The Long-Haired Librarian

THIS BLOG HAS MOVED...

2007-03-21T09:14:00.000-04:00

... to ilit.wordpress.com/

Information Literacy Misinterpreted Again

2007-01-22T10:43:00.000-04:00

This article from The Washington Post came in through a library list serv. The author, an independent school librarian, laments over his students' lack of interest in reading. His attempts at piquing their interest with eye-catching posters and displays seems only to get the students halfway: watching the film version of the classic tale as opposed to reading the novel.

I agree with the author's assertion that students aren't interested in reading, and I have some very good reasons to agree. Other than personal observations from the reference desk and the Reading at Risk study, the National Freshman Attitudes report suggests that this trend continues from secondary school to college. I also communicate with some local school librarians who are very passionate about what they do and how they help their students become independent, lifelong learners. It's by talking with these librarians and my efforts to create a dialog between school and academic librarians that I've found a fundamental misunderstanding stagnating information literacy progress.

"Information Literacy " is currently a buzzword in the field of library science. But some librarians equate it, as this author does, to "mastering computer skills, not promoting a love of reading and books." While not completely inaccurate, this is a a gross paraphrase which leaves out the most important piece of information literacy.

Information literate people have mastered computer skills because those skills are crucial to retrieving even books (via the online card catalog). From observations and research we know that students can use computers effectively. These students have been exposed to computers from childhood and are masters of the mouse, keyboard and Internet. They may struggle with database searching at the start, but most "get it" with some practical experience. The fundamental skill information literacy instructors are trying to teach is, “Why/when should one use a database or a book or the Internet or consult with an information professional (librarian or otherwise).” We are not discouraging the use of ANY resource, rather we're trying to teach the students to consider their research options and evaluate ALL resources before using them to satisfy an information need. The root of information literacy is a new form of critical thinking that gets students to consider the research process. It is less hands on, and more theoretical than some librarians' definitions. We're not just re-naming bibliographic instruction or "library" instruction here...information literacy as a whole is a core competency that is getting more and more attention by organizations that can make a difference in its implementation in education in both primary and secondary schools and colleges.

I hear my librarians and faculty complain that students aren't using good sources (books, journals, magazines, newspapers), and they're saying the same things as school librarians and teachers. AASL and ACRL standards are eerily similar but the differences can create vast misunderstandings. So let's get on the same page with defining information literacy. I started a “Sister Libraries” project to do just that. Any support, criticism, or feedback about this project is welcome.

Library Website Hall of Fame

2007-01-10T10:57:00.000-04:00

While there's no methodology for the acceptance into the Library Website Hall of Fame (it is a wiki), there are some very attractive designs here with some very innovative uses of technology. I'll be brining this to the attention of my colleagues who are working on redesigning my library's web presence.

LetsPowWow

2006-12-15T16:10:00.001-04:00

I just had a virtual meeting today with a colleague using LetsPowWow. This is a free downloadable app. It has a chat window thats very much like an IM client like AIM, but what makes this free tool really cool is it's ability for one user (of the up to 10 users) to give over control of his or her desktop. This was especially helpful to this meeting because my colleague and I were discussing graphic design elements of library signage and posters.

The only thing I wish LetsPowWow had is voip ability. With two people it wasn't necessary, but in a larger group the IM text could get overwhelming rapidly.

Winging It

2006-12-07T11:29:00.000-04:00

With the increasing pressure from accrediting bodies and now the federal government to focus on measuring student learning it is becoming more important for instruction librarians to perhaps reconsider their teaching models.

Is a librarian's ability to "wing" an instruction session a detriment to student learning? I'm a strong believer in establishing learning objectives before teaching anything, but I admit to winging instruction sessions that I'm familiar with. A librarian may choose to go unprepared for numerous reasons. He may feel he's too busy to prepare. He may feel he's doing himself and the students a favor by maintaining the ability stay on his toes.

This instructional flexibility is especially important when an attentive/interested faculty member attends the session. Many times a faculty member with good questions/intentions completely side tracks an instruction session.

Meebo proves me a fool

2006-11-16T13:10:00.000-04:00

Wow, I amaze myself sometimes. So I see a meeboguest on my blog and decide to send him/her a message asking for thoughts/input on The Long-Haired Librarian. I sent an IM but got no response for a while. I can see this person's been on my blog for 8 minutes and I'm wondering, "Hmmm, is what I'm blogging this interesting?!"

Now I notice the Firefox tab pointed at my blog. DER! I was IM'ing myself!

Boy Scouts Learn Copyright Law

2006-11-02T09:38:00.000-04:00

This is now old news, but a couple of weeks ago an article was published in the L.A. Times and was discussed on NPR. Boy Scouts receive an anti-piracy activity patch after learning the basics of copyright law. They can tour a movie studio so that they appreciate the effort that goes into the creation of a film.

