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Purpose The purpose of this paper in information literacy assessment is to explore how library training can promote electronic resource usage. Increasing the usage of electronic resources is an issue of concern for many libraries all over the world. Several studies stress the importance of information literacy and instruction to increase the usage. Design/methodology/approach The present article presents the results of implementing training programmes to increase the use of the e-library. Findings Training sessions increase the usage of library e-resources significantly; however, the effect seems to be short-lived and training sessions alone may not increase the overall long-term usage. Originality/value The present paper presents a study of training sessions as means to increase awareness and usage of library e-resources. Implications for the planning of training are discussed.

Purpose This column aims to propose the idea of using learning management systems (LMSs) as a platform for online training and development within academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach A background and literature review are used as a basis for these recommendations. Findings The column argues that LMSs possess untapped potential as an effective online library training platform. Originality/value The column proposes further widespread use of LMSs for online training and development in academic libraries, despite a historical lack of use for this purpose.

This study aims to investigate academic librarians' organizational socialization. Successful socialization can increase librarians' commitments to and retention in the libraries, which may enhance the quality of information services to library patrons. In addition to collecting demographic information, we measured the organizational socialization of 314 academic librarians using Chao, O'Leary-Kelly, Wolf, Klein, and Gardner's (1994) content framework. Study participants possessed high levels of socialization in their libraries overall. They were well socialized in Politics, followed by Performance Proficiency (task/skills), and Language; however, their socialization in Organizational goals/values, History, and People were relatively low, suggesting that there is room for improvement. Other key findings are: (1) male participants had lower levels of socialization in the People dimension than did females; (2) participants who were tenured had higher levels of socialization than did those who had not yet achieved tenure; (3) participants who had informal mentoring experiences had higher levels of socialization overall compared to those who had not received any mentoring; and (4) participants' socialization was associated negatively with the number of employees in their libraries and with the highest degree offered by their institutions. The study findings can be used to understand the learning and adjustment process of academic librarians in the United States, predict their retention and job satisfaction, and develop and improve library training or orientation programs.

Fundamentals of leadership, management, and psychology take center stage in the business world but are often neglected in library training. By applying basic business principles to enhance our leadership skills, we can become more purposeful, organized, innovative, impactful, and successful as librarians, even if we’re not in charge. Drawing on the work of thought leaders in business and librarianship, this article explores the importance, practical implementation, and benefit of casting vision, planning strategically, managing projects, rejecting passivity, building teams, and implementing accountability.

The western Pacific region of Micronesia has a unique library and archival history. Composed of largely US-affiliated islands, the libraries of Micronesia have emerged through successive waves of colonization and assertions of modern island identities. Primarily focused on peer-reviewed journal articles, this literature review synthesizes the limited previous professional literature concerning Micronesian libraries into a concise resource. Though rapidly modernizing, libraries in this region face distinct challenges in terms of library training, adequate funding, limited access to current information resources, and low Internet access rates. Upon analysis of this body of literature, the author identifies three major needs: 1) Expanded LIS education in Micronesia (particularly at the graduate level), 2) Increased awareness and inclusion of island modes of communication in library and archival services, 3) Expanded opportunities for academic publication and research through the establishment of an Open Access journal of Micronesian Library and Information Science.

This article shares the experiences of Novo Nordisk Global Information & Analysis’ efforts within virtual training. Virtual training is live training in a virtual classroom and focuses on engaging participants through exercises and peer-to-peer learning. Virtual training can be an efficient tool for information professionals to reach their end users globally and cut costs at the same time. However, it also poses some challenges, which demand that information professionals consider competency development, understanding of the virtual classroom and virtual etiquette.

In the Middle East, disaster management planning is not limited to natural calamities but must also consider armed conflict disaster. After the burning of libraries in Iraq, Egypt, and Lebanon since 2003, we must ask in what way do those countries preserve their heritage? What practices do they have in place for times of war? Were these applied when needed? If not, what obstacles prevented their application? This paper presents the findings of a survey of the literature on disaster management for times of war and an analysis of four case studies and argues the importance of prevention and planning.

