Podcast of information literacy information from Curtin University of Technology Library and Information Service

Podcast of information literacy information from Curtin University of Technology Library and Information Service Podcasts @ your library

New (To Me) Library Podcasts David's Random Stuff, October 13, 2006

In doing some research for my ACRL Virtual Institute talk, I ran across a couple of interesting new to me library podcasts.

The Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology Library has launched a new podcast called TheBRAINcast. They've done three episodes so far including a library tour (featuring a student), information on reference services (including chat) and e-books. They're aiming to publish every two weeks and look to be on schedule so far. They've had five different people talking in the three episodes, which lends a great variety of voices. continue reading

Google for more Podcasts ... library

Learning Activities for Virtual Reference

Taxonomies in practice: Benjamin S. Bloom Taxonomy of educational objectives

Thinking Levels	Learning Activity
Knowledge	Define virtual reference services.
Comprehension	Explain how virtual reference services complement other library services.
Application	Think of examples of the types of library users served by virtual library services or the types of libraries that offer such services. Are there any patron or library types that are not suited for this approach?
Analysis	Describe the features of the virtual reference services described in the readings.
Synthesis	Develop a set of criteria that can be used to measure the success or failure of virtual reference services.
Evaluation	Using the criteria developed above, compare/contrast the features and relative effectiveness of services described in the readings. Submit the same question to three virtual reference services and compare the interactions and answers

Adapted from McWhorter, Kathleen T. Study and Critical Thinking Skills in
College, Fifth Edition. New York, 2003. in An Introduction to Reference Services in Academic Libraries

Job Pathfinder - Join the race

During my recent hunt, I learnt a few things; may be documenting this learning curve helps someone:

How to write a cover letter (2 column), resume (2 or three column, including what they say about you), networking (with 47 types of relationships), going to an interview with a BUSINESS PLAN, and be sure to send THANK U (in case they missed you), to those who interviewed--moral is don't burn any bridges behind, you may be called anytime later.

Click here for a full picture: [doc file] My Job Pathfinder

NB. Also know the mantra that WORKS, viz., SHARE [as says the Guru, Pul C Green, author of GET HIRED]:

[PS. depends on which agency trains you, some call it: Accomplishment statements; some call it: Skill benfits map (i.e., show and tell in resume & in Interview) -- follow any guru, but make sure your path has the following]

1. Situation (describe a scenario)
2. Hindrance (explain what you was the bug)
3. Action (what was the strategy to deal with the situation)
4. Result (based on your action, state what was the result, or reaction, positive or negative)
5. Evaluate (sum up the effect of your scenario)

See also an excellent resource for Job Hunt

Google for much more
Technocrati
Job Pathfinder
Pathfinders

Show Your Business Plan

Most frequent question in a job interview:

... 'How do you think you will go about this job?' This is a perfect opportunity for you to show your business plan. If the question is not asked, you should find an opportunity to bring the conversation to a point where you can show your plan, preferably earlier in the proceedings, rather than later.

Continue reading the whole strategy @@@ Copyright: seltekconsultants.co.uk; Second Interview Checklist [in Sales jobs, science vacancies, technical engineering recruitment ]

Business plan is also called: Proposal for service

Another scenario is if you have a clear idea of the position, a proposal for service, addressing specifics of the job, would be a strong follow up. (Be careful not to "give away the store"; in other words, don't be that detailed. Make them want more.) Of course, the letter will be carefully edited and look great.

Whatever is the name, show your skills, competency and interests (in precise way), and my include (in your resume or a project proposal for a task in an academic environment):

Description of Context.—Does the proposal describe the real-life environment and context in which the work will occur, particularly the client characteristics, organizational resources, state-of-the-art in the field, cultural milieu, unit mission, and personnel having particular relevance to the problem being addressed? Is there a relevant history of prior work regarding the problem? Are any assumptions being made about the present and future course of the situation, e.g., future funding? Which Career Center stakeholders are and are not impacted by the proposed program?
Continue reading from CAREER CENTER MANUAL, PHILOSOPHY, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES

See my previous posts on Cover Letter:

A Cover Letter Pinpointing Their Needs and Your Skills

Interviews, Doing presentations at ...

Web Analytics - A Librarian's Outlook

Urchin & web analytics

A while back I’d ranted a bit about some of the troubles I was experiencing with our current web server log analysis package (AWStats) and a commercial package I was test driving at the time (WebTrends). Fortunately, with the installation of the geoip-free plugin for AWStats and a little help from my Perl guru husband, we managed to get a customized domain report from our free web log analysis package while managing to steer clear of a (not free) platform- and browser-specific solution. continue reading

E-Metrics: Measures for Electronic Resources

The E-Metrics project is is an effort to explore the feasibility of defining and collecting data on the use and value of electronic resources. Although ARL has some experience in tracking expenditures for electronic resources through the ARL Supplementary Statistics, there is a widely held recognition that more work needs to take place in this area.

Whats making news:

Web Analytics - An Absolute Imperative, by Chuck Richard from OutsellNow on September 20, 2006,

A Study of Website Navigation Methods, Thomas S. Tullis, Ellen Connor, Lori LeDoux, Ann Chadwick-Dias, Marty True, & Michael Catani, Fidelity Investments

My previous posts

Wheels for Google, Google on Wheels

The Six A’s for Evaluating Web Content

God.com: Web Analytics Series no.2

Beliefnet.com: Web Analytics Series no.1