Library-Led Faculty Workshops: Helping Distance Educators Meet Information Literacy Goals in the Online Classroom

ABSTRACT

At University of Maryland University College (UMUC), librarians have designed and led a number of multiday, asynchronous online workshops for faculty. The workshops teach faculty how to meet information literacy goals in the virtual classroom. Through hands-on activities and discussion among their colleagues, participants in the faculty workshops learn about the university's information literacy standards, library resources and services, free Web tools, and how best to design class assignments involving library research. Library-led faculty workshops at UMUC have increased library visibility and furthered collaboration between faculty and librarians. This article discusses 5 workshops, detailing workshop content and logistics and demonstrating how librarians can help distance faculty further information literacy goals for students.     

Introduction to Using Excel® Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts to Increase Efficiency in Library Data Analysis and Illustration

ABSTRACT

Excel® offers powerful features that can spare its users countless hours of tedious and unnecessary effort. Pivot tables and pivot charts are robust tools that can streamline the work of analyzing library data, making it nearly instantaneous, visually engaging, and efficient. Although electronic resource usage statistics will be used for illustrative purposes, countless types of data in a tabular format are suited to the application of pivot tables and pivot charts. This article will discuss background and approaches for using these tools, followed by a companion article that will demonstrate essential techniques and applications.     

Seeking Meaning: Capturing Patron Experience Through a User Survey

ABSTRACT

A well-crafted localized survey is an excellent opportunity to efficiently collect data about library user feelings and experiences on a large scale. 800 undergraduate students and employees of a mid-sized public university responded to an online survey about their feelings on library space, communication, services, and collections. Employing a variety of question types, the authors sought to include measures that would yield both pertinent and meaningful feedback. Results were analyzed and prioritized by significance and librarians culled the results for actionable findings and opportunities for further study or long-term benchmarking.     

Libraries and Consortia: What Will Libraries Pay For?

This article discusses affordability of member dues in library consortia and what services consortia can provide to increase their value to libraries.     

Common Carrier

50 TEARS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORTS (Telecommunications Reports, 1036 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045—$100)

THE NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS ERA AFTER THE AT&T DIVESTITURE: THE TRANSITION TO FULL COMPETITION (Practising Law Institute, 810 Seventh Ave, New York 10019—$40.00, paper)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS & PUBLIC POLICY by Alan Bauchcum and Gerald Faulhaber (Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1984—price not given)

BILINGUAL DICTIONARY OF INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS: 2. TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT by Andy Lauriston and Jocelyne Le Neal (Teleglobe Canada, Language Service, 680 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2S4—$70.00 in Canadian funds)

CELLULAR TELEPHONES: A LAYMAN'S GUIDE by Stuart Crump, Jr. (Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books, 1985—$9.95, paper)

COMPUTER CRIME, ABUSE, LIABILITY AND SECURITY: A COMPREHENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY 1970-1984 compiled by Reba A. Best and D. Cheryn Picquet (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1985—$33.00, paper)     

Learn something new in 20 minutes: Bite Size sessions to support research and teaching

The School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) at The University of Sheffield run an innovative series of informal 20‐minute Bite Size sessions to help staff and students teach, research, collaborate and communicate more effectively. The sessions have two clear strands: one focused on teaching and the other on research. The remit is not to teach people how to use something in their work or study, but to let them know why they should use it and how they can employ it. By introducing participants to the possibilities and how they can apply ideas and technologies in their work and study in an enthusiastic manner, it is possible to send them away with at least the intention to explore and experiment. The evidence shows that this organic approach is working – staff and students are starting to use many of the tools that Bite Size has covered. Any kind of widespread change within organisations can be hard to deliver, but by bringing champions on your side and delivering sessions in a convenient, informal and timely manner; good practice and ideas can spread naturally. H.S.