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From The Libraries
Instruction in the use of libraries and information resources has always been important in higher education. In light of today’s constantly changing and developing information technology, this activity is more crucial than ever. An MIT education must include information literacy – the ability to identify an information need and then find, analyze, and present that information.
In 1998, the Institute Task Force on Student Life and Learning emphasized that future developments in information technology will center around content rather than facilities and equipment, and recommended that the MIT Libraries should play a teaching role so that students will acquire lifelong skills in locating, filtering, evaluating, and using effectively the wealth of information available to them.
Student interest in library and information instruction was made clear by the spring 1998 Libraries’ survey of MIT undergraduate and graduate students. The results of this survey indicated that 71% of the respondents would like to have instruction in finding information and using library resources. When asked what methods would be most useful, 63% were interested in instruction through library handouts and brochures, 62% through the library’s Web site, 56% through online tutorials, 40% through individual instruction at the reference desk, 27% at workshops, 18% by appointment with a librarian, and 11% during regularly scheduled class time. The MIT Libraries are actively working toward meeting these needs.
Collaboration with Faculty
As a result of the Libraries’ Public Services Redefinition (described in this column in the May/June issue of MIT Libraries Faculty Newsletter), earlier efforts in library instruction are being strengthened with new activities and the creation of an Instruction Committee, whose purpose is to educate the MIT community in the effective use of information. Toward this goal, the MIT Libraries seek to collaborate with faculty in the educational process.
Librarians are helping to meet educational objectives by teaching students important information literacy skills. Some of these skills include:
Library staff have collaborated successfully in recent years with faculty on a number of courses, including Introduction to Psychology and the Mechanical Engineering senior design lab. Working with faculty and teaching assistants, a librarian can:
To discuss this further, faculty are encouraged to send e-mail to the Instruction Committee at instruct-lib@mit.edu, or to contact either of the committee’s co-convenors, Poping Lin, x3-9321 plin@mit.edu or Jennie Sandberg, x-9349 jssandbe@mit.edu.
In addition to course-related instruction, the Libraries utilize many methods to help students and other members of the MIT community learn to use information resources effectively. A variety of brochures are available at all library locations and guides may be accessed through the library Web page http://libraries.mit.edu. In addition, the Libraries offer orientation programs, special workshops, and individual instruction.
Orientation
Library staff participate in all of the Institute’s orientation activities – for international students, undergraduates, and graduate students. Included are library tours, introductory materials on library services, and quick instruction on basic information retrieval strategies and skills.
This year the Libraries have been experimenting with new ways of presenting library orientation to incoming students. The MIT Freshman Exploration series included a local author reading in the Humanities Library, a treasure hunt in Science, and a Dewey Library information fair.
Using another medium, a ten-minute video spoof of the "X-Files" set within an MIT context, was written and produced by the MIT Libraries in collaboration with MIT Video Productions, in an attempt to combine information literacy with entertainment. The video was shown at several orientation events, on MIT Cable during orientation week, and has been mounted on the Web at http://libraries.mit.edu/services/orientation-video.html.
Workshops
The Libraries present workshops on mastering specific information skills. Some are offered during the fall and spring semesters, and many choices are available during IAP. Topics range from Barton, the online catalog; to specific databases such as Arts & Humanities Citation Index, Lexis/Nexis, MEDLINE, and IEEE/IEE Electronic Library Online; to the very popular Patent Searching Workshop. These workshops are announced on the library Web page and are publicized around the campus.
Individual Instruction
Students may request individualized instruction, usually taking 10 to 30 minutes. This can be initiated by a request at any Reference Desk or by making an appointment with a library subject specialist.
Future Plans for Interactive Web Tutorials
The Libraries are planning to develop a series of interactive Web tutorials to promote information literacy. An example of a topic is instruction in the effective use of various Web search engines. There will be several benefits from this approach. As shown once again by the results of the Libraries’ 1998 student survey, different people have different learning styles. While some learn best by coming to the library or to a workshop, others learn the same skills more successfully through online study. Moreover, this type of instruction will be available any time, and any place with Web access, rather than during library staff hours or at the time of a specifically scheduled workshop. Finally, this methodology will make use of new media and new technologies. When this project is started, the Libraries will be seeking faculty input.
In this and other instructional projects, library staff are very interested in receiving comments, suggestions, and feedback on both current instructional activities and ideas for the future. We encourage faculty members to contact the Instruction Committee instruct-lib@mit.edu, or any of the librarians. We are eager to work with you to create ever-improved approaches to building our students’ lifelong information skills.
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