Information Literacy 2.0

Information Literacy in the Public Library
Adina Lerner, Reference Services Librarian, Santa Monica Public Library
Alan D'Souza, Information Services, San Francisco Public Library
Carol Bean, Beanworks

Adina spoke about largely about presenting information literacy programs for niche groups, like parents needing to better help their children with homework or older adults looking for medical information. She suggested putting surveys about information skills and interests on the log-in screen for public computers. In addition to basic "how to do e-mail" training sessions, her library has also done or hosted programs for the "middle of the road" computer user on managing files and folders, digital photography, eBay skills, and internet security. She also reminded us to look at where else in the community people were learning about information and technology.

Alan showcased the ways San Francisco Public Library and its branches reach out to teach information literacy skills to foreign language speakers. Including a hundred year old Chinese woman who wanted to e-mail her grandkids!

Carol Bean is a Technology Training Consultant, specializing in novice computer training. She spoke about aging factors which change the learning process. Her practical advice and experience was a good reminder to take things like screen size into account when planning programs for older adults. Would older adults be comfortable using the smaller screens and keyboards of laptops for computer training?

Which leads right into my next topic...