Information Literacy for Life - College of DuPage Teleconference

Oh, this teleconference was on one of my FAVORITE topics!! The panel talked about their experiences collaborating with other entities to teach/discuss/introduce information literacy skills. The college librarian from American University in Washington, DC, really piqued my interest because of his collaborative work with high schools and his involvement in his college's Teacher Education program. The other two librarians discussed grant projects they had done with information literacy skills & both of those projects were interesting as well. One was on the value of peer mentoring of information literacy skills in a high school setting and the other was about teaching information literacy skills to older adults with an emphasis on health information. I would love to pursue that idea in a collaborative effort with a local public library!
The teleconference was reassuring in the sense that work I've done in the past and am currently engaged in with information literacy collaborations is on track with what other librarians around the country are doing. We are encountering some of the same challenges and have discovered some of the same rewards! A key reminder for me was that collaborations take time and consistent efforts...but it's also important not to bite off more than one can chew!
I was really intrigued by a question that was posed after the panel concluded that asked about collaborating with home school groups...no one on the panel had done that yet. That sounds like a wonderful idea to me!!! Again, another potential area to collaborate with a public library. My focus has been more on local high schools, but the home school association would be a great avenue to head down as well. I also asked a question which the moderator posed to the panel :) I asked what role college librarians can play for high schools that do not have a school librarian. They responded with Advocacy type answers and just getting involved and being a voice. I can see the value in that; it's really a big issue and difficult to know where to start. One more thing to look into...

Lakeview High School - Nov. 7

I had so much fun meeting with the Lakeview 7-12 teaching faculty and principal on Friday, November 7! The meeting was a result of the grant I did a few years ago collaborating with two local high schools using an online information literacy course that I created in D2L. One of the Lakeview teachers attended my Teaching & Learning session on the topic and asked if I would come speak with their faculty.
They want to get a "plan" in place for incorporating more information literacy skills into their curriculum. I thought this initial meeting on Friday went well and I am excited about supporting them through this process!!
This is absolutely one of my favorite topics -- bridging the High School to College gap in library/information literacy, etc. skills!!! So it was a real treat for me to get to go and get on my soapbox and really have interested listeners! :)

MnPALS User Group Meetings - October 29 & 30

MnPALS Consortium User Group meetings were held in Mankato this Fall. We are trying a new format by having one User Group meeting a year and "work days" in the Spring. As a new member of the User Council I enjoyed being part of the planning process and trying a new format this year!! Change, it is refreshing!
I was the Convener for the Circulation Group and the meeting was productive and on time! :) The break-out sessions I attended were very informative and useful. I like the new format, although as part of the Circulation Group Steering Committee, there's lots of work ahead planning a work day for the Spring!
Sessions I attended were: PLIF Error Logs, Weeded Materials, ILL/CIRC Workflow and ILL/CIRC Tables. I also attended the ILL Sub-system meeting and put in 2cents for not being on the Courier route and how that can change workflows for direct borrowing.

I See I Didn't Finish...

I see I didn't finish blogging about the rest of the LUOMA week's experience. It truly was a phenomenal learning experience and I hope I can retain and put into practice what I learned!! I am already looking forward to the Mid-Year Meeting :)