vrd san antonio november 2003

Integrating Information Literacy Issues into Virtual Reference Services.: 

Integrating Information Literacy Issues into Virtual Reference Services.

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Introduction The extension of Internet leading to an information society  The unambiguous focus on reference service as ready reference We suggest considerations to change the focus of research based on implementing research in information literacy into virtual reference services in the public libraries Recommendations for improvement Future research perspectives

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The Progress of Technology The extension of Internet Focus on the quality of ready reference factual, user satisfaction and relations between the organisation and the performance of the librarians Recent articles a shift from answering simple users questions to focusing on instruction or information literacy (Tyckoson 2003; Janes 2003)

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Definition of Reference Service Green (1876) emphasizing to teach the users how to use the library “Persons who use a popular library for purposes of investigation generally need a great deal of assistance.” Moore (1996) and Ferguson (1997) the core service is to answer peoples question Mackenzie Owen (1996) emphasizing support and use of information

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Methods for Supporting the Users Personal assistance Help / support Subject guides Instruction

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Consequenses for Research and Practice Improved conditions for non-professional information seeking problems finding the appropriate information for their information need. Focus on critical thinking How can we, in virtual reference services, apply instruction; help users find relevant information; and help them to evaluate this information

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The Categories of Services Information services Value adding services Communication services Transaction services

Categories of Reference Services on Library Web Sites: 

Categories of Reference Services on Library Web Sites Fig. 1 Categories of Reference Services

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Definition of the Services I Information Services ”to retrieve sorted and classified information on demand” Inclusion of resources Organisation of resources Collection policy Selection criteria

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Definition of the Services II Value-adding Services Emphasis on librarian expertise Emphasis on users’ selection of information resources Annotations Search facility Help Facilities Instruction

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Definition of the Services III Communication Services ”to interact with individuals or groups of people” ”Ask the librarian” service Discussion fora

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Definition of the Services IV Transaction Services ”to aquire products or services on-line or to submit data” Reservations Renewals Proposals Etc.

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Library Instruction Library tours Orientations Catalogue Classroom Workshops Individual / groups

Information Literacy: 

Information Literacy Fig. 2 Information literacy models

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Information Literacy in Academic Libraries Collaboration with faculty Web-based tutorials (Dewald 1999a) Course-related Active learning Collaborative More than one medium Clear objectives Concepts Ask-the-librarian

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Learning underlying Information Literacy Constructivism Experience Inquiry Information seeking Construction Motivation Interaction

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Web-Based Learning Technology Flexibility Absence of dialogue Development of the learning environment “Too often, our sense of what we can accomplish in our instructional program is overblown. Perhaps we think that, once taught, they will be fine on their own…. On the other hand, we know that the information landscape is constantly and rapidly changing….(Lipow 2003)”

Information Literacy in Public Libraries 1: 

Information Literacy in Public Libraries 1 Fig. 3 The inequalities between users of academic and public libraries

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Information Literacy in Public Libraries 2 Research study (Johnson 2002) Demonstrates that most research is related to academic libraries “..sustained instructional contact does not generally exist in the public library where populations are diverse and it is difficult to identify a commonality of backgrounds among users. The focus in the public library is on the independent individual library user and his or her unique needs" (Grassian 2001) A Danish qualitative study (Larsen 2002)

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Information Literacy in Public Libraries 3 Open society (Robinson & Bawden 2001) Daily life information seeking / problem solving (Savolainen 1995) Critical thinking (Kuhlthau 1993) Basic charges of education Learn in dynamic situations Manage information overload Find meaning in numerous and diverse messages Construct a personal understanding

Information Literacy and Reference Services in Public Libraries 1: 

Information Literacy and Reference Services in Public Libraries 1 Fig. 4 Stages in Development of Virtual Reference Services in Public Libraries

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Information Literacy and Reference Services in Public Libraries 2 We identify the skills for users of information in public libraries as extracted from figure (2) to be: Recognition of information need Construct strategies for locating information Search /Collection /Location and access Interpretation /Evaluate and extract Use of information Excluding the following Communication Presentation Process-evaluation

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Information Literacy and Reference Services in Public Libraries 3 No subject specialists Generic skills Select, evaluate, organize and present resources in their proper context Collaboration with the educational system

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Information Literacy and Reference Services in Public Libraries 4 Communication services ”Ask-a-librarian” Information need Acknowledgement of uncertainty and encouraging support Archive Short description of the search process

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Conclusion Instruction for promotion of information literacy is inappropriate in public libraries Reference services should prioritize the support of critical thinking in users’ evaluating and use of information For these purposes librarians should concentrate on: Selection, evaluation, organization, and annotations Help facilities Archives of answers Openness in collection policy and criteria for selection, annotations, etc. Holistic view in development of services Holistic view in future research

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Example from a Browsable Catalogue Rock Disco, Grunge, Rock'n roll, Rockabilly, Surf Country Bluegrass, Barndance, Country blues, Folk, Hillbilly, Skiffle, Squaredance, Tex-mex Rhythm & Blues Urban blues, Jump blues, New Orleans, Barrelhouse Soul Soul - vokal, Soul - instrumental, Funk Metal Black metal, Death metal, Gothic rock, Heavy metal, Heavy metal - vokal, Heavy rock, Neoklassisk heavy, Power metal, Punk, Ska, Støjrock, Trash metal Reggae Bluebeat, Dancehall, Drum'n'bass, Dub, Jamaica, Lovers rock, Ragamuffin, Ragga, Reggae - vokal, Rock steady, Roots reggae, Ska www.silkeborgbibliotek.dk/basil/musik/rock.html

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Example illustrating Daily Life Situations Your life Guidance, advice and support through key events in your life (12 themes) Having a baby Key facts for people who are thinking about having a baby, have just had one, or are expecting. Having a baby Starting a new school Advice to help you select the right school for your child. Starting a new school http://www.ukonline.gov.uk/YourLife/YourLife/fs/en

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Example of a Life Circle illustrating Daily Life Situations

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Selected references Dewald, Nancy H. (1999a) – Transporting Good Library Instruction Practices into the Web Environment: An Analysis of Online Tutorials. – Journal of Academic Librarianship, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 26-32. Grassian, Esther S. (2001) – Information literacy instruction: theory and practice / Esther S Grassian and Joan R. Kaplowitz. – New York : Neal-Shuman, 2001. – 468 pages. Hummelshoj, Marianne (2002) – Virtual Reference Services in Public Libraries: From "Access to" to "Use of " information. – The VRD 4th Annual Digital Reference Conference. November 11-12, 2002. Chicago. IL. Kuhlthau, Carol C. (1993) – Seeking meaning : A process approach to library and information services / Carol C. Kuhlthau. – New Jersey : Ablex, 1993. – 199 pages. Robinson, Lyn and David Bawden (2001) – Libraries, information and knowledge in open societies. – Nordinfo-Nytt, 2001, no. 2, pp. 21-30. Savolainen, Reijo (1995) – Everyday Life Information Seeking: Approaching Information Seeking in the Context of “Way of Life”. – Library and Information Science Research 17, no. 3 (Summer 1995), pp.259-294.