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E-Resource Training:

uncovering a collection of hidden gems. E-Resource Training:. Amanda Larsen OLA Superconference February 5, 2011. Today’s Agenda. Reasons behind the training Research done to support the initiative Project layout Project numbers Lessons learned? Q & A. Project Background.

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E-Resource Training:

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  1. uncovering a collection of hidden gems E-Resource Training: Amanda Larsen OLA Superconference February 5, 2011

  2. Today’s Agenda • Reasons behind the training • Research done to support the initiative • Project layout • Project numbers • Lessons learned? • Q & A

  3. Project Background BPL: the people and the collection • Six locations • 54 Information Services staff (IS) • 2 Training staff • 80+ eResources (2010)

  4. Project Background Strategic Goals • Objective 5: • “… strengthen the people and the organization.” • Objective 5.2: • “… implement a comprehensive skills development program for technology and electronic resources.”

  5. Project Background Researching the Project • Survey IS staff and compile their feedback • Identify current internal eResource usage • Survey a sample of public libraries • Analyze public library feedback • Consult with Service Delivery Managers (SDM) • Make recommendations to the Senior Management team

  6. Project Background Researching the Project • Used www.surveymonkey.com to conduct surveys • 35 surveyed, 23 responded: • If at all, general interest databases are more popular • Large proportion of staff claim they rarely if ever use the collection… • [insert shocked *gasps* here]

  7. Project Background Researching the Project • 21 public libraries surveyed, 11 responded: • 28% do nottrain their staff on eResources • 82% do train their staff • Nearly 50% of those who do train, have yet to see a marked improvement in usage statistics…

  8. Project Background Two conclusions: • Customers are still unclear as to the purpose of databases and how they differ from Google and the Internet. • Staff feel they haven’t been equipped with strategies to use an e-Resource to answer a reference question quickly.

  9. Project Layout Proposed Recommendations • eResource training should take place in 2010 • BPL staff should share in the responsibility of training • BPL Training staff should be responsible for creating context

  10. Project Layout Recommendation #2: shared responsibility • Proven training model used in Web 2.Huh?! training in 2008 and currently in the branches • If staff like the training model, they are more likely to enjoy the course material

  11. Project Layout http://eresourcetraining.blogspot.com

  12. Project Layout http://eresourcetraining.blogspot.com Project Layout Developing the program • Trainers chose eResources to be reviewed based on: • Vendor, funding, relevance • Chose to review: • AccessScience (McGraw Hill) • Business Source Premier (EBSCO) • Health and Wellness Reference Centre (Gale) • Canadian Reference Centre (EBSCO) • Bonus: 360 Search

  13. Project Layout http://eresourcetraining.blogspot.com Developing the program • Beginning May 1, weekly emails sent to staff (Monday) • Blog update with new eResource: • Background information • Key publications found within • Special features • Contextual reference question

  14. Project Layout http://eresourcetraining.blogspot.com Sample reference question—AccessScience • “Megan has just arrived at the Aldershot branch, 10 minutes before closing time. She rather hurriedly explains she needs information for her grade 11 biology science project on honey bees. Specifically, she's interested in the extinction of honey bees and the impact this would have on the environment. She'll need information on bees, in general, as well as specific material relating to their possible extinction and its cause.”

  15. Project Layout http://eresourcetraining.blogspot.com Developing the program • Staff had all month to complete all four questions: • Move at their own pace • Designed to be completed on desk in a minimal amount of time • Collaboration with peers encouraged

  16. Project Layout http://eresourcetraining.blogspot.com Developing the program • Psst… There are no right answers! • Praise, praise, praise… • Bonus week: optional (with an incentive!)

  17. Project Layout Recommendation #3: creating context • Choosing an eResource must be intuitive • Develop a template form • Focus on: • Uses for the database • Publications found within • Key features of the interface • Helpful tips and tricks for searching and use

  18. Project Layout eResource Template

  19. Project Layout Recommendation #3: creating context • Presentations at staff meetings: • 5-10 minutes max • Follow the template • Contextual reference question • Focus on WHY not HOW… • Post completed templates to a shared online space

  20. Project Numbers How did we do? • 54 participated, 50 completed, 30 completed the bonus • 15-45 minutes per question • 100% of participants claim to be more confident • 85% of participants are now completely comfortable with eResources as a reference tool

  21. Project Numbers How did we do? • “I would like to see more training of this nature in the future. It feels very fresh and because it can be completed anywhere it works for everyone without having to worry about travel and scheduling. The hands-on approach is great too. It makes a huge difference to actually answer a real question that we could encounter any day on the information desk using the databases, rather than just sitting watching a search happen as an audience.”

  22. Project Numbers How did we do? • 40 hours to develop program • 3 hours per week in May to monitor and evaluate • 0 marketing or deliver costs (outside of staff time…) • 20% increase in eResource usage statistics • Increasing staff initiative • 8 completed staff presentations and subsequent templates

  23. Lessons Learned Yee haw vs. Yikes • Timing is everything in the “training game” • Have a post-training plan • You can never give or get enough feedback • Do your homework (questions)… • Beg, borrow, or steal for an incentive prize

  24. Thank you Questions and Answers? • Amanda Larsen • Burlington Public Library • larsena@bpl.on.ca • 905-639-3611, x122 • http://eresourcetraining.blogspot.com

  25. Resources • Devine, Jane and Francine Egger-Sider. Going Beyond Google: The Invisible Web in Learning and Teaching. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2009. • Kovacs, Diane K. and Kara L. Robinson. The Kovacs Guide to Electronic Library Collection Development. New York: Neal Schuman, 2004.  • Waller, Vivienne. "The relationship between public libraries and Google: Too much information". First Monday, Volume 14, Number 9 - 7 September 2009. http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/2477/2279

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