o Study the papers, books and so on published by the user.
o Attend seminars, workshops and so on in which the user participates.
o Observe the user in their workplace.
o Make personal informal contact with the user.
o Meet users in small and homogeneous groups periodically.
o Get feedback regarding the existing information retrieval facilities.
o Get suggestions from users on possible measures for improvements.
o Attend technical meetings within the institution at which projects and problems may be discussed.
o Scan correspondence and reports received by the user.
o Study the type of document that the user requests.
o Study the queries received from the user.
o Participate in institutional and work orientation programmes.
o Get involved in user orientation programmes.
o Study the subject being dealt with.
o Liaise with users and see how you can fit into their day-to-day activities by identifying the required information and making it available on time.