In the developing world, a common trend is to have north–south collaborations constituting most of the continuous professional development (CPD) activities for librarians. The emerging drift highlighted in this article is a north–south–south initiative aimed at rebuilding the University of Juba Library through capacity-building of the library staff. This article will illuminate the process of equipping library staff with cataloging skills in the absence of previous library training. This endeavor is a result of the collaborative efforts of Makerere University Library (MakLib) in Uganda and the University of Bergen Library (UoBL) in Norway under the Juba Library Automation Project (JULAP). JULAP's main objective is to rebuild the University of Juba Library with the components of library automation and training of library staff. This article will concentrate on the practical training of the library staff in cataloging and the hands-on training on the Koha integrated library system to lay the groundwork for ...

The potential for Raman spectroscopy to provide early and improved diagnosis on a wide range of tissue and biopsy samples in situ is well documented. The standard histopathology diagnostic methods of reviewing H&E and/or immunohistochemical (IHC) stained tissue sections provides valuable clinical information, but requires both logistics (review, analysis and interpretation by an expert) and costly processing and reagents. Vibrational spectroscopy offers a complimentary diagnostic tool providing specific and multiplexed information relating to molecular structure and composition, but is not yet used to a significant extent in a clinical setting. One of the challenges for clinical implementation is that each Raman spectrometer system will have different characteristics and therefore spectra are not readily compatible between systems. This is essential for clinical implementation where classification models are used to compare measured biochemical or tissue spectra against a library training dataset. In this study, we demonstrate the development and validation of a classification model to discriminate between adenocarcinoma (AC) and non-cancerous intraepithelial metaplasia (IM) oesophageal tissue samples, measured on three different Raman instruments across three different locations. Spectra were corrected using system transfer spectral correction algorithms including wavenumber shift (offset) correction, instrument response correction and baseline removal. The results from this study indicate that the combined correction methods do minimize the instrument and sample quality variations within and between the instrument sites. However, more tissue samples of varying pathology states and greater tissue area coverage (per sample) are needed to properly assess the ability of Raman spectroscopy and system transferability algorithms over multiple instrument sites.

During a six month contract with the Royal University of Bhutan, the author was required to develop the initial stages of a first library qualification to be offered in Bhutan. Questions raised by this project included: Is a first qualification in librarianship needed in Bhutan? What are the potential student numbers in such a program? What structure should such a program take? What guidance exists for developing diploma programs at the Royal University of Bhutan? Does the country contain the expertise to run the program? The author utilized situational analysis to gather data for the program, building on a number of existing but unpublished documents relating to training library staff in Bhutan. Using the guidelines in existence, and the knowledge gained from the situational knowledge, data was gathered to answer the research questions. A three year, part time Diploma of Library Management to be offered by mixed mode (distance education) was designed, and supporting documentation written. There is no doubt that appropriate, relevant library training is needed for library staff in Bhutan. It is less clear that the resources currently exist to fully develop and present an initial diploma level qualification.

The article presents advancement in the area of online library training based on: the analysis of the web pages of the libraries being supervised by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the results of surveys conducted among the librarians responsible for the library trainings and a case study of the library training held by the Main Library of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin along with the results of the evaluation survey attached to the said training.

This paper traces library instructional programs available to graduate students in academic institutions in North America from the late 1950s to the present. Three chronological perspectives provide the framework for this analysis. The first includes programs from 1958 to 1989 that offered traditional bibliographic instruction of print resources as well as some online and CD-ROM databases prior to the widespread availability of the Internet. The second considers information literacy instructional efforts in the 1990s that paralleled the rise of the Internet. The third outlines current initiatives beginning in 2000 that aimed to produce lifelong learners among graduate students through innovative instructional techniques.

