Blog #8

Reflecting on the past readings and discussion of this course, I think what I find even more valuable than the type of resources out there and readily available to users, is the skills needed in order to communicate effectively. I think in library careers (as in a lot of other professions) personnel may have impeccable knowledge on a given subject, but maybe lack people skills or just are not great communicators. I think it is very important in any learning environment, that the educators be willing and able to convey clear, concise messages.

It is true that one of the major responsibilities of a library is to instruct the patrons in using library resources (such as online databases or how to search the Internet). However, even in this course, a majority of these teachings/lessons are online. This is of course great for, not only students, but in other forms of library instruction (ie webinars for library staff), and to the average library patron.

So, in thinking about library instruction, what's going on? Well, personally I have participated in library instruction as a student and patron, and in a work setting, outside of this class. As a student, I have used various online guides on how to use different catatlogs, online tutorials, and/or resources. My conclusion to these online tutorials; is that if they weren't well written or prepared in a user friendly fashion (aka communicated the messages directly), I would have been frustrated or confused as to how to use them.

The assignments in this class have definitely prepared me for the prospect of teaching others. Not only do I know the importance of learning and the steps it takes to clearly convey messages, but I have experience as a learner. I know the importance of communication both by being a student, and a user to database searches. I do feel I have learned how to use library resources better as a result of this class, as well as other library classes taken at LBCC. I can envision teaching library skills to patrons in my line of library business, because, I can absorb what forms of resources are available, apply their individual uses (by personal use) and take what I learn to a different and higher level by relaying those uses to others. It also is a one up for me that I am a people person and like to educate others.

Bolg #7

BLOG REFLECTION #7 TOPICMost definitely over the past few weeks we have come across and used various resources for statistical data and/or factual information. Knowing where to look for what is a lot more comforting than not knowing where to go say to determine the poverty rate of a third world country. It takes practice and help from other sources in order to obtain the skills it takes to be a good researcher. The conclusion I’ve come up with, is that it helps to be on the other side of the reference desk in order to completely understand a researches needs, frustrations, and how to go about getting the answer(s) needed.
For instance, I now know that most websites w/a URL ending in .gov is most likely a reputable source. Like The World Factbook on the CIA’s website (fyi-answers to obscure third world questions can be found here!). We've also used other various resources put together by government agencies (again the .gov ending) to research statistics and country information around the world.
We've also used websites such as http://www.lii.org to search for other reputable sources. Just simply knowing this website exists is a great start to finding other means of locating an answer to a particle research question and/or topic. Applying this knowledge and actually using the various sources w/in the website has helped put ease into the whole research process. I now know other reference sources outside of an Almanac and Dictionary. It’s great and empowering. I not only know who to help myself, but I know how to help others as well.
Knowing where to go is great and has allowed me to have gained confidence in my quest to use various ref. sources in order to adequately help a patron in need.
So, if I had to instruct a patron who wanted to use electronic/Internet resources for researching a topic, I first get a feel for the extent of the patron’s computer skills and/or familiarity w/the databases offered. I would do this by asking prompting questions (Have you used our databases before? Do you have a library card? Have you accessed any databases at home?) etc. Once I get a feel for the patron’s comfort level, I would then precede the research process by guiding the patron while they take the driver seat. Based on the type of research I would give a short tutorial on what the various databases contain (very brief, but I would already know what the research topic is/was by asking and then proceed to an relevant source from there).
I would recommend (in the following order) the various sources below:

1) Subscription research databases offered through library access such as Facts on File, Gale, etc. – tons of info. for a wide variety of research topics
2) Government sponsored (.gov) data and information websites – depending of course on the type of research topic – great for simple facts re. the U.S. and /or World
3) ProQuest or another electronic journal/newspaper index such as EBSCO – great for past periodicals or event specific research topics
4) LII.org -- great for finding reputable sources based on various catagories
5) Encyclopedia Brittanica.com subscription offered through library access
6) Encyclopedia.com – only if answer is not found anywhere else
7) Searching via their favorite search engine *
8) Wikipedia -- Not recommended!
*This can be dangerous, but if an answer can be obtained from Yahoo or Google via a reputable source w/in the search…than its ok. I think doing this takes skill and practice to ensure the sources contain accurate information.