Amanda LarsenOLA Superconference

February 5, 2011

uncovering a collection of hidden gemsuncovering a collection of hidden gems

1. Reasons behind the training2. Research done to support the initiative3. Project layout4. Project numbers5. Lessons learned?6. Q & A

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BPL: the people and the collection

• Six locations• 54 Information Services staff (IS)• 2 Training staff• 80+ eResources (2010)

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Strategic Goals

• Objective 5:

“… strengthen the people and the organization.”

• Objective 5.2:“… implement a comprehensive skills development program for technology and electronic resources.”

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Researching the Project

1. Survey IS staff and compile their feedback2. Identify current internal eResource usage 3. Survey a sample of public libraries4. Analyze public library feedback5. Consult with Service Delivery Managers (SDM)6. Make recommendations to the Senior Management

team

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Researching the Project

• Used www.surveymonkey.com to conduct surveys• 35 surveyed, 23 responded:

1. If at all, general interest databases are more popular2. Large proportion of staff claim they rarely if ever use

the collection…[insert shocked *gasps* here]

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Researching the Project

• 21 public libraries surveyed, 11 responded:• 28% do not train their staff on eResources• 82% do train their staff• Nearly 50% of those who do train, have yet to see a

marked improvement in usage statistics…

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Two conclusions:

1. Customers are still unclear as to the purpose of databases and how they differ from Google and the Internet.

2. Staff feel they haven’t been equipped with strategies to use an e-Resource to answer a reference question quickly.

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Proposed Recommendations

1. eResource training should take place in 20102. BPL staff should share in the responsibility of training3. BPL Training staff should be responsible for creating

context

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Recommendation #2: shared responsibility

• Proven training model used in Web 2.Huh?! training in 2008 and currently in the branches

• If staff like the training model, they are more likely to enjoy the course material

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Developing the program

• Trainers chose eResources to be reviewed based on:• Vendor, funding, relevance

• Chose to review:• AccessScience (McGraw Hill)• Business Source Premier (EBSCO)• Health and Wellness Reference Centre (Gale)• Canadian Reference Centre (EBSCO)• Bonus: 360 Search

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Developing the program

• Beginning May 1, weekly emails sent to staff (Monday)• Blog update with new eResource:• Background information• Key publications found within• Special features• Contextual reference question

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Sample reference question—AccessScience

“Megan has just arrived at the Aldershot branch, 10 minutes before closing time. She rather hurriedly explains she needs information for her grade 11 biology science project on honey bees. Specifically, she's interested in the extinction of honey bees and the impact this would have on the environment. She'll need information on bees, in general, as well as specific material relating to their possible extinction and its cause.”

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Developing the program

• Staff had all month to complete all four questions:• Move at their own pace• Designed to be completed on desk in a minimal

amount of time• Collaboration with peers encouraged

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Developing the program

• Psst… There are no right answers!• Praise, praise, praise…• Bonus week: optional (with an incentive!)

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Recommendation #3: creating context• Choosing an eResource must be intuitive• Develop a template form• Focus on:

• Uses for the database• Publications found within• Key features of the interface• Helpful tips and tricks for searching and use

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Recommendation #3: creating context• Presentations at staff meetings:• 5-10 minutes max• Follow the template• Contextual reference question

• Focus on WHY not HOW…• Post completed templates to a shared online space

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How did we do?

• 54 participated, 50 completed, 30 completed the bonus• 15-45 minutes per question• 100% of participants claim to be more confident• 85% of participants are now completely comfortable with

eResources as a reference tool

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How did we do?

“I would like to see more training of this nature in the future. It feels very fresh and because it can be completed anywhere it works for everyone without having to worry about travel and scheduling. The hands-on approach is great too. It makes a huge difference to actually answer a real question that we could encounter any day on the information desk using the databases, rather than just sitting watching a search happen as an audience.”

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How did we do?

• 40 hours to develop program• 3 hours per week in May to monitor and evaluate• 0 marketing or deliver costs (outside of staff time…)• 20% increase in eResource usage statistics• Increasing staff initiative• 8 completed staff presentations and subsequent templates

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Yee haw vs. Yikes

1. Timing is everything in the “training game”2. Have a post-training plan3. You can never give or get enough feedback4. Do your homework (questions)…5. Beg, borrow, or steal for an incentive prize

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Questions and Answers?Amanda Larsen

Burlington Public Librarylarsena@bpl.on.ca

905-639-3611, x122

http://eresourcetraining.blogspot.com

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Devine, Jane and Francine Egger-Sider. Going Beyond Google: The Invisible Web in Learning and Teaching. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2009.

Kovacs, Diane K. and Kara L. Robinson. The Kovacs Guide to Electronic Library Collection Development. New York: Neal Schuman, 2004.

Waller, Vivienne. "The relationship between public libraries and Google: Too much information". First Monday, Volume 14, Number 9 - 7 September 2009. http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/2477/2279