Introduction: To explore the information seeking behavior of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) and to investigate their exposure to libraries and library training in both their home countries and after being hired in Saskatchewan. Methods: This two-phase multi-method project was carried out in Saskatchewan, Canada. A questionnaire was developed based on survey instruments used in previously conducted studies on the topic. Librarians in two academic institutions assisted with validation of the survey. In Phase 1, data were collected via an online questionnaire from IENs in three health regions: Saskatoon, Regina, and Sunrise. In Phase 2, the study was expanded to IENs in all the health regions in the province. The same questionnaire from Phase 1 was used during telephone interviews with participants. Results: A total of 17 IENs responded (Phase 1, n = 9, Phase 2, n = 8). Results show that IENs, although interested in looking for information for their practice, are hindered by a lack of knowledge of how and where to seek relevant clinical information as well as a lack of library training. As a result, their main source of information is the Internet (Google). Discusion: Despite barriers such as time to information seeking, results revealed that given the opportunity IENs would like to receive library training to enhance their information seeking skills.

A comparative analysis of the results of two longitudinal studies conducted a decade apart, among research post-graduate students, with the purpose of understanding the progress in their information literacy (IL) skills, forms the content of this report. The analysis is based on the application of the Research and Information Search Expertise (RISE) model, which traces students’ progression across four stages of expertise. Such progression was measured across two dimensions of knowledge: that of information sources/databases and that of information search skills. Both studies adopted basic interpretive qualitative methods involving direct observation, interviews, think-aloud protocols, and survey questionnaires, during each of the five interventions, which were spread over a one to one-and-half year period. Scaffolding training was provided at each meeting and data were collected to assess the influence of such training on development of search expertise. A comparison of the findings reveals that students in both studies advance in their IL skills largely in a similar manner. Scaffolding support was found to help both dimensions of knowledge and that lack of one or the other type of knowledge could hinder their ability to find relevant sources for their research. The studies make evident the need for training programs for higher education students, to improve both their knowledge of information sources and their search techniques, tailor-made to closely correlate to their specific information needs. The studies provide insights into student behaviors in the development of IL skills, and the RISE model offers a framework for application to other similar research.

For college writers, a key element of academic literacy is the ability to locate, select, evaluate, synthesize, and cite outside sources in their own writing. This study surveyed 543 college students to identify (a) their preferred criteria when evaluating Internet-based and library-based sources and (b) types of instruction students typically receive in evaluating those sources. Students writing research reports (63% of students) generally ranked most highly sources that were easy to use and easy to find, whether those sources were library-based or Internet-based ( r = 0.700, p

Students often experience difficulties locating information despite library training in database search techniques. Research suggests metacognitive strategies including: planning, monitoring, and self-regulating actions could enhance individuals' search in research databases. An idea tactic tutorial that promoted metacognitive strategies was developed to improve education graduate students' searching in research databases for problem-solving activities. Bates identified 17 idea tactics, and nine of these concepts were incorporated in the idea tactics tutorial. We developed three additional tactics based on metacognitive strategies and they are included in the tool. A mixed method study evaluated students' use of the tutorial as well as its impact on their search techniques and outcomes. This work constituted the first author's dissertation study and our book represents an expansion and update of the research.

Summary Current trends in library training and practice reflect the inexorable movement toward the electronic environment. In this setting, librarians are beginning to pay considerably less attention to the books in their reference collections than to the online sources. This is cause for concern, since materials in the print format are often preferable to the electronic. They can be more accessible, quicker, and easier to use. Their contents are likely to be more comprehensive and are often unique. Librarians are urged to continue to become familiar with and use the books in the reference collections.

This article traces the background and development of CatSkill, the computer assisted learning (CAL) CD-ROM which provides a complete course on the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules 2nd edition, 1988 revision and four MARC coding schemes-ABN MARC, CAN/MARC, UK MARC and USMARC. This product was developed through a partnership of two Australian companies, DocMatrix Pty Ldt and Learning Curve Pty Ltd. The potential of CatSkill for paraprofessional and professional library training in library schools and for in-house training is discussed. The future of CAL for both library technical training and for educating users to utilise library resources effectively is outlined.