I think making the visit to the studio is a great idea. It makes the interaction between the viewer (and potential pirate) and the film more personal. It would be applicable for the boy scouts to also meet a struggling musical artist, too.

Sirsi...RSS...Someone's Finally Doin' It!

2006-10-23T09:32:00.000-04:00

Post to follow soon!

Meebo

2006-10-23T09:27:00.000-04:00

Well, I've given up on Trillian. It's not that I didn't love Trillian, it's just that I Meebo is just so danged much better! It's totally web-based and runs in a browser. Meebo also has these cool widgets to embed in html. Check out my widget in the sidebar under my blogger profile. If I'm online, send me a message (or reference question)!

2006-10-16T11:22:00.001-04:00

I've been ridiculously busy lately, and my posts have been few and far between. Here's what I've been thinking about lately:

Using Meebo as a replacement for Trillian. Now I can take my I.M. contacts with me wherever I go. Sweet. This may make selling it to librarians easier since there's no software to install etc.

Why are we using online assessments of information literacy (ETS and SAILS) when the instruction provided is in the classroom? I'm beginning to believe that, although it's convenient to assess student learning electronically, there are many advantages to assessing in the classroom. I will elaborate soon!

The perfect library Facebook group. Since Facebook has begun shutting down library profiles my institution has begun a group with the librarians as adminsistrators. While this is not as ideal as an "open" group, it seems to be the only way to control who posts what on our wall, discussion board, pictures etc.

Library Thing's Efficacy in Libraries

2006-09-06T14:04:00.000-04:00

I'd been thinking of an application like this since I heard about Library Thing. Though this will only work with new books, what a great prelude/appetizer for the new RSS-ready OPAC's like III.

I'm back baby!

2006-09-01T14:22:00.000-04:00

Dang, it's been a while since my last post. I'm still kickin', and not to sound like a broken record...I missed teaching so much!

Taught my first group of students this week at the new job (Statistics Graduate students). I hadn't realized how much I missed it!

Library Signs

2006-09-01T14:15:00.000-04:00

This has been just about blogged to death this week, but I must weigh in. I'm not particuarly fond of library signage simply because most of it is boring which just confirms some patrons' views of the "boring" library.

But these signs are awesome! Witty, eye catching, and practical. I especially like the door knob hanger (which could be distributed in the dorms).

Consumer Information Literacy

2006-06-12T11:59:00.001-04:00

Has anyone else noticed the utter nonsense words being used to peddle shampoo lately? My wife and I have discussed this nonchalantly in the past, but I just realized a possible tie-in to information literacy.

Here's an example from my showering experience this morning: I use Fructis' Sleek and Shine hair products. Every bottle of Fructis claims it contains "nutritive micro oils." What the heck is a nutritive micro oil?!

The American Heritage Dictionary defines nutritive as, "1. Nutritious; nourishing. 2. Of or relating to nutrition." Etymologically speaking, the term comes from the same Latin root as the common nomenclature "nutritious" which means to nurse or suckle. Why does Fructis use an uncommon word for a common purpose? Does "nutritive" sounds more appealing to consumers? It sounds made up to me.

Let's move on to "fruit micro oils." Research exists that proves certain plant oils, namely juniper berry oil, posses antibacterial qualities, but I've been unable to pinpoint any research extolling the benefits of "fruit micro oils" to hair/scalp care.

Product marketing directors have an obligation to provide accurate descriptions of their products.

"New Media" & Information Literacy

2006-04-20T16:42:00.000-04:00

I don't know how I came across this a week ago, but I really didn't give this site as thorough a look as I should have. This time I received the link from a listserv, and I knew it couldn't be coincidence so I went back for a closer inspection.

These guys have some great ideas! I mean, this is stuff I've been thinking in the back of my mind for a while, but I hadn't the ability to express it so eloquently. Also, I've just now realized that our project of creating online information literacy tutorials is an exercise in adapting "new media" to info. lit.

I'd also never considered how "new media" becomes such. Ie., what is "new media"? (I love the discussion of the terms' etymology!) Is it just video iPods, Blackberry's, Streaming video, Increasing broadband access, etc or have these "new media" evoloved from "older media"?

Using IM Bots as V.R.

2006-04-17T12:45:00.000-04:00

Something that just occurred to me... For those libraries using popular instant messaging software as a virtual reference tool, how about using IM bots as automated search help while in db's or the library catalog? This isn't a new idea, but now that Conversagent is being implemented by increasingly numerous for-profit organizations I think libraries should try it. Again, if only I had some of that elusive "free time," this would be a fun project.

