On the Fly BI

Abstract

Today's reference librarians are constantly faced with the challenge of orienting users to the complex, ever changing world of the electronic library. A well-structured library instruction program is one important approach to the overall goal of educating users. But library instruction sessions cannot and do not reach all students. Studies indicate that students are most receptive to learning research techniques at the point of need, which most often occurs at the reference desk. Although many reference librarians are committed to “teaching students to fish,” they are frequently faced with students whose research needs require in-depth lessons that exceed the time available for most reference desk transactions. This paper offers a way to close the gap by providing a set of techniques and strategies, utilizing behaviors and props, which can be used in those short, one-on-one instruction-based situations.     

Using Wikipedia to Teach Information Literacy

ABSTRACT

Today's college student often starts his research by using a search engine. Because of this, Wikipedia is increasingly becoming the go-to reference resource for the newest generation of students. However, many students do not know about the problems (e.g., vandalism) associated with this tool other than ambiguous warnings from librarians and faculty who say that it should not be used for research. Librarians and faculty should help remove the stigma associated with Wikipedia by embracing this Website and its imperfections as a way to make information literacy instruction valuable for the twenty-first-century student.     

Using Google Scholar at the Reference Desk

ABSTRACT

Google Scholar has multiple uses as a reference tool of last resort, including citation completion, an alternative when catalogs are down, and interdisciplinary metasearching and database suggestion. During the reference desk transaction, users can be taught effective Google Scholar search techniques such as advanced search functionality and the nuances of results' groupings. In addition, reference desk interactions with Google Scholar give insight for instructional workshops.     

The Development of a First-Year Student Library Instruction Program at Duke University

Abstract

In 1995, the Duke University Libraries began an instructional program designed to reach all first-year students. Starting as a general library orientation, this program, through trial and error, has evolved into a two-session program, which incorporates many library instruction techniques, including active learning exercises, and consistently receives high marks. Based on the Duke University Libraries' experience, the authors propose strategies for developing a successful bibliographic instruction program for freshmen.     

Communication,Collaboration, and Enhancing the Learning Experience: Developing a Collaborative Virtual Enquiry Service in University Libraries in the North of England

ABSTRACT

This article uses the case study of developing a collaborative “out-of-hours” virtual enquiry service by members of the Northern Collaboration Group of academic libraries in the north of England to explore the importance of communication and collaboration between academic library services in enhancing student learning. Set within the context of a rapidly changing UK higher education sector the article considers the benefits and challenges of collaboration and the contribution of library services to the student experience. The project demonstrated clear benefits to student learning and evidence of value for money to individual institutions as well as showing commitment to national shared services agendas. Effective communication with students, with colleagues and stakeholders in our own and other Northern Collaboration member institutions, and with OCLC, our partner organization, was a critical success factor in the development, promotion, and uptake of the new service.     

Evaluating the Drop-In Center

Abstract

The Reference Department at the University of Colorado at Boulder provides a research consultation service to undergraduates enrolled in the mandatory introductory writing course. The Research Center is staffed by graduate students trained in providing reference assistance. Librarians in the Reference Department administered a patron satisfaction survey to 415 students to evaluate the effectiveness of the Research Center. The survey addressed patron response to the research tutors, services offered, and overall satisfaction. Responses are overwhelmingly positive. Students used the Research Center most often on Mondays and between weeks 7 and 13 of the semester.     

Getting Our Foot (Back) in the Door: Reestablishing a Freshman Instruction Program

SUMMARY

In 1999, librarians at the University of Alabama (UA) developed a program to reintroduce library instruction into the English Department's mandatory Freshman Composition Program. This article discusses the development, execution, outcome, and assessment of the program and includes tips for developing a similar program. Through negotiation and open discussion with the Director of Freshman English, the library successfully convinced the Director to allow a program of instruction back into the English 101 program. Library instruction sessions were paired with one of the essays/assignments common to all English 101 classes. A survey conducted to assess the library's efforts concluded that the instruction had a positive effect on students' understanding of library resources.     

Library Student Employee Expertise: Strategies for Maximizing Your Student Employee Contributions to the Library

The University of Baltimore Library was recently renovated. Part of the design in the newly renovated space was having one single service point, that we call the Information Desk. This desk serves as the public facing portal for what was previously three public facing service points to services by three separate departments, Academic Success, Access Services and Reference & Instruction.