This feature discusses the use of a training needs analysis exercise carried out by library staff at the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) Library Network to support the development of a fit for purpose programme of information skills training. A survey was designed based on a well-known information skills competency framework and used to gain an understanding of the knowledge skills needed by staff and how library training could best support these. The survey received a good response rate and led to the successful writing of a training plan for the Library Network for the delivery of information skills training. H.S.

Changes in the format of library materials, increased amounts of information, and the speed at which information is being produced have created an unrelenting need for training for library staff members. Additionally, library employees are retiring in greater numbers and their accompanying expertise is being lost. The purpose of this study was to document evaluation practices currently used in library training and continuing education programs for library employees, including metrics used in calculating return-on-investment (ROI). This research project asked 272 library training professionals to identify how they evaluate training, what kind of training evaluation practices are in place, how they select programs to evaluate for ROI, and what criteria are important in determining an effective method for calculating ROI.

Bibliographic instruction is aneglected component of undergraduate education in many geography curricula. Significant research problems are difficult to formulate and self-education cannot be achieved without the ability to use reference materials effectively. The research methods course is a logical vehicle for providing bibliographic instruction at the undergraduate level. Library training can be incorporated in this course through a series of instructional modules that requires students to work with a wide variety of bibliographic materials. Students should be allowed to focus on publications pertaining to topics of individual interest in all phases of their work. This paper outlines a methods course that emphasizes bibliographic instruction and gives suggestions for incorporating selected developmental materials.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an evaluation instrument using the retrospective pretest design to measure changes in participants' behaviour after library training. This article focuses on the measurement component of training evaluation — the process of answering the question of how much change has occurred. Participants, who were from a large, public academic geriatric care centre in Toronto, included administrators, researchers, clinical and other staff, and university students doing field placements at the hospital. Participants attended one of four 1-hour sessions on the topic of Effectively Searching Google and Google Scholar that were held over a 3-month period. Sixty days post training, a self-administered retrospective pretest questionnaire, consisting of 10 searching behaviour statements developed using the learning objectives for the training session, was used to measure the impact of library training on participants' behaviour. Participants were asked to indicate their level of frequency of performing a searching behaviour described in the statement before and after training using a five-point, Likert-type scale ranging from 1, almost never; 2, seldom; 3, about half the time; 4, often; to 5, almost always. Summary baseline statistics are reported for respondents who never or rarely exhibited the behaviour prior to training. For the change measure, we report the simple percentage of respondents who improved. The findings of this study showed the potential of using the retrospective pretest to help librarians document the outcomes of library training. The benefits of gathering data using the retrospective pretest are discussed.

In the early days of my library consulting career, I did a lot of work for Infopeople, an excellent library training organization here in California. The most popular workshop was “Computer and and Internet Troubleshooting.” It was an all-day workshop that helped people understand basic troubleshooting techniques. I taught it over 40 times. People learned how data packets made their way from a remote server, across the Internet, into their building, and to their public computer screen so they could begin to understand and identify problems at the computer-level (reboot), library-level (router) or website-level (their problem, not yours). They looked inside a hard drive so they could see the delicate components. After a brief overview of the parts of a PC and how it all works, they had to attach all the external devices on their computers (keyboard, monitor, mouse, power) and boot up successfully.

Written by the series editor, gives an historical overview of the Library Training Guides Series, of which the eighth series has just been published. There is a subject‐based description of the evolvement of the series followed by Dr Baker′s own comment on the series.

