Beyond Googling Using Your School Library to Add Value to Online Resources

Authored by:  Tom Kaun Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur  Originally presented by: Tom Kaun Terry Heieck-Lai Linda Birtler

Information Literacy 1 The American Association of School Librarians has defined information literacy as the ability to: access information efficiently and effectively, evaluate information critically and competently, and use information accurately and creatively.

Information Literacy 2  The AASL has further added that information literate students are: independent learners who pursue information related to personal interests, appreciate literature and art, and strive for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation;

Information Literacy 3  and that information literate students are: socially responsible as shown by their recognizing the importance of information to a democratic society, practicing ethical behavior, and participating effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

CSLA Standards & Guidelines for Strong School Libraries  Roles of the Library Media Teacher include: Collaborative Teacher  The LMT collaborates with other teachers to teach information literacy, including the ethical and legal use of information and communication technologies.(4)  The LMT designs an accessible, efficient and inviting facility for student learning. (9)  The LMT participates in and seeks out professional growth and learning opportunities. (11)

CSLA Standards & Guidelines for Strong School Libraries  Roles of the Library Media Teacher include: Information Specialist:  The LMT provides information-seeking expertise for the school and district. (2)  The LMT collaborates with other teachers to advance reading comprehension and foster a love of reading. (3)  The LMT develops a library collection that supports the school’s curriculum and state content standards. (7)

CSLA Standards & Guidelines for Strong School Libraries  Roles of the Library Media Teacher include: Instructional Partner:  The LMT shares in the leadership for curricular, instructional and professional development of the school and district. (1)  The LMT collaborates with other teachers and the community to integrate the best uses of information and communication technologies into curriculum and instruction. (5)

CSLA Standards & Guidelines for Strong School Libraries  Standards for School Library Media Center Technology: The school community uses LMC information and communication technologies (ICT) as tools to access information. (1) create and produce information. (2) communicate and use information. (3) The school community is guided by relevant policies and is supported by a digital infrastructure and technology services that enable the effective and intelligent use of LMC ICT as tools for teaching and learning.(4)

Collaborative Planning  An example of a collaborative planning scenario: One LMT's example Teachers are encouraged to use the library as a resource for student projects and for their own enjoyment and education. Keep in mind that the library is the library media teacher's classroom. The subject which the LMT teaches is information literacy. The mission of the library program is "...to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information."student projects

Research Dilemmas  Google is great  Research doesn’t begin and end with Google  Most don’t use Google to its full capacity  There are ways to enhance the use of Google and other search engines

Balance Resources  Print library materials (school and public)  Online and other electronic library resources  Home resources (print and electronic)

Accessing Resources  School library catalogs  School library websites  Public library catalogs  Online databases (school and public)

The Library Catalog (OPAC)  Know how to search  Become familiar with all the various tabs/search methods Use it judiciously  The catalog is not Google or Ask Jeeves Ask library staff for help if you can’t find something Library staff may be able to help by giving alternative headings or other search strategies.  An online example An online example

Sample of OPAC

School Library Websites  Many school libraries have websites with links to online resources both locally produced and accessible remotely.  Learn how to use your library’s website effectively.  Samples: A.P. Gianni Middle SchoolA.P. Gianni Middle School Bessie Chin Library El Dorado High School

A.P. Gianni Middle School

El Dorado High School

The Public Library Catalog  Know how to search  Use all the various tabs/search methods Use it judiciously  The catalog is not Google or Ask Jeeves Ask library staff for help if you can’t find something Library staff may be able to help by giving alternative headings or other search strategies. Yorba Linda Public Library

Public Library Sample

Online Databases  Some are free, others are accessible by subscription  Many are part of the “deep” or “hidden” web  Different types include: collections of periodical articles, encyclopedias & almanacs; directories of websites.

Some Examples of Online Databases  Newsbank Newsbank  Electric Library Electric Library  Find Articles Find Articles  Ebsco Ebsco  Gale Databases Gale Databases  Encarta Encarta

Sample Search Page

Evaluating Resources  All information research resources must be evaluated whether print or electronic  Special issues arise for online (Web) resources  There are helpful sites for teaching evaluation skills  Evaluating Sources of Info (SDSU) Evaluating Sources of Info (SDSU)  Kathy Schrock's web site evaluation links Kathy Schrock's web site evaluation links  Redwood High School web page evaluation guide Redwood High School web page evaluation guide  Museum of Hoaxes Museum of Hoaxes

Using Google More Effectively  Google Google  Google Advanced Search Google Advanced Search Other Googles Google Image Search Google News Google Web directory

Beyond Googling  Consider your need for information: Other Search Engines  AllTheWeb AllTheWeb  Teoma Teoma Document Clustering  Vivisimo Vivisimo  Directories Librarian’s Index to the Internet Librarian’s Index to the Internet Infomine Yahoo Directory Yahoo Directory Academic Info Academic Info

Sample--Vivisimo

Sample—Librarians’ Index

Thanks for your attendance  Let’s keep working together to help our students: Continually increase their information literacy skills Produce work which is accurate and creative  Make a difference when you go back to your school site Talk to and collaborate with your LMT Use your school and public library print and online resources and give assignments which require your students to also Go beyond just Googling!

References  A.P. Giannini Middle School Library Website- everyschool.org/u/global/tlai/apglibrary.html  Bessie Chin Library Website – rhsweb.org/library/  CountryWatch –  EBSCO Databases –  El Dorado High School Library Website – ser_op=view_page&PAGE_id=72&MMN_position=203:203  Evaluating Sources of Information - infodome.sdsu.edu/research/evaluate/evaluate. shtml  Find Articles –

References--Continued  Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. Chicago: American Association of School Librarians,  Kathy Schrock’s Web site Evaluation Page school.discovery.com/schrockguide/eval.h tml  Librarian’s Index to the Internet –  MARINet – marinet.lib.ca.us  Museum of Hoaxes -