adventures in library instruction w/ “librarian z” [podcast]
Posted by: annavan on: 2011/07/06
Episode 27 of Adventures in Library Instruction is about the reference manager program, Zotero. We discuss our own Jason Puckett‘s recent book, Zotero: A Guide for Librarians, Researchers and Educators. During this particular episode, we talk about teaching Zotero, teaching WITH Zotero, as well as how Jason’s book offers practical advice, techniques and strategies for instruction librarians.
The book really is Jason’s “Zotero brain” on paper. He’s done a fabulous job organizing the information into a Zotero manual for Zotero users, as well as guidance for those interested in teaching and supporting Zotero at their institutions.
(Note: DRM-free ebook editions available from ALA Store)
Join us for future episodes! If you’re interested, please post a comment on the Adventures in Library Instruction blog or email us! We’d love to have you be a part of our Skype discussion or participate in a one-on-one interview. OR you can record your own a segment of something fabulous you’re doing with library instruction techniques, technology, or methods!
google books for genealogy research
Posted by: annavan on: 2011/06/30
I’m preparing for a “Genealogy Resources on the Web” workshop, and while I plan to cover the biggies (e.g., Cyndi’s List, USGenWeb Project, etc.), I found that Google Books can yield a treasure of family history! Behold my second cousin, Samuel J. Betar, III:
Hanania, R. (2005). Arabs of Chicagoland. Charleston, SC: Arcadia. (via Google Books)
This led me to search my Great Uncle (Samuel J. Betar, II), who was a prosecutor in the Department’s organized crime unit in Chicago . Google Books allowed me to see that there is even more to read about my Great Uncle’s involvement with the Sam Giancana case in William F. Roemer’s book, Roemer: Man Against the Mob.
Census reports are loaded with information, but finding your relatives’ lives documented in a historical context is priceless!
love your trainer [podcast]
Posted by: annavan on: 2011/06/01
Episode 26 of Adventures in Library Instruction is a book club of sorts. Rachel, Jason, and I discuss Lori Reed and Paul Signorelli’s book, Workplace Learning & Leadership: A Handbook for Library and Nonprofit Trainers, specifically how the content and resources relate to instruction librarians.
A couple of things became obvious as I read the book and as we talked. Those librarians involved with staff training and development can be an invaluable ally for “instruction librarians.” They have experience with active learning, instructional design, and teaching methods. They provide yet another sounding board for us as we mold and develop our teaching skills. There are differences between “training librarians” and “instruction librarians,” but fundamentally, the two are similar with creating an environment that facilitates learning — formally and informally.
Join us for future episodes! If you’re interested, please post a comment on the Adventures in Library Instruction blog or email us! We’d love to have you be a part of our Skype discussion or participate in a one-on-one interview. OR you can record your own a segment of something fabulous you’re doing with library instruction techniques, technology, or methods!
adventures in library instruction w/ erin mooney [podcast]
Posted by: annavan on: 2011/05/11
Episode 25 (and our 2-year-anniversary) of Adventures in Library Instruction is spent with the lovely Erin Mooney, from Emory University. It was a reunion of sorts, while the four of us chatted about the changes the library and the university have made to first-year orientation. The library’s segment has been consistently evolving. Emory is a great example of how the library has been flexible, innovative, and a strong participant in first-year orientation activities…no matter what curve balls have been thrown at the coordinators!
It was great fun talking with her, and it brought back wonderful memories of times from the cube farm. While chatting, I had forgotten about all of the “impromptu meetings” Erin and I would have whenever ideas for individual instruction or programmatic plans would hit us. Let’s face it – grand ideas don’t always happen at those weekly scheduled meetings. (How many great ideas have YOU had that have come from out of the blue at the most bizarre times???)
I know some like having individual offices, but I am an advocate for the cube farm; it facilitated those impromptu meetings, as well as conversations with people outside the Reference/Instruction Team (I was adjacent to the Systems Team’s section of the cube farm — a GREAT location to be!)
Hope you enjoy this conversation, as much as I did!
(Note: A huge thanks to Jason for editing. I know it was a nightmare to edit this episode, because I kept falling out of the phone call. Windows 7 and my router are not playing nice!!!)
Join us for future episodes! If you’re interested, please post a comment on the Adventures in Library Instruction blog or email us! We’d love to have you be a part of our Skype discussion or participate in a one-on-one interview. OR you can record your own a segment of something fabulous you’re doing with library instruction techniques, technology, or methods!
episode 24, adventures in library instruction [podcast]…
Posted by: annavan on: 2011/04/07
Things we talk about in Episode 24:
- Conference debriefings (THATCamp and Computers in Libraries);
- Crazy ideas regarding technology’s role in “next generation” professional development, scholarly communication, and professional contributions;”
- Rachel’s officially blogging her quest for programmatic information literacy;
- Jason’s progress with his all online, asynchronous Zotero course for GSLIS’ Continuing Education at Simmons College; and
- We respond to a listener email from Kate the Hoosier Librarian
Give it a listen. I know we’d love to hear what YOU think of technology’s role in the evolution of professional development, as well as professional contributions and scholarly communication.
