LILAC conference – DCU Library on DCUBS postgraduate training

Last March I was a delegate at the LILAC annual conference on information literacy in Limerick. This international event is aimed at librarians and information professionals who teach literacy skills and want to improve the information seeking and evaluation capabilities of library users.

I presented a paper on delivering library training to postgraduates and took the example of a selection of DCUBS taught programmes – the MBAs, the MBS in Accounting and the programmes covered by the ‘Next Generation Management’ module). The idea was to examine practice and progress in delivering skills to business postgraduates, but firmly in the context of the many changes we all have to contend with. These include increased enrolments, changes in the way classes are organised and assessed, and evolution in how information resources are delivered.

You’ll find all these issues elaborated on in my presentation at this link. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on the presentation, whether relating to your programme or not. Or indeed if you have any broader queries on information literacy at DCU Library!

Business Librarian’s conference (2): Expert panel discussion – breaking moulds, staying relevant!

At the Business Librarians’ Association conference last July, I also chaired a 90-minute panel discussion. The theme was  Survival, evolution or extinction? Shaping our futures. The panel consisted of three experts from very distinct backgrounds:

• Dr. John Breslin – Electronic Engineering, NUIG; Researcher at DERI;
• Neil Infield – Manager of the British Library’s Business & IP Centre; and
• Ian Manzie – Business Manager (Ireland), Thomson Reuters.

All made brief  presentations before the session was opened to the floor for questions. Discussion highlights for me included:

1. John’s work on the semantic web and his hope that developments in the field will lead to precise answers to searches. As opposed to the current situation where web sites containing partial answers are identified! He was optimistic about the potential for the “social web” where contributers can communicate and comment on aspects of their work. Part of the discussion on the social web highlighted particular scholarly developments on wikis, especially Medpedia, the new peer-reviewed medical reference resource, and the possibilities for such resources in other fields. John’s presentation is available at slideshare.net;
2. Neil’s particularly fascinating account of how the British Library’s Business &IP Centre has developed a programme of  workshops, clinics, and training and networking events.  These include bookable meetings to develop business plans, and scheduled clinics  featuring guest entrepreneurs and innovators. Librarians were retrained as business advisors. The BIPC programme is open to the public;
3. Ian’s introduction to Thomson Reuters’ ambitious new web-based “Academy” approach to training users. Having expended much energy over the years on site visits, their current preference is very much for online courses and workshops, delivered through e-training, workshops and (in the future) webcasting. [See for example their Datastream training schedule on their Customer Zone page; also discussed in the Business Blog post on Datastream tutorials]. Ian’s perspective was an interesting counterpoint to Neil’s heavy emphasis on meeting and communicating face-to-face.

Business Librarians’ conference (1): Training large classes – the DCUBS experience

Last July I attended Focus on the Future, a 3-day conference for British and Irish business librarians held at the IMI here in Dublin. I presented  at the plenary on how the Library  successfully trains large undergraduate classes, giving prominence to our long-standing experience with the HR118 Skills for Success module. The presentation emphasised:

1. the success of HR118 in delivering information literacy skills to early stage undergraduates;
2. engagement with students and high turnout rates;
3. the key importance of liaison between DCUBS and the Library both on session development and successful session delivery on the day; and
4. new approaches we are developing with the module coordinator to manage increasing numbers and improve student information literacy.

The presentation was well received, especially from the perspective of reflection on practice, problem-solving,  and the unfolding hybrid method of skills delivery. For anyone who may be interested, the powerpoint is available from slideshare.net.