Blog Post Three: Knowledge to Gain Confidence
Encyclopaedias, Atlases, dictionaries, maps and indexes have
all somewhat changed and evolved with the accessibility to the Internet. This
course has been surprisingly interesting and helpful in learning about
alternatives to print sources, different uses, costs, and how to evaluating
these sources.
I began thinking about how before, I knew that the
collection in my current and past library were old, but was hesitant to weed
them out. I knew of other materials/ online versions to replace them. But that
voice in my head saying they are classic, or were expensive kept me at arms
length of doing something about the collection and space taken by these
materials.
When it comes to having the newest picture books or chapter
book in the library, I know how to source that out with ease. I know how to use
my resources and people around me to buy these items. From asking students
about their interests, going to the bookstore, recommendations from colleagues
and other professionals, list from bloggers I respect, ideas from twitter and
pro-d day events. Most Fiction and Non-Fiction purchasing and weeding is fun
and easy to have a conversation about.
But lets be realistic, when it comes to Encyclopaedias,
Atlases, dictionaries, maps and indexes …. When is that last time at your
school you’ve had a conversation in the staff room about the newest dictionary,
or the online atlas. Not as much as the Fiction discussions that’s for sure.
Having discussions with each other and learning how to
evaluate and getting new ideas on how to use or substitute reference materials
has really helped me develop more confidence in
We have old encyclopaedias, and now I feel like I have
enough knowledge to confidently have them gone from our collections and replace
with some specific encyclopaedias, as well as promote world book, which our
school has free access to through our district. Since reading the Wikipedia articles I have more knowledge to talk to the students/staff about when and how to use Wikipedia
and some of the cautions.
My reflection is a little more on the whole course than
specifically unit three. But unit three offered specific information about
reference materials that will help me inform others and make better choices
around those materials in my collection.
References:
"Encyclopedia Cartoons and Comics." Encyclopedia Cartoons and Comics - funny pictures from CartoonStock. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.
Orlandini, Nicoletta. "40's." Pinterest. N.p., 09 Mar. 2014. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.
Travis Jonker on April 2, 2017, Elizabeth Bird on April 2, 2017, Travis Jonker on April 1, 2017, Robin Willis on March 31, 2017, Lori Henderson on March 31, 2017, Battle Commander on March 31, 2017, Battle Commander on March 30, 2017, and Amanda MacGregor on March 30, 2017. "Can We Make Peace with Wikipedia?" School Library Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.
References:
"Encyclopedia Cartoons and Comics." Encyclopedia Cartoons and Comics - funny pictures from CartoonStock. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.
Orlandini, Nicoletta. "40's." Pinterest. N.p., 09 Mar. 2014. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.
Travis Jonker on April 2, 2017, Elizabeth Bird on April 2, 2017, Travis Jonker on April 1, 2017, Robin Willis on March 31, 2017, Lori Henderson on March 31, 2017, Battle Commander on March 31, 2017, Battle Commander on March 30, 2017, and Amanda MacGregor on March 30, 2017. "Can We Make Peace with Wikipedia?" School Library Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.
A decent overview of the 'big picture' of the whole course with some good discussion of the specifics of theme 3. Your connection to new confidence, better awareness and understanding and practical realities is refreshing and demonstrates strong commitment to our course together.
ReplyDeleteAmanda:
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate your hesitance to weed your reference section - I feel that way too. Hopefully, armed with our new knowledge and list of online alternatives, we can get the job done...
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteSomething that helped to get me going on the weeding process was to invite another more experienced TL to come and give me a hand. She was that third party who had no connection to the school but helped by asking me the cold hard questions about how the resources were or were not being used. She helped me to understand how valuable shelf space was and that our job was to have material be signed out and not in. I do understand that we have to know our own schools and it's needs, but it was a good jumpstart to get me going which helped me to disconnect with the feelings your were sharing about resources being expensive. If they're not being used despite your efforts then they best be gone.
Yes, as Carly was saying, it helps to get experienced help in order to build that confidence that your vision for weeding and improving reference services is a good one.
ReplyDeleteAnd definitely not beneficial to clutter up the shelves with outdated, unused reference materials—makes the Library, and us, look obsolete. When we weed thoroughly and reinvigorate the collection, add in digital resources and so on, it makes the space more inviting and relevant.