Introduction - Increasingly, database vendors are allowing downloads of their products to personal digital as- sistants (PDAs). The Hospital Library at Capital Health in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has the opportunity to provide PDA versions of resources to our users. The purpose of this survey is to find out the current environment of PDA use among the medical residents as a basis for developing library training and support for this technology. Question -A re medical residents using PDAs, and if yes, what type of PDA are they using, what experience do they have using them, how do they think they will use them in a clinical setting, and what products do they think they will find valuable in their practice? Methods - A Web-based survey was developed using PollDaddy software. A message was sent to all the medical residents on rotation at Capital Health on 12 November 2008; the survey closed 12 December 2008. Setting - The survey was developed by the Health Sciences Library of Capital Health. Capital Health is an academic health centre in Nova Scotia, Canada. The medical residents are affiliated with Dalhousie University Medical School. Participants - The participants were medical residents currently working in Capital Health hospitals. There were 55 re- spondents. Results - The majority of respondents own a PDA and have more than 1 year of experience using the de- vice. They use PDAs to look up drug information, for messaging, and to consult e-books. More than 90% of those surveyed use PDAs in their clinical practice. The Palm platform is used by 64% of respondents while the iPhone is used by 24%. Conclusion - Medical residents are using PDAs with a preference for the Palm platform. They are used for clinical decision making, and 61 different sources were listed as currently used by the medical residents. Implica- tions for the library are to provide training for the Palm and to concentrate on resource-specific training, rather than basic training on how to use a PDA. Limitations - There are approximately 300 medical residents on rotation at any one time. We received 55 responses. We realized, too late, that people could select only one item for question 7 ("Which resources do you use?"). However, most respondents provided lists of titles of PDA resources for question 8.

Vallisneri Library, established in 1990, through the fusion of the libraries of 7 biomedical departments, possesses 100.000 volumes and 800 scientific journals. The staff wants this library to be available not only to academics and university students, but also to other people interested in biomedicine (teachers, medical doctors, etc.).

Objective – This paper explores various methods that librarians can use to evaluate and meet the information needs of clinical music therapists (MTs). Methods – A survey of the literature of music therapy (MT) found many empirical studies of MT but none describing how MTs commonly express and satisfy their information needs. As a means of assessing their information needs, we first examine the basic features of MT practice and then compare MTs' information needs with the well-documented needs of nurses. Results – We believe that MTs and nurses exhibit similar basic information needs, such as access to (i) colleagues and experts; (ii) current information in print, electronic, and alternate formats; (iii) reference and ILL assistance from librarians; and (iv) library training to search databases and catalogues. Conclusions – Librarians should collaborate with MTs to identify their specific information needs. To begin, library services can be built by allocating relatively few resources. To evaluate what is required in evidence-based MT, librarians and MT associations should administer a national needs-assessment survey or questionnaire.

Present day Slovenia has inherited a number of historic libraries and collections, one of which provided the foundations of the National and University Library at Ljubljana, the major library for arts and humanities. There are also a number of specialised art libraries within and outside the University of Ljubljana, including the library of the University’s Department of Art History, the Library of the Academy of Fine Arts, and the libraries of the National Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Architecture, all in Ljubljana. Slovenian libraries have been or are being automated and linked together through the COBISS network; most of the academic libraries are connected to the Internet. Library training programmes are available at degree level, and students can study another subject, such as art history, as well. More art librarians are needed, as is an association of art libraries and art librarians.

A LIBRARIAN not very long ago made the pertinent suggestion that public libraries were run upside‐down. In brief, his point was that a library assistant's life was something like that of a monk or a nun, in that as he passed successive grades in his qualifications, so he became more and more remote from the outer world, until he eventually was finally and completely immured behind a door marked private, there to commune in silence with the Times Literary Supplement and the 13th edition of Dewey. The idea was, of course,—and it had ingenuity and great truth,—that in fact the more knowledge and experience he accumulated, the more he was required to be at the vital point of contact between the public and their reading matter.

In his stimulating and amusing study, Universities, American, English, German, Mr. Abraham Flexner tells us that the pursuit of science and scholarship belongs to the university, but not secondary, technical, vocational nor popular education. "Of course, these are important, of course society must create appropriate agencies to deal with then; but they must not be permitted to distract the university."

As a growth area in the arts, media communications offers new opportunities for academic and library partnerships that support teaching and learning. This article discusses the collaborative development of an online training guide in the use of electronic databases. The aim of the project described was to promote information literacy, especially research skills for undergraduates, by integrating generic library training and curriculum development in a particular disciplinary field. The article updates a paper presented at the Australian Film Institute s ‘Information Gathering Conference 1999’ (INFOG 99) in Melbourne.