Sertic's Library Musings

LIBE 467-Assignment #3: Evaluation plan to improve reference services  1.Background and present conditions The above statement from Reidling, led me to my guwqiding question in terms of evaluating my current school’s reference services “How are the reference services supporting students and staff to effectively search for information?” Researching/inquiry skills are a focus in our BC Curriculum. In my many years as an upper intermediate teacher, I have noticed again and again, when developing research skills, students are often turning to the method of “Googling it”. In talking to our teacher librarian, fellow colleagues and students, I discovered that this is the case in most classes. With more access to digital tools, students are: -turning to Google and Wikipedia as their primary sources for information Image courtesy of: thisonegirl'sblog.com -not using the print reference materials that are available in our library learning commons -do not utiliz...

LIBE 467 Journey of Discovery: Reference Resources in our Schools - Print versus digital Theme three focused on the various reference materials that are available to our students and staff.  This had me reflect on my experience with reference resources.  Growing up, I recall using print dictionaries and thesauri to help me improve my spelling and writing.  Is there anyone out there who wasn’t frustrated with the teacher’s return of our “fabulous stories” to “fix” vocabulary use or spelling?  Surely enough, bit by bit, my spelling and use of vocabulary improved.  I remember going to a family friend’s home and being in awe at their shelves of encyclopedias.  Image courtesy of: amazon.com My brother and I would pore over the pages for hours, scouring for the most interesting facts.  Now, with the advent of technology, I find myself rarely picking up some of these reference tools.  If I misspell a word, Google (or Word or autocorrect) fixe...