinary students, and the modification and execution of the hunt for new students in 2013. Findings in terms of student participation, staff experiences, and student and staff perceptions of the hunt’s utility as a learning opportunity suggest the characteristics of a scavenger hunt that facilitates hands-on learning in the library while placing reasonable demands on library staff.