Presented at the Queensland History Teachers Conference 2012.

2. Ode to the School Librarian by:
Steven Herrick (2012), Australian poet and author

3. Jannine McGarry
Reference Librarian
Seymour Library

4. Who is the 21st century Librarian?

5. The Information Maze

6. A guide for the ‘Information Seeker”
Andrew Brown is the academic channel director at Knovel, a web-
based application which provides online quality engineering content
to worldwide customers and universities.
Brown (2012) comments on the value of the Librarian as an
information specialist, manager and guide:
“Educators want to make sure students are aware of information available
outside of traditional search ….and the most credible information and the
best answers may not be available on public websites.”
and
“Librarians and teachers play a critical role in the advancement of
information literacy. Programs that introduce and encourage students to use
a variety of credible resources will improve research skills that are vital to
lifelong learning.
Additionally, the ability to find and to discern credible information is required
for success in the workplace.
The earlier students develop these skills, the better.”

7. What is an Information Literate Person?
As defined by the Association of College and Research Libraries, Presidential Committee
on Information Literacy: Final Report released on January 10, 1989, in Washington, D.C.
• Those who have learned to learn.
• They know how to learn because they know how
knowledge is organized, how to find information
and how to use information so that others can
learn from them.
• They are people prepared for lifelong learning
because they can always find the information
needed for any task or decision at hand.

8. The Information Literate Student
This learning process would actively involve
students in the process of:
• knowing when they have a need for information
• identifying information needed to address a given
problem or issue
• finding needed information and evaluating the
information
• organizing the information
• using the information effectively to address the
problem or issue at hand.
Association of College & Research Libraries 1989

9. Skills to negotiate the Information Maze
Reading Literacy Technology Literacy Information Literacy
Students are able to read and Students possess the ability Students are able to identify when
interpret the variety of printed to use, manage and information is needed, locate the
and online information understand the technology most relevant sources and
they will encounter available to them. demonstrate how to critically
throughout their lives. evaluate and share information.
Seymour Library supports students‟ development
of Information Literacy skills by:
Reading Literacy
Technology Literacy Information Literacy
Provision of a rich literature collection
• Promoting reading engagement/ • Information access skills • Research skills
literature circles • Mastering electronic • Critical evaluation techniques
• Independent Reading referencing tools • Information ethics
• Online information sources & forums

10. Developing the Information Literate person
 Model efficient and effective research skills
based around a historical inquiry.
 Practice locating relevant sources and
demonstrate how to evaluate and share
information to develop each learners‟
information literacies.
 Encourage students to be confident yet
discerning researchers.
 Develop an environment which celebrates
lifelong learning in order to prepare students for
life after Somerville.

11. How can we achieve this in the school environment?
Collaboration – what do you suggest?
At Somerville House…
o With year level subject areas:
introduce, review, practice and add to students‟
information literacy skills, with increasing complexity
throughout each progressive year level.
o With classroom teachers:
whole class and individual guidance when students‟
needs are greatest – in conjunction with assessment.
o Provision of Library Research Pathways
o Participation in online student discussion forums

12. The practical steps
Staff
Technical – tutorials provided to staff on various programs
eg MovieMaker / Scootle / YouTube / Databases /
Microsoft Office Citation tool / PowerPoint
Other libraries
- organised excursions to State and University libraries
- introduction to other library catalogues
- organise free membership to State and National Libraries
for access to a huge range of free online databases and
websites
New Print & Online Resources
- sourcing to meet Curriculum needs
- displays and presentations at Departmental meetings
Communication of details on new resources / contents of
print journals / online educational tools etc

13. Newspaper Archives
Books
 Electric Library (all subject areas)
Access through the
 Australia & New Zealand Reference
Library catalogue
Centre (all subject areas)
 Newstore
Print
 National Library of Aus – historical
archived newspapers
Journals
A range of print journals Databases
are available for loan
 World Book Online (all subject areas)
Seymour Library  Gale World History in Context
Portal (History)
 Global Issues in Context
Databases/Online Journals (Issues database)
Applicable to all  Echo (Issues database)
subject areas  Gale Science in Context (Science)
 BrainPOP (Science)
Online  Literature Resource Centre
 Literature Reference Centre
 AustLit
Websites on the
 The Source (Literature & Poetry)
Library catalogue
Research Project  ALII (Legal)
Where can I find the Online Journals
best resources to Australian Financial Review
University Libraries
meet my needs. Good Reading Magazine
University of Qld SpineOut e-zine
QUT
Queensland Economic Review
Griffith
New Scientist
Other Libraries Griffith Review
Public & State Libraries
Links on Seymour Library Portal
Brisbane City Council
State Library of Qld Apply for membership online.
Extensive list of Databases and
National Library of Aust
Outside Seymour resources available online.
Library Walls Search Engines
Use 'Advanced Search' The Internet - Skills to
Be aware of domain names Search and Evaluate
eg .gov (Government) or Information on Advanced Searching
country code eg .au (Australia) and evaluation techniques on the
Seymour Library Portal.
Internet
Invisible Web
Subject Directories are often Subject Directories - links on
created by librarians and Seymour Library Portal
subject experts for a specific LII / Infomine / Scirius
audience.

