ProCon.org — for students after graduation

I was zooming along in my clown-car this morning, on my way to work, when I heard mention on NPR of a website & organization on that provides access to opposing viewpoints on controversial issues.  Having been an Instructional Services Librarian and now a Health Sciences Information Specialist, I know that students face the dilemma of decreased access to authoritative, peer-reviewed information that we push them to consult and construct their opinions with when they’re in college.

I am curious as to how ProCon can be used to foster critical thinking and inspire curiosity in students who, upon graduation, are refused access to the information resources that academia pushes and convinces us are reputable and trustworthy.

Timing of Research Inquiries

Really interesting post on Academic Librarian –especially for librarians working with undergraduates and writing faculty.

Health Science Librarians of Illinois article

I was lucky to receive 1 of 3 scholarships to attend a regional health sciences librarians conference in Lisle, IL this past October.

In order to receive reimbursement for my conference registration and 1 night’s stay at the conference hotel, I had to write an article that discussed my impressions of the conference.

Here it is! I had so much fun!

Library Instruction & Youtube’s “Search Stories”

Youtube allows you to create your own “Search Story” video. Essentially, it is an online search-strategy tutorial that could be used for teaching undergraduates how to perform effective searching techniques. These techniques would be translatable to searching in article databases and library catalogs; but students would start on familiar grounds.  I love it!

Once logged into Youtube, you can simply do a search for:

search story

or click here.

You are then prompted to enter keywords and search terms into 5 different search boxes.

Next to each search box, you have the ability to select if Google/Youtube will search: web, images, products, blogs, etc.

Finally, you are asked to customize your “theme music” and give your video a name. Once you finalize your video, you can upload it like you would any other video. Follow the “upload” prompts by logging in to your account and clicking on “upload.”

——————————-

Teachers and librarians (librarian-teachers) could use this tool with students who have already chosen a research topic. They would then be able to get practice conducting keyword & phrase searches, nested searches, and even Boolean search operators. Students would then be able to share their videos with classmates and instructors while having fun doing it. I can’t wait to try this out:)

Keith Richards, Librarian

Says Mr. Richards:

“When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully: the church, which belongs to God, and the public library, which belongs to you. The public library is a great equaliser.”

Keith, you’re the man.

librarian / teacher identity issue

There is much anxiety surrounding the duty of the librarian-as-teacher, particularly in academic settings. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard: I didn’t want to become a teacher, so I became a librarian.

Still in shock.

Check out the blog post.

a third of americans use library internet

Timely survey funded by Bill & Melinda Gates….and just another reason to support and value libraries and librarians. Also, really interesting data about a correspondence between information-seeking at the library and positive changes in diet. Libraries rock! Now, we need better budgets and better pay….