This article describes in depth how our Information Desk Leadership Team encouraged and used our library student employees’ expertise and knowledge in the formation of policy and procedure manual, training documents, reference tools and resume lines for use at a single service point.     

Library Service to Student Athletes

Abstract

Student athletes at Penn State have been identified and targeted as an underserved population, and over the past year a new outreach program has been created and piloted to meet their needs. The student athletes share the characteristics of distance learners much of the time and present a number of challenges to the librarians who serve as mentors for this program. This paper describes this project, emphasizing the different skills and technologies necessary to reach this unique group of students.     

Text Messaging in an Academic Library: Integrating SMS into Digital Reference

ABSTRACT

In spring 2005, Sims Memorial Library at Southeastern Louisiana University initiated “Text A Librarian,” a service that enables Southeastern students, faculty, and staff to use the text message feature of their cell phones to send questions to and receive answers from the library. Librarians at Sims use a dedicated text messaging telephone number and “e-mail/SMS” conversion software, provided by Altarama Systems and Services, to send and receive text messages.     

Simplifying Electronic Reference

ABSTRACT

Utah State University has successfully implemented a service that incorporates e-mail reference and an appointment-based model. The advantages of the Term Paper & Research Assistance service are reviewed. The program incorporates a great deal of flexibility for the participating librarians and the clients they serve and eliminates the need for a “coordinator.” Use statistics and positive student feedback have underscored the service's potential for future growth.     

Student Assistant Training in a Small Academic Library

Abstract

At Valparaiso University's main library, the Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources (formerly the Moellering Library), student employees are an integral part of day-to-day operations. Students work at the reference desk and must be able to handle reference questions. Since the fall 2000 semester, the Reference Services Librarian has been creating a training program for the student assistants, consisting of an initial training period and a series of quizzes combined with review sessions. Student assistants are also indispensable in Instruction Services. These students are charged with library web site and instruction materials' updates. Methods, lessons learned throughout the process, and quiz questions are used to illustrate the development of the training program. Student performance evaluations and feedback are positive.     

Writing Centers and Libraries: One-Stop Shopping for Better Term Papers

In the university environment, libraries and writing centers often operate as separate entities, but they provide similar services to students. The placement of the writing center inside the library may provide opportunities for partnership. At Florida Gulf Coast University, the Humanities Librarian and the Writing Center Director decided to take advantage of their close proximity and observe each other's service desks. The authors identify five challenges common to librarians and writing consultants as well as cooperative solutions. Furthermore, an exploration of how other libraries and writing centers around the country are working together inspired additional avenues for collaboration.     

Part 1. If We Frame It,They Will Respond: Undergraduate Student Responses to the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education

There remains significant confusion surrounding the purpose, audience, and proposed application of the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. This exploratory study addresses the question of whether undergraduate students can understand the language and concepts in this document. By presenting student responses to pretest questions recorded at the beginning of a semester-long research methods course, this article shows that students can, even on first impression, begin to make sense of the complexity and richness found in the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.     

Expanding Outreach to a Unique User Community

Summary

For the past twenty-five years, the Slavic Reference Service has been providing specialized bibliographic and information reference service to the community of students, scholars, and librarians in the field of Slavic Studies. This service includes the verification, location, and acquisition of rare monographs and serials, and answering both ready-reference and in-depth research questions. The Internet and e-mail have provided a new medium by which we are able to expand our services both to our traditional community of users in the Slavic field, and also to the general public. The expansion of our services has cause us to reconsider our methods of providing reference service in a virtual reference environment.     

利用威客强化图书馆参考咨询服务的思考

威客模式的零门槛和价值驱动性的实现机制,使其在知识服务领域形成了一种“我帮人人、人人帮我”的交往模式,这种模式符合图书馆平等、开放、共享和“以读者为中心”的服务理念。通过构建图书馆威客网站,将威客模式引入参考咨询工作中,以期改变工作中存在的简单重复劳动、被动消极服务以及人力资源缺乏的局面。     

Faculty Expectations and the Adult Learner: Some Implications for Reference

Summary

In addition to the normal difficulties encountered when returning to the academic environment, adult students are expected to use a library that may be very different from the one they have used earlier. While some teaching faculty recognize that these students may need additional help to effectively use the library, others do not. This study investigated faculty expectations for adult students and the academic library. The majority of faculty surveyed believe students need instruction to develop familiarity with library resources and technology. Furthermore, the faculty are willing to work with librarians to ensure students gain these skills.