Register now for the Association of College and Research Libraries
(ACRL) Moodle Seminar:
"Virtual Reference Competencies III: Maintain and Build Reference
Skills and Knowledge"
November 24 - December 13, 2008
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/proftools/courses/virtualref3.cfm
(previous parts are not required for Part 3 if you have basic
chat/typing/communications skills)
Other courses listed at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/proftools/elearning.cfm
Without good communications skills a librarian will have a difficult
time being a good reference librarian. However, without solid
competence in reference skills and knowledge, a librarian is not a
librarian. This reference expertise is why information seekersall
potential and current library userswill choose to use virtual
reference services instead of just Googling on their own. Reference
competencies involve searching, critical thinking, and information
organization skills, as well as knowledge of specific reference
sources and information-finding tools. Competent reference librarians
are aware of the publication processes, both print and electronic,
and the policies, procedures, organization, and legal environment of
their specific library or library organization.
In this workshop participants will engage in learning activities,
supported by readings as well as lecture and discussion to maintain
and build on the reference competencies required by effective virtual
reference librarians.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, you will have:
* Ability to be approachable -- to maintain and project a
welcoming and enthusiastic reference service attitude through
text-based communications
* Awareness of and ability to apply organizational policies
relevant to any given user of a specific virtual reference service
* Detailed functional knowledge of ready-reference sources of
information, such as encyclopedias, almanacs, indices, bibliographies
and standard reference works in print and electronic formats
* Awareness of the best or core reference sources available in
print and electronic formats, and of the range of information
resources that may be used in the delivery of reference services for
selected subjects and general reference
* Ability to conduct good reference interviews, to analyze
reference questions using knowledge of the structures, organization,
and accessibility of information in print and electronic formats
* Awareness of the need to and ability to evaluate information
resources for their appropriateness in level, scope, and format for a
given user
* Ability to develop effective and flexible search strategies
including keyword and Boolean searching in library catalogs, licensed
databases, and Web search engines
* Awareness of the scope and limitations of Web search engines
* Ability to perform advanced searches in at least one major Web
search engine (e.g., Google, Ask.com, Yahoo!)
* Awareness of the scope and limitations of and the ability to
use freely accessible Web reference tools (e.g., Wikipedia, IMDb,
Crime Library)
* Awareness of the need and the ability to evaluate information
quality of Web published information, but also to think critically
about all sources of information
* Awareness of the fee-based or licensed databases accessible to
both the virtual reference librarian and any given user of virtual
reference services
o Detailed functional knowledge of the fee-based or
licensed databases accessible to both the virtual reference librarian
and any given user of virtual reference services
* Awareness of how and where to search local holdings information
for print and electronic resources
* Awareness of how and where to search the catalogs of other
libraries and library organizations
* Awareness of and ability to apply the available options for
appropriate information referrals
Audience:
Librarians and Library paraprofessionals who want to assess and
improve their communications skills for virtual reference services or
for those who are training librarians and library paraprofessionals
in communications skills for virtual reference services.
Some basic reference service experience is assumed. Level of
instruction is beginners or for those training beginners in providing
virtual reference services.
Participants should know how to use e-mail and a current standard Web
Browser Firefox, Netscape 7.0, Safari or IE 5.5 or higher is
preferred.
INSTRUCTOR
Diane Kovacs, author of The Virtual Reference Handbook: Interview and
Information Delivery Techniques for the Chat and E-Mail Environments
Neal-Schuman Publishers (2007) published concurrently in the United
Kingdom by Facet Publishers (2007) Additional Biographical
Information is available at <http://www.kovacs.com/dianevita.html>
REGISTRATION
Registration for this seminar is now open. For additional information
and a link to the online registration form, visit:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/proftools/courses/virtualref3.cfm
ACRL member: $135
ALA member: $175
CACUL member: Can$195 (charges will be made in U.S. dollars)
Nonmember: $195
Student: $60
********
ACRL is a division of the American Library Association (ALA),
representing more than 13,000 academic and research librarians and
interested individuals. ACRL is the only individual membership
organization in North America that develops programs, products and
services to meet the unique needs of academic and research
librarians. Its initiatives enable the higher education community to
understand the role that academic libraries play in the teaching,
learning and research environments.
-- Diane K. Kovacs, Web Teacher - http://www.kovacs.com diane@kovacs.com or diane.kovacs@gmail.com (Gtalk or e-mail) AIM & Yahoo: SaintsMrsDi - MSN - diane@kovacs.com Di Wind in Second Life
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