Loriene Roy

Engaging LIS students in reference work through online answer boards

In 2007, public librarian Dave Pardue launched Slam the Boards!, a monthly call for librarians to enter online answer boards such as Yahoo! Answers and answer questions, announcing to the public that they are librarians. Graduate library and information students participated in this required assignment in a basic reference class. Students reported that this experience caused them to reflect on guiding reference documents and their own career plans as they gained confidence in engaging in remote reference service. Recommendations for future involvement calls for in-class demonstration of answer boards, rehearsal, and monitoring of answer boards.

The impact of IT on indigenous peoples

This Special Issue of The Electronic Library on the “Impact of information technology on indigenous peoples” gathers articles from several different countries and cultures in an effort not only to highlight the difficulties faced by indigenous peoples with accessing the Internet or using computers, but also to show how they are aiming at self‐determination and supporting their goals as sovereign nations, as well as preserving their heritage. The articles, in most cases specially written for this Issue, illustrate how tribal nations are using information technology to explore their culture, document these efforts, and share elements of their perspectives with the larger world.

The Value of Service Learning Projects in Preparing LIS Students for Public Services Careers in Public Libraries

Public libraries are uniquely positioned as ideal places for library and information science students to provide service learning experiences due to the nature of public library services and their diverse clientele. As the education and library and information science literature indicate, experiential education of all kinds, including service learning and fieldwork, can be a beneficial component of any educational experience. A case for service learning will be made through a review of experiential education literature and a case study of a service learning experience at a public library in Austin, Texas. Suggestions for best practices in designing service learning projects are provided.

Computer Classes for Job Seekers: LIS Students Team with Public Librarians to Extend Public Services

Graduate library and information students provided a series of computer classes for job seekers at a main public library. Classes covered job searching on the Internet, cover letter writing, resume writing, interviewing skills, and social networking. Patron attendees reported a high satisfaction with the courses, students reported gaining confidence and valuable experience, and the public library staff valued the option of extending services through a ready pool of volunteers.

How do we learn? Contributions of learning theory to reference service and library instruction

Summary This article focuses on some major contributions from learning theory that impact how adults learn. Following an overview of two major learning theories—behavioral and cognitive theories—the authors discuss four factors that affect learning. These are attention, perception, memory, and contiguity and practice. Other topics presented include prior knowledge effect and transfer of knowledge problems. The article closes with five recommendations for incorporating results from learning theory research into reference service and user instruction.

Answering Questions: Incorporating the Human Element Into Reference Librarianship Education

In the November/December issue of American Libraries, Dr. Joe Janes gives a “fond farewell to the Internet Public Library,” which he created in 1995 when he was on the faculty at the University of Michigan (Janes, 2014, p. 27). For many library and information science (LIS) students and their educators, the Internet Public Library (IPL) provided a sound and safe approach to meeting members of the public who expressed their real needs by posting questions online. IPL, now ipl2, provided a structure for students to test and experience the reference techniques that they read about through high quality reference service in real life and real time. Patrons learned to share not only their questions but also how they would use the information they received, what sources they had already consulted, and whether their question was related to a class assignment. Thus, the IPL was both a training tool and an advocacy tool for demonstrating to the public the benefits of working with an information specialist. Janes’ announcement has prompted me to consider how I have incorporated answering questions in the classes that I have taught. While reference service is often blended now with instruction and reader’s advisory, the process of answering questions is both a traditional and contemporary service offered by many libraries. Evidence of this service

Indigenous cultural heritage preservation A review essay with ideas for the future

This literature review shows the realm of Indigenous cultural heritage preservation within libraries is an area still ripe for meaningful exploration and achievement. Yet this field is also still sensitive and potentially harmful for the cultural communities who have entrusted these institutions with their living treasures. Opportunities abound to make a difference, but they may need to evolve from changes in generational attitudes and approaches.

The Relationship of Technology, Culture, and Demography

This chapter discusses the role of information technology and its application in the lives of indigenous peoples. We explore the role of technology as an agent of cultural preservation, the influence of IT on cultural erosion, and its implications on social inclusion and exclusion. We discuss briefly how indigenous peoples have engaged with technology in the past, followed by an introduction to issues of sovereignty. Intellectual and cultural property rights also figure prominently in this discussion.

Volunteers in public libraries: issues and viewpoints

Abstract A review of the American Library Associations 1971 Guidelines For Using Volunteers in Libraries is given as background to a discussion of public library volunteers. Opposing and supporting viewpoints towards volunteer use as expressed in the library literature are presented. The nature of the literature is examined, with special emphasis afforded to the purpose, methodology, and conclusions of research studies. The author concludes that, while the literature on public library volunteers has increased in volume over the past decade, little useful research‐oriented reporting has been undertaken. The author suggests that the topic merits further investigation and research.

Public Library Services for Veterans: Selected Brief Case Studies

ABSTRACT Public libraries across the country design and deliver programs for military veterans and their families, often collaborating with other organizations and agencies. The examples were assembled from both general and specialized interviews with librarians, and literature and Internet searches, with summaries of programs assembled and written by multiple researchers. The specific limitations on the listing in this article are clearly outlined in the first section. Overall, however, the article provides a good introductory overview of what’s going on in veteran’s programs and services in America’s public libraries in over seventy libraries in forty states. We hope this list of what public libraries have organized or are doing will supply other public librarians with ideas on how to provide new services or enhance their existing ones.