October 8, 2001 Meeting of User Education Committee

Agenda not yet available.

Members Present: Sue Searing – Chair, Linda Ackerson, Cindy Ashwill, Bob Burger, Lori DuBois, Frances Jacobson Harris, Karen Hogenboom, Lynne Rudasill, Sarah Reisinger, Jane Wiles

Members Absent: Paul Callister, Christopher Quinn

Additional Attendees: Julia Spann (GA)

Sue called the meeting to order at 9:00am by asking for any revisions to the minutes or the agenda.

Nothing was added to the agenda. Meeting minutes from the September 10, 2001 meeting were reviewed by email prior to the meeting. Minutes will be posted on the committee web site and LON.

1. Budget Request for FY 2002-2003

Budget requests are still being submitted. Sue recounted that two items got approved last year: Permanent funding for the GA position and the new Coordinator for Information Literacy Services and Instruction position. Outstanding items are:

• Screen capture software (to facilitate teaching of search strategies)
• Sending 2 librarians to user education-related conferences
• Budget line for publications, handouts & flyers (currently funded by individual libraries)
• Wired classroom
• Office space and furnishings for coordinator position
• Lori requested that Committee add in New portable laptop computer and projector.

Discussion pursued on these items. Fear was expressed that budget cuts may lead to a hold on the search for the Coordinator of Information Literacy Services and Instruction and/or other budget items.

Cindy requested that Committee also add in New library brochure

With respect to the search history capturing software, Lynne committed to following up on research on costs and options suitable for this environment. Frances promised to share information with Lynne about shareware she has used successfully to download web pages.

Sue asked that everyone get their budget line item requests in to her by e-mail before November and that Committee members identify whether this is a one-time cost or a recurring cost.

2. Updates and Reports

Bob Burger – Coordinator for Information Literacy Services & Instruction

• The position description has been released.
• Nominations are being accepted and should be submitted as soon as possible to Bob. November 29th is the target close date for the search. [Cindy Kelly and Bernice Harrington of the Library Personnel Office are helping with the search

Sarah Reisinger – Learning Community Tours:

• The tours went really well with only 2 communication errors that Sarah and others were able to resolve creatively.
• There were over 700 student participants.
• Frances received positive comments and added that this is a valuable service to keep and continue.
• Sue had conducted four tours and gathered that 25-30 people is too high a number for a tour; but in view of the short time frame, this was the best that could be done. It is hoped that the next round of tours would be closer to the ideal number (12-15 people). This could possibly be achieved by adding a 6th tour group. Sarah concurred.

Lori DuBois – Workshops

• Workshops are slow going.
• Instructors are still becoming aware of procedures and options.
• Many of the 971 students required to take the workshops are opting to take the online tutorials.
• Workshop registration and follow-up operations (i.e., quiz-taking) have been hampered by technical difficulties (many of which stem from the recent computer virus).
• Suggestion was made to home in more closely on providing instruction in the residence halls and connecting with Ann Wilkens, the Residence Hall Librarian. Lori is already working with Ann on this.

Sue Searing – Feedback on Library-GSLIS Teaching Alliance Event

• Jeni Weidenbenner, the GA for the Teaching Alliance, told Sue that feedback was pretty positive.
• Beth Woodard and Kirby Barrick’s presentations met expectations and provided useful information.
• The #1 item of interest for future sessions was “teaching in a computer lab v. teaching in a classroom.”
• Friday, October 19th, 11:30am-1:30pm (GSLIS 126), Christine Jenkins and Jill Gengler will address teaching with technology.
  • Other topics that participants expressed interest in exploring include:
  • Presentation skills
  • Assessment of presentations
  • Facilitating discussion and debate within a classroom
  • Active learning
  • Learning styles and how to develop classes that address different learning styles
  • Cross-cultural students
  • Teaching portfolios
  • Sue is working with Linda Smith, Dean Pappajohn (OIR) and Beth Woodard on Teaching Alliance plans and will be drawing on local resources for the most part.
  • Frances added that a lot of people want personal coaching. Sue noted that it will require organization. Dean Papajohn has been willing in the past to work with instructors and provide feedback on their teaching styles.
  • Sarah mentioned that feedback can be helpful even from peers.
  • It was thought that the GA, Jeni, could facilitate the logistics of peer observation.
  • Registration online for the October 19 event will be available shortly. Notices will go out through LIBFAC-L.

3. Other Discussion

Room 428 – Potential Use for instruction: The policy is unclear on use of this room for instruction. Bob will follow up with Bart on the policy and report back to the Committee.

October 25th (Thursday) Luncheon: These luncheons can be used to continue building the momentum around topics discussed at the Teaching Alliance events. Please RSVP to Julia Spann at spann@uiuc.edu at least one week prior to event (October 18th).

4. Strategies for Updating and Maintaining “Learn to Use the Library” web site

Each member who takes a section will focus on getting the current CONTENT updates and submit them to Lori. Sections will be reviewed before posted. Some pages will be linked to Circulation pages. The following is a list of commitments made to web site section updates:

• Visitor Page:(Must involve several people, on and off the committee)
• Faculty: Lynne
• Alumni & Library Friends: Cindy (will contact Roxanne Frey also)
• Visiting Scholars: Sarah

Bob will follow up with CCSO on rules governing NetIDs for visiting scholars.

Sue mentioned that she will keep the group focused on keeping the web site current.

Meeting adjourned at 10:25am.