What Students Remember About Librarians.
Last month, the Huffington Post Canada featured a post by Teacher/Blogger Lori Gard, asking readers to reflect on what they “remember most” about their teachers. Although her discussion is directed at a more traditional teacher student relationship, the topic begs the question – when our students look back at their experiences in the library, what will they remember most about librarians? Will they remember Boolean operators and advanced search strategies? Interlibrary loan or express printing stations? Perhaps. Or, at least we hope! But they will certainly remember the person that took the time to help answer their questions and made them feel heard.
As we begin our spring semesters and commence the inevitable instruction sessions and references exchanges, perhaps it might do us well to take a moment to reflect on Lori’s advice. “Because we want our students to think we’re the very best at what we do and we believe that this status of excellence is achieved merely by doing. But we forget – and often. Excellence is more readily attained by being. Being available. Being kind. Being compassionate.Being transparent. Being real.Being thoughtful.Being ourselves.”
This spring, how will you be?
Image c/o Washing State Libraries and Aaron J. Louie
Reflecting on the Standards
Communications in Information Literacy has just published “Reflecting on the Standards,” a special issue examining the proposed changes to the ACRL Information Literacy Standards. The scope and range of authors and topics selected by issue editor Robert Schroeder is amazing. As Schroeder notes in his editorial:
This special issue of CIL does not consist of a single comprehensive program or plan to revise the Standards; instead, it includes a wide range of worthy and provocative ideas from our colleagues in the information literacy community. Some contributors to this issue have written extensively about information literacy in the past, and some may be new to readers. Some of the contributed ideas dovetail nicely, while other suggestions are mutually exclusive.
In this issue, readers will be introduced to the ways in which the information search process and threshold concepts might inform new standards. Readers will see how metaliteracy, digital literacy, and e-science intersect with information literacy; they will learn what the British models of information literacy and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Standards for the 21st Century Learner might add to the conversation. Readers will also find articles that look at the Standards in the larger contexts of assessment, politics, values, or marketing. In addition, readers will encounter authors who advise caution with any revision of the Standards.
I was delighted to see the article by Ellysa Cahoy Stern, Craig Gibson, and Trudi Jacobson, titled “Moving Forward: A Discussion on the Revision of the ACRL Information Literacy Standards for Higher Education” — really a transcript of their discussion that took place at the first PA Forward Information Literacy Summit held at the Pennsylvania State University July 24, 2013 (and which I moderated). Cahoy, past chair of the ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards Committee, and the ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards Review Task Force, and Gibson and Jacobson, current co-chairs of the ACRL Information Literacy Standards Revision Task Force, discussed the process by which the Standards came to be under review, some of the issues involved in the review, and the time line for the review and librarian feedback and comment on the process. Their articles provides essential background and context for the impending changes.
I am planning on thoroughly reading (and reflecting on) the entire issue. Schroeder has selected a very balanced group of articles, presenting some legitimate concerns and critiques as well as positive aspects about the changes to the ACRL standards. The abstract for Heidi Jacobs’ article, “Minding the Gaps: Exploring the Space Between Vision and Assessment in Information Literacy Work” sums up the opportunity/threat we are facing:
Regardless of what the review yields, the [revision] process is an excellent opportunity for us to think broadly and creatively about the Standards and to remember that they are not a fixed set of rules but a malleable and evolving document. Asking questions about the practical, pedagogical, and theoretical implications of the Standards and considering alternative approaches will yield engaging, fruitful, and necessary conversations not only about the teaching of information literacy but about our role as librarians within the educational mandates of our institutions.
Call for submissions for March issue of PaLRaP
Pennsylvania Libraries: Research & Practice (PaLRaP) is now accepting submissions for research, practice, and commentary articles and for news items for the March 2014 issue. Manuscripts are welcomed at any time; however, for full consideration for the March 2014 issue, please submit your manuscripts by January 15, 2014. See palrap.org for submission guidelines.
PaLRaP is a peer reviewed, online, open access publication of the Pennsylvania Library Association’s College & Research Division. This journal will provide an opportunity for librarians in Pennsylvania to share their knowledge and experience with practicing librarians across the Commonwealth and beyond. It includes articles from all areas of librarianship, with a special focus on activities in Pennsylvania’s academic libraries.
When available, audio and video content will supplement text based documents.
Published biannually: March and October
Editors: Tom Reinsfelder, PennStateUniversity – Mont Alto; John Barnett, University of Pittsburgh
Peer reviewers: Members of the Pennsylvania library community.
Free Workshop – Storytelling Skills for More Effective Communication
A free workshop funded by the
Penn State University Libraries Innovation Microgrant Program
Monday, November 25, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(Registration: 9:30 a.m. to 9:59 a.m.)
Penn State Hazleton – Hazleton, PA 18202
Evelyn Graham Academic Building
Storytelling isn’t limited to “once upon a time.”
Libraries can use the power of storytelling to communicate more effectively. Stories are better heard, understood, and remembered which is increasingly important in this distracted digital age. Join us for a half-day workshop to learn the influence of storytelling and leave inspired and energized with exciting ideas and practical skills.
The workshop will begin with short participatory exercises led by Mr. Michael Kattner to jumpstart participants into actively exploring storytelling skills. This will be followed by Mr. Harley Newman and Dr. Lora Taub-Pervizpour who will each have a combination of lecture, videos, and hands-on exercises. A question-and-answer session with both speakers will conclude the program. If you have a tablet computer, please bring it with you.
A light lunch will be provided.
Registration deadline is Friday, November 8th.
To register, complete the form at http://goo.gl/3SxHVw
The second issue of PaLRaP is here!
We are excited to announce that Vol 1 No. 2 of Pennsylvania Libraries: Research & Practice (PaLRaP) has been published and is now available for you to read!
The newest volume includes articles about millennials and mentoring, online job tutorials, electronic reference stats, getting students’ attention with interactive gaming, open source, training with technology, and more. Also, don’t forget to register on the site if you would like to comment on articles and/or receive new issue announcements.
Visit www.palrap.org to view Volume 1, No 2, and to view the inaugural issue as well.