PodStories

2006-04-04T14:38:00.000-04:00

I'd thought of this as a public library service when I first heard of podcasting. What a great way to provide outreach to children and parents who can't make it to the scheduled story time at the library. Also useful as a supplement to the bedtime story when Mom and Dad are exhausted/tire of reading the same story night after night!

I'm a Geek (surprise, surprise)

2006-04-03T18:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm sure those who know me personally will not protest, but my score was 48/60! Prospective employers, please keep in mind: this is not a scientific survey!

I actually found this survey while reading "Who's Building the Next Web?" The term "Next Web" is synonymous with Web 2.0 I suppose. Anyways, I was already aware of some of these startups (like Plum, I can't wait for that one), but the rest were news to me. I think any company that contributes to making technology a seamless and integral part of our lives is "building the next web."

I worry that I may need to plan more primitive camping trips (no cell phone, no camp grounds, no nothing electronic) to balance out my techie lifestyle. Will the wilderness soon be crowded full of 20-something geeks trying to "get away?!"

Everything is Information Literacy

2006-03-15T10:59:00.000-04:00

I've come to realize that nearly everything I do when interacting with students is ultimately information literacy. Now. I don't mean info. lit. in it's purest definition (whatever that may be). What I'm trying to say is, I realize that I can't teach a student to effectively search a database in 50 minutes. I can give the student some tools (like understanidng controlled terms, using a thesaurus, and getting Boolean with it), but 50 minutes is hardly enough time. So, relating to my last post, I just try to get the student to come back to the library for more help using my charming personality and ability to relate to their needs.

Rambling About Goals

2006-03-08T20:36:00.000-04:00

A well respected member of the faculty just stopped by my office to wish me farewell, While we were talking I realized (perhaps a little late) what my subconscious goal at HCC has been. Humans usually set goals before embarking on projects, but sometimes it's hindsight that makes us realize our true goals. My true goal has been to connect with the students.

As the only librarian on this campus, I’ve been so busy that I didn’t even realize that this was my main goal. I had goals of implementing an IM-based chat reference service, creating a classroom for library instruction sessions, breaking some librarian/library stereotypes, and basically gaining some professional experience.

How do I connect with the students? I love my students and I think it shows: I don't talk above them, I smile and wave, I listen and give advice, I crack jokes in instruction sessions, I don’t overwhelm them with sources for their research papers, I have the latest Mary J Blige album and roll into the parking lot with my system up, and I sure as hell don’t look like a librarian, I look more like a student (eg. blog title and profile). I have a ton of duties in this position, but I put interaction with my students before all else.

One of my unofficial mottos since taking this job has been, "whatever gets them through the door," and you can take that one to the bank. There've been more "regular customers" in this library since who knows when, and our usage has been up steadily. We’ve also done more official library instruction than ever before. So I guess I’ve realized my ulterior goal of connecting with the students, and I succeeded at accomplishing it. Because before you can teach them anything you’ve got to make a connection.

God I’m gonna miss this job!

Podcast without the Pod

2006-02-24T11:32:00.000-04:00

This is the audio commentary .mp3 of an online tutorial I created to test Macromedia's Captivate.

Social Machines

2006-01-30T15:13:00.000-04:00

As the web becomes more integrated into everyday life, it seems that it increasingly reflects human beings' social machinery. This article makes some observations I'm sure many of us were thinking subconsciously, but a lot of the observations hadn't occurred to me.

One particuarly thought provoking quote, "'I feel uneasy about the word 'computing'...have we passed computing?'" I think we have. "Computing" was sooo '90's. Your biggest, most powerful web device might be your laptop, but so many other lifestyle appliances are smaller and more integral than ever before. It seems the word "computing" really doesn't come close to describing what most people are doing with the web. I agree with Hannu Leinonen when he says, "It sounds like counting." You don't have a computer just to do your taxes and make spreadsheets.

Evaporation of Physical Academic Libraries

2006-01-26T18:11:00.000-04:00

<---CAREFUL! This is linked to a PDF doc.--->

Proof that this is a topic in mainstream academia...published in Educause this time.

LOCKSS in CLOCKSS

2006-01-26T18:01:00.000-04:00

LOCKSS made a lot of sense to me when I researched it a couple of years ago. This is its implementation at some very large, prestigious libraries with some big-hitting publisher sponsors. Sweet.

Didn't realize how much I missed...

2006-01-25T12:25:00.000-04:00

...teaching until the beginning of this semester rolled around. This is always the busiest time for library instruction, and the end of the semester is the slowest. Before the winter break, I was consumed with preparing workshops, finishing reports, and placing that final book order of the calendar year.
After a stressful break, coming back to work seemed daunting, but I've found that I really missed interacting with my students in a class-like setting. It's helped me blow off steam by cracking jokes (to an audience other than my dog), and seeing comprehension in my students eyes is always uplifting and edifying.