1. 6th form EPQ students and information literacy
ILG / ISG course Wednesday 30th November 2016
Simon Finch and David Bowles,
Shared Service (Bexley and Bromley Libraries)

2. Background
Online resource promotions at secondary school librarian network meetings
Hayes School request for a session to support Extended Project Qualification students, repeated sessions requested
Adapted session at Chislehurst Girls School
Online resource promotions at secondary school librarian network meetings – this led to Hayes and Chislehurst enquiries 2

3. Planning List of topics supplied by school
These were used as “worked examples” of information searches
If large group of students general advice might be all that could be offered in time available
Add examples and show how took questions and used them to illustrate on how to do research – resources and organisations – e.g. Drugs in Colombia / FARC – online resuorces, books in stock, organisations and news channels online - Time = usually about an hour. 3

4. Later more general advice using ‘step-by-step’ PowerPoint
Initially advice to individual students on their topics that others could use too
Later more general advice using ‘step-by-step’ PowerPoint
this was requested by the teachers because they did not want us to influence the questions as they interpreted the EPQ rules as disallowing this. 4

5. EPQ topics “Does gender neutrality really exist?”
“Health and safety at theme parks”
“Nature / nurture of criminality”
“Does strong currency in the UK make people better or worse off?”
Some are easier than others – initially able to 5

6. School Librarians requested explanation / promotion of what Public Library holds and offers (many students not used the Library recently)
Visiting school preferable to visit to library as it emphasises “Open when we’re closed” – remote access 24/7 resources (visiting physical location off-putting for students)

7. How? Ask how many have a Library Ticket? Etc.
There is very low current usage and so limited understanding of basic library services
Important not to overestimate the students’ understanding of how to use, access or learn about library resources
This is what we went through with students – realise you all know this but what we have found they needed / requested this information etc. 7

8. So need to explain to them:-
It is for them – (no age restriction)
Will have information to help them
Will have staff who are knowledgeable
Does have study space they can use
Lots of resources available at small branches (A2R etc.) so no need to travel
Open when we’re closed – 24/7 services
Some services require a Library Card (Guarantor needed if under 18)

9. Issues
They seem to have perception that the Library is place for light general fiction and picture books
Genuinely surprised we had things that would help them
Perception carries over to Colleges so tendency to assume library there is the same

10. Finding resources - book searches
Illustrate using the catalogue also the online resources on library website
Step-by-step approach needed
Can’t assume they know how to search the catalogue
Or how to interpret results / access materials

15. Reminder of relevance of contents pages – indexes etc.
Continuing value of books emphasised – especially for specialist topics
Show the basics:-
How to look up a book
Where is the catalogue?
Where is the Library?
Explain access arrangements –and holdings screens showing branch availability
Outline lending procedures
Reminder of relevance of contents pages – indexes etc.

16. Google books Value and limitations of Google books
Flags the book up but usually only sampled
Need to use links on left to locate actual copies, e-books or print
Either buy or in libraries via “Find in Library link” to WorldCat

19. Using experts / special collections
Use experts - speak to Tutors – contact specialist organisations / Colleges etc.
Often much material they need in FE College Libraries to which they may have no access. (More liaison between 6th form heads and FE Colleges?)
In some boroughs interloans may be a way around this
but in Bexley and Bromley, for instance, they will be beyond the pockets of most 6th formers
(60p - £6-30 interloan £16.10 BL – 85p - £6-05 interloan - £16-10 BL). Other authorities may be less than £1 and worth highlighting. 19

20. Assessing materials Need to spell out:- Who is the author/creator?
What can you find out about them?
Publisher, what is their reputation?
When published? How important is currency?

21. Assessing materials
Online sources – state if selected by Public Library then you can rely on it
Ask them “Do you trust what you see online?” ask who produced it
If can’t find that out be suspicious. Wikipedia
Explain relevance of domain extensions (.gov; .org; .co.uk etc.)
Ask same questions as for printed book
Include examples to illustrate sources they might not have come across (e.g.FT.com)

22. Citations and bibliography
Ask for help if not sure
Specific styles for citations and referencing but need to check with tutor/board to make sure using the right one
We can recommend sources to help e.g. RefME etc.

23. Further resources
Google Advanced Search / Google Scholar / demonstrate and illustrate
Access to Research – a great resource available free but reinforce point can do initial search for articles anywhere can get online but must come to the library to view them
Students were unfamiliar with these

24. Online Resources
E.g. Newsbank which is a research tool with a broader range of titles than free online services

26. Summary
Dialogue with contacts important- teachers / tutors / librarians – as what required will vary
Students seemed to respond positively – interest shown – notes taken – questions asked
Those attending were positive at the end and indicated found sessions useful
“I never realised the library had so many useful resources” 26

27. Any questions?

28. Contacts:- Shared Service (Bexley and Bromley Libraries) Simon Finch
David Bowles