teambuilding using debates

We had a formal lunchtime debate at the McGill Library yesterday, about whether or not the Library will remain a real destination. Although these debates and the topic are not new, it was the first debate in 42 years at McGill, as our moderator pointed out!

This was a really positive and informative activity (lunch was served, which always helps). The speakers were very well prepared, eloquent–and funny! It’s always nice to see your colleagues at their best. It reminded me of our strengths as a group. It also allowed us to share information and to learn about different opinions on this topic (we held a vote to found out what our predisposition was, and we unanimously agreed that the Library will remain a physical destination, so it was good to hear the other side). And more than anything, people laughed, and this is something we don’t do often enough as a group.

We have had other “informational events” (presentations, lectures) but I found this format much more engaging. Other topics for the “summer sessions” include the future of the catalogue and career development.

Social bookmarking in catalogues

Along the Penn Tags’ line, I really hope we can try to allow users to contribute information to the catalogue. I am hoping Amanda and Jeff will be keen on this idea. USask has included publisher’s descriptions of their journals.

An interesting question was posed to me about authority: how can we make sure that our users get to the most “authoritative” information. I don’t think our undergraduate users care, quite frankly, but if it’s an item in our collections, doesn’t that mean it already has a modicum of authority?

The “big picture”

Janine and I had an interesting discussion about how new librarians (and I definitely include myself in this group) could use coaching in how to get the most out of conference presentations. I have learned so much from Janine, and she has been so supportive of me, but most of all, I think what I take away from this relationship is how to try to see the “big picture”.

PBL

I think PBL has great promise for IL instruction. I read an interesting article on it yesterday (funny, it had been in my filing cabinet for years!): Macklin, A.S. (2001). Integrating information literacy using problem-based learning. Reference Services Review, 29: 306 – 314. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006493

My new boss and ideas from others’ conference presentations

OK, so I told my new boss I wasn’t the blogging type but it seems the easiest way to keep track of ideas about T&L and libraries. The first ones are these: we need to focus on how to find answers to questions, not how to find books and articles; how can we use mashups in instruction; we should investigate Penn Tags; and what about a debate on the future of the catalogue, or specific topics in instructional design?