Librarians and computer staff, especially when we are faculty-based, understand the needs and difficulties faced by students, not only because we have faced them ourselves at some time, but because we know quite a lot about the work you are doing. We often do not see a large number of our first year students until well into the year, and often in a deadline or crisis situation. Technology, in particular, seems to present problems for you. Most students know their way around a computer, but in a pretty rudimentary way, and in overly sophisticated software packages, this can result in confusion pretty quickly. Most of you know the basics of particular programs, such as Microsoft Word, but do not know common Windows commands which would enable you to move between programs easily.
Assumptions often seem to be made by teaching staff about a range of skills students have.
Conversely, not enough emphasis is placed on students finding their own sources, by learning to use CD-ROM indexes to current literature, for instance. Simple style guides may not be presented to you by your lecturers as a matter of course, but they are available from the library. Information literacy is assumed rather than analysed, and you are sometimes expected to use new environments or applications without appropriate introduction or training, and sometimes without real integration into the course. Access to computer facilities is a real problem for many students, which becomes particularly evident in stressful periods such as examinations or re-enrolment. It may be helpful to realize that librarians like to be asked questions, and rather enjoy a good research hunt.