14. The practical steps
Students
 Year 7 - programmed lessons / general intro
to basic library/research skills
Pre and post testing of skills
 Year 8 – programmed lessons to introduce
more specific skills in conjunction with
students‟ first history assessment.
(Great Britain – Middle Ages)
Research skills are assessed as part of the
assignment.

15. The practical steps
 All year levels - collaboration with classroom
teachers
 Ensure print and online resources meet
curriculum needs /attend Curriculum meetings
/liaise frequently with classroom teachers
 Booking system to alert Librarians:
 Research pathways created
 Team teaching to introduce relevant
skills/resources to classes as well as
providing individual assistance to students

16. The programs….
 Year 7 - at the start of the year, 6 lessons
per class.
 Pre-test and post test to evaluate program.
 An introduction and overview of library/
research skills.
 Lessons incorporate topics being studied eg
History (Qin Dynasty) and Science (Food
Webs).
Feedback from teaching staff confirms that students are
more aware of the quality of their sources as indicated by
their bibliographies eg online sources include
databases, encyclopedias, education/government sites.

17. Students set up a split screen to enable them
to search and fill out the question sheet (kept
in their library folder for future reference)

18. Introduce Search Engines or Directories
with content evaluated by research experts.
http://www.sweetsearch.com/
http://lii.org/
http://infomine.ucr.edu

19. Google is good, Libraries are better. (2010)
A humourous comment on the benefits of the „human‟ search engine.

20. A little test???

21. Year 8 program
 Librarians and teachers collaborate to deliver
information literacy skills refresher integrated
into the students‟ first history assessment
Medieval Britain (William the Conqueror).
 Students complete a Research Planner.
(included as part of their assessment)
 Research Planner is reviewed annually.
Variations to this format are also completed as
part of history assessments in Year 7 and
Year 9.

22. Year 8 Research skills & Planner
- links to ‘PowerPoint on research skills’ and ‘Research Planner’
The Research Planner must be handed in with the assignment and is
assessed on the Criteria Sheet.

23. All Year Levels
 At the beginning of the first research assignment, librarians provide
classes with a review of resources (both within the library and outside
of library) which will be relevant to the year level.
Throughout the year:
 Teachers advise librarians of current research topics and provide a list
if students are focusing on their own historical research question.
 Librarians spend time with classes during research and offer individual
assistance.
 Close collaboration between teacher and librarians leads to individual
targeted intervention when required.
 As the Librarian is subscribed to all subject pages and forums, we are
included in all communication between teachers and students.
Enables librarian to upload relevant documents or participate in forum
conversations.

24. All year levels – pathways to information
 What are Pathways/Pathfinders
 To support assignment research, Seymour
Library creates Pathways
A pathway or pathfinder does not necessarily contain a
complete list of sources on a topic. Rather it serves as a
model and guide for the user to find his/her own specific
information on a topic. Universities also provide guides
to subject specific resources called Subject Guides.
 Examples of University of Qld Subject Guides

25. Scootle

26. Creating a Learning Path
Scootle
 Shared Learning paths
 Somerville
 Democracy
 Review a Learning Object:
Discovering Democracy: Australia celebrates Federation

27. Seymour Library subscribes to
all online student forums

28. Modern History

29. Ancient History

30. Somertube
Somertube is an initiative of the Somerville House Director of
eLearning in collaboration with Seymour Library and Technology
Services.
Somertube is the designated name for the Somerville House
media server which is a repository for virtual learning objects,
free to air film and documentaries, interactive PowerPoints and
any other media created by teachers or students.
It is extensively used by the History Department to display
samples of student work.
Because it is accessible via the Library catalogue, it is
searchable and can be viewed on any student or staff laptop or
PC.
Librarians guide students in accessing and editing video material
to add to multimodal presentations

31. Creating video tutorials
Preference is for locally created tutorials as they can be
specific to the age group/task.
The school provides Camtasia but I have used screen capture
freeware such as:
Wink / Camstudio / Screencastomatic freeware
Examples:
1. Searching the Library Catalogue
2. Advanced Search Techniques in Google
Google also provides standard and more advanced tutorials.
Power Searching with Google

32. Referencing - using Microsoft Word 2010

33. Online Referencing Guide
- for more detailed examples

34. Harvard referencing - as supported by the Queensland
School Library Association of Queensland

35. Self paced exercise on referencing
provided for Year 11s and 12s

36. The School Library
 providing a welcoming place and space
 continuously reflecting on the current and
future needs of the client.
 Whole school surveys (staff and students)
conducted every 3 years using „Survey
Monkey‟.
Conan the Librarian (2006)

