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
