I am looking forward to the CONUL/SCONUL seminar in Dublin next week. Jo Webb and I will be giving a talk entitled “Information Literacy in a researcher’s learning life”, based on a paper we (and Pat Gannon-Leary) recently submitted to the New Review of Information Networking.

Moon rising over the Grand Canyon

http://www.sconul.ac.uk/g…acy/events.html

Some people might recall a programme called EduLib which ran several years ago in the UK, aiming to develop teaching skills for library staff. Having attended the original course in 1998, Christine Purcell from Durham University and I set up some cascade workshops which we entitled LibLearn (Library staff facilitating learning). We ran collaborative workshops for both professional and para-professional staff from all 5 academic libraries in NE England.
This month, we have rejuvenated LibLearn and are running a series of workshops for library assistants. LibLearn 2008 aims to help library staff understand how they can encourage students to become independent learners. It looks at learning styles, attitudes and habits, communication and enquiry skills. The first workshop seemed to be very well received so we’re hoping the next two will be too.

Bryce Canyon, USA Aug 2007

I just realised I haven’t mentioned on the blog that Pat Gannon-Leary and I are giving a talk at the UCRG Northern Group Autumn event at Durham University on the afternoon of 3rd Dec. Entitled “Supporting researchers in academic libraries” the event also includes talks by Michael Jubb, Director, Research Information Network (RIN) and Eleanor Loughlin,Graduate Training Officer and Nicola Siminson,Researcher Training Librarian from Durham Univesity. Pat and I will be talking about some of the research we did for our book.

Birds at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley. I never did look up what they were!

The SCONUL Working Group on Information Literacy is organising a joint CONUL/SCONUL one-day seminar at Dublin City University on 31st January 2008. Entitled “Information strategies for researchers : where are we making a difference?” it features lots of interesting talks from people such as Andrew Booth, Angela Newton, Dermot Diamond, Sheila Webber, Marie Reddan and myself and Jo Webb. Jo and I will be using some of the research from our book to talk about info lit in a researcher’s learning life.

Half Dome Yosemite National Park, Aug 2007

http://www.sconul.ac.uk/g…acy/events.html

Last week I was involved in a workshop here at Newcastle supporting candidates for the next NTF scheme. Participants were mainly academic staff, with just a couple of “support” or, as our VC likes to call us, “professional” staff present. There are still only a few librarians who are NTFs and it would be great to have some more. David Sadler from the HEA is coming to the next WGIL meeting to discuss this issue and think about how more librarians might be encouraged to join the HEA and apply to the NTFS. If there’s anyone out there who is thinking of applying, then stop thinking and do it! I’d be very happy to give advice if you need it.

Death Valley USA