38. Referencing Did you arrive at university with a basic understanding
of how to reference your assignments?
1.6%
Yes
No
98.4%
When you graduated from Somerville House, how would you rate
your knowledge of referencing/bibliographies?
13.9%
Basic knowledge - has some
knowledge of the process
Competent knowledge - has
44.4% a reasonable/good
knowledge of the process
Sound knowledge - has a
well developed knowledge of
the process
41.7%

39. Advanced Search techniques
Have 'Advanced Search' techniques been helpful when researching
both the Internet and Databases?
8.2%
Yes
No
91.8%

40. Access to free academic print sources and
databases for all students
Access University catalogues online to view resources. Students are welcome to
visit University Libraries to research books and print journals. Most University
Libraries are open evenings and week-ends for all researchers - check the following
websites to view the catalogue and opening times.
Griffith University
Queensland University of Technology
University of Queensland
Note: If your school library is a member of the University of Queensland Cyberschool
community, the University of Queensland offers Year 11 & Year 12 Somerville House students the
opportunity to borrow from their libraries.
State Library of Queensland
- visit the State Library in South Brisbane (see website for opening hours)
- access catalogue to view range of resources
- become a member (get a library card) online
- members can access a huge range of databases free online
National Library of Australia
- access catalogue to view range of resources
- become a member (get a library card) online
- members can access a huge range of databases free online
http://www.qhatlas.com.au/

41. Finally……
 Research involves thoughts and feelings as
well as actions.
Carol Kuhlthau (Professor II Emerita, Library and
Information Science, School of
Communication, Information and Library
Studies, Rutgers University) reminds us that the
Information Search Process can be
monitored so that we can be aware of when
students may feel uncertain, vague or
confused.

42. Carol Kuhlthau (n.d.) Information Search Process
Initiation, when a person first becomes aware of a lack of knowledge or understanding and feelings of uncertainty
and apprehension are common.
Selection, when a general area, topic, or problem is identified and initial uncertainty often gives way to a brief
sense of optimism and a readiness to begin the search.
Exploration, when inconsistent, incompatible information is encountered and uncertainty, confusion, and doubt
frequently increase and people find themselves “in the dip” of confidence.
Formulation, when a focused perspective is formed and uncertainty diminishes as confidence begins to increase.
Collection, when information pertinent to the focused perspective is gathered and uncertainty subsides as
interest and involvement deepens.
Presentation, when the search is completed with a new understanding enabling the person to explain his or her
learning to others or in someway put the learning to use.

43. Bibliography
American Association of School Librarians 2007, „Standards for the 21st-Century
Learner‟, American Library Association, viewed 15 November
2012, http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards
/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf
American Library Association 2001, „A library advocates guide to building better
information literate communities.‟, viewed 15 November
2012, http://www.ala.org/offices/sites/ala.org.offices/files/content/ola/informationlite
racy.pdf
Association of College & Research Libraries 1989, „Presidential Committee on
Information Literacy: Report‟, American Library Association, viewed 10 November
2012, http://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/whitepapers/presidential
Brown, A. 2012, „Educating Millennials: Information literacy neither starts or ends with
Wikipedia‟, Information Today, vol. 29, no. 5, p. 9, viewed 23 November, 2012, in
Australia and New Zealand Reference Centre database.
„Conan the Librarian’ 2006, online video clip, YouTube, viewed 22 November
2012, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZHoHaAYHq8
„Google is good. Libraries are better.‟ 2010, online video clip, YouTube, viewed 21
November 2012, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW_ubJJ8SnE

44. „Inquiry into school libraries and teacher librarians in Australian schools‟ n.d., House of
Representatives Committees, Parliament of Australia, viewed 01 November
2012, http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Repre
sentative
Herrick, S. 2012, „The School Librarian‟, online video clip, YouTube, viewed 20
November 2012, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPRJgy5Y1cA
Heye, D. „Shushing Librarian‟, online picture, Obnoxious Librarian from
Hades, retreived 14 November 2012, http://olfh.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/one-
where-we-revive-shushing-skills.html
Khulthau, C. 2012, „Information Search Process‟, Department of Library and
Information Science, Rutgers University, viewed 20 October
2012, http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/~kuhlthau/information_search_process.htm
Lackie, R.J.2007, „Superlibrarian : Virus‟, online picture, Library Garden, retrieved 14
November 2012, http://librarygarden.net/2007/05/05/free-comic-book-day-
highlighting-super-librarian-comic-in-nj-2/
Moore, T. n.d., „Look it up‟, online picture, retrieved 14 November
2012, http://www.strangersinparadise.com/
Wiese, K. 2010, „Creating a standard of positivity‟, InCite, vol. 31, no. 7, p. 15, viewed
23 November 2012, in Australia and New Zealand Reference Centre database.