Busy Bees: Training Non-Music Librarians to do Music Reference

Ramona IslamReed LowrieHarvard College Library

Background

Round of retirements in 2009 Increased reliance on graduate

students and reference assistants Another round of retirements in

2012/2013 Four new, relatively inexperienced

librarians join staff in 2013 Insanely complicated library system

Adult Learning Theory

Adults learn best when their prior learning experiences are brought to bear on activities that engage them in meaning making and knowledge construction (Merriam, 2008).

A learning method adapted from the traditional apprenticeship model offered the most promise.

Adult Learning Theory

The Communities of Practice learning model (Wenger, 1998) is characterized by: A common domain of interest: Reference Learning together Development of a shared practice

This model engenders: Autonomy Practitioner orientation Informality Crossing boundaries

Adult Learning Theory

Learning together should incorporate: Connections to previous experience Critical reflection and dialogue Space for storytelling and metanarrative Emergence of tacit and dynamic elements

Development of a shared practice involves: Joint problem solving Seeking experience through referrals Identification of knowledge gaps Building of a knowledge base

The New Bees

How Does this Work? Before the Bee…

Subject area and specialist(s) identified

Questions solicited Guest librarian submits questions to

new-bees one week prior to event

A sample music question

I hope this email finds you well! By way of introduction, my name is Ultimate Undergraduate, and I'm currently a junior in History and Literature. I've tentatively decided to write a thesis on freedom songs (specifically using "We Shall Overcome" as a jumping off point) in the Civil Rights Movement, and as I am beginning to work on thesis grants, I was just wondering if I might be able to solicit your advice how to effectively locate archives and research avenues, both here at Harvard and in other cities, such as Washington, D.C?

Another music question

Looking for sheet music for a piece called (I believe) "Jeanette's Garden."This was sung by our chorus in the mid-1960s. I don't know the composer.The lyrics we sang were:

"Daffodils upon the hills are swaying in the breeze While overhead, the branches spread their tender leafy canopies.

The stately hollyhocks and purple stock (?) in shy majesty Surround the lawn, where newly born, the daisies smile and curtsy."

Here is the piano version as played by the lady in the red dress in this clip from a daytime program. Maybe someone will recognize it.

http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_young_and_the_restless/video/3wF_ox_HSBdJLjlH6C1INctzoQ_tam6F/the-young-and-the-restless-finally-a-home/

How Does this Work? During the Bee…

New-bees and elders gather at round table.

A question is selected. Trainees explain and demonstrate

the research process they employed. Guest expert(s) build on what has

been shared, revealing tried and true approaches.

This process repeats for each question.

How Does this Work? After the Bee…

We created a record of the bees, to be used for further training:

http://guides.hcl.harvard.edu/referencebee

Is it Working for the New-bees?

Formative assessment–focus group feedback: Most valuable aspects: ▪ Learning from experts▪ Modeling of a structured approach to research in

different domains▪ Pressure free time to practice skills

Suggestions for improvement:▪ Distribute more evenly who “drives” the computer

during demonstrations.▪ Supply more conceptual meta-narrative.▪ More discussion of teaching research skills beyond the

reference desk.

Next Steps

We asked the new-bees what they’d like to see featured at future bees: Data & Statistics English Lit Newspapers Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations Film General Science

Another Round of Bees?

Critical need for more gov docs knowledge among reference staff

Schedule another bee, facilitated by gov docs librarians, invite broader audience of new and old bees

Thank You!

We have time for questions or comments