Linguistic & Literate Librarian Carmaine Ternes Emporia High School Librarian.
Closer Than You Think: Librarian Perceptions vs. User Needs
32
Session title here Closer Than You Think: Librarian Perceptions of User Needs
-
Upload
charleston-conference -
Category
Documents
-
view
289 -
download
3
Transcript of Closer Than You Think: Librarian Perceptions vs. User Needs
Session title here
Closer Than You Think: Librarian Perceptions of User Needs
Confidential 3
What is the most important capability of online reference?
A. Appropriate for citation in student work
B. Discovery outside the library (search engines, virtual learning environments, social networks)
C. Linking to other library resources
D. Linkage to free web content
E. Quality of Content
What is the biggest challenge your users face?
A. Finding a starting point for their researchB. Finding appropriate resources for their needsC. Overwhelmed by too much contentD. Putting their chosen topic into contextE. Understanding the vocabulary around their
topic
Survey of 1,000 students…
What is hardest about doing research for school?
A. Finding appropriate resourcesB. Overwhelmed by too much contentC. Putting my chosen topic into contextD. Understanding the vocabulary around my topicE. Finding a starting point for my research
What is most important to you in an online resource?
A. Available to me outside the library (search engines, social networks, Blackboard, etc.)
B. Easy linking to other trusted sources, like library databases
C. Easy to use interfaceD. Linking to free web contentE. Quality of contentF. Source can be cited in my bibliography
The results…
What is the most important capability of online reference?
Quality of Content
50.5% and 48.6%Easy to use interface
20.6% and 7.10%
Source can be cited in my bibliography9% and 17.9%
Available to me outside the library (search engines, social networks, Blackboard, etc.)
7.4% and 8.7%Easy linking to other trusted sources,
like library databases5.6% and 12.6%
What is hardest about doing research for school?
Finding appropriate resources
43.5% and 36.6%
Finding a starting point for my research19.2% and 19.3%
Overwhelmed by too much content17.4% and 19.1%
Putting my chosen topic into context9.2% and 15.5%
Understanding the vocabulary around my topic
6.7% and 3.3%
What is hardest about doing research for school?
context, overwhelmed, lack of time
Narrowing extensive content to relevant content.
Not knowing how to navigate through the resources
Insuring that all important and relevant resources have been
looked at.
Information Literacy
Marrying Librarian Perceptions with User Need
• Became increasingly important in late 1970s with new field of Information Literacy
• In time, standards for different disciplines were introduced and focused on basic research skills, information evaluation, and appropriate bibliographic citing of references
• With advent of digital resources, information literacy became a more serious role for librarians
Tripartite Librarian Roles
• In academic libraries most subject librarians participate in the following activities and are responsible for service in:– Providing reference services, now being conducted via
digital communications, individual consultation, and for walk-in users via a Reference Desk setup
– Engage in instruction & outreach to classes, individual students where librarians are responsible to compliment faculty teaching & assignments
• Support research through collections & outreach– Serve as bibliographers to build & maintain collections
in all formats within defined scope & budget
Changes on the horizon• Expectations of digital as the format of choice• Reshaping traditional reference collections to
be more digital• Users less eager to use print• All books & resources are potential reference
sources – using the “find” command• Linking citations to content management
systems• Mobile applications are on the rise in popularity
Issues with online reference tools for Librarians & Users:
•Compatibility - with Google or Wikipedia products
•Discoverability - – outside of OPACs, (i.e. Subject Guides, browsability, searchability, clickability)
•Legitimacy – credibility and authority control
•Transferability – filters to citation tools (BMS), supports cut & paste
•Remote access is easy
•Usage increasingly dictates collection – patron driven models – reference may not be different commodity
Challenges & Benefits for the Library
• Transition to digital resources is expensive & does not include everything– Backfiles – why buy again in a new format content already in
collections (print, microforms, VHS, etc)– Economics – available (declining) budgets & sustainability – Reconfiguring space is new norm in libraries to support
collaboration, innovation and study space– Providing assistance in evaluating information & how to use and
apply content– Promoting new & emerging technologies – moving target
• Short term vs long term planning - Responding to current needs
If Reference content is ONLY available in print and price is not a consideration, how likely are you to purchase or acquire it?
A. Yes, if it fits collection profile
B. Unlikely if use is not guaranteed – for specific users or required by assignment
C. Will pass & see if an eFormat emerges
D. Will seek alternative content in digital formatE. Definitely not – only seeking to grow Reference
collection digitally
say what?!
the desktopgo beyond
stop shushing and start…
sharing
with the earmuffsOFF
friendly, flexible, facilitators
cc image credits
handy little iPhone by Leeks at http://www.flickr.com/photos/observatoryleak/3187926964/
Help by LiminalMike at http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcyborg/5228173/
It's Quatchi!! Pt. 2 by Bensonkua at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensonkua/3258958203/
Connected by julian nistea at http://www.flickr.com/photos/inistea/4075566557/
SHH by Elizabeth Welsh at http://www.flickr.com/photos/subtleromance/4018064852/
If You’re Not Confused by B Tal at http://www.flickr.com/photos/b-tal/163450213/
Session title here
Questions?
Session title here
Continue the conversation….
http://corp.credoreference.com/charleston
