PSLA 2013: The Modern Librarian

Posted by EasyBib on May 8, 2013 in Blog Posts | 0 comments

Our booth at PSLA 2013

It was with great pleasure that my first PSLA conference was for its Ruby Anniversary (40 years). I was honored to have been there representing EasyBib, as we were mentioned positively in several workshops. As a company that values the impact librarians make, we’re proud to make an impact on the work of the members of this community. However, nothing we do can measure up to the level of work that librarians are involved in.

Librarian Profile: Jo Davis

Posted by Emily G. on May 7, 2013 in Blog Posts, Librarian profile | 1 comment

Jo Davis

Librarian, Chatham High School
Chatham, VA

Photo courtesy of Jo Davis, via Altavista Journal

The latest installment in our ongoing librarian profile series features librarian Jo Davis, who works at Chatham High School in Chatham, VA. In March, she was named Librarian of the Year in the Roanoke Region of the Virginia Association of School Librarians.

Much of Jo’s life has been spent in libraries. Throughout secondary school and college, she worked as a student library assistant (some of her schools didn’t even have a librarian). Initially, she dodged the idea of becoming a librarian; it wasn’t until she was earning her Master’s in Media that she realized the connection between her degree and librarianship, and then it clicked–“Oh, this is what I was supposed to have been doing!”

The Tools Your Students Need

Posted by Stephanie Van Cleave on May 7, 2013 in Blog Posts, Featured Slider Post | 0 comments

I am one of more than 8 million people who call New York City home. With so many people, it is nearly impossible not to meet someone new everyday, and the conversations usually leads to what I do for work. When I mention that I work for EasyBib, they always go, “Wow! I love EasyBib.” With over 40 million users, I’m no longer surprised by just how many people are aware of our product. It is the enthusiasm with which they respond that blows me away; genuine excitement for a research tool, our research tool. These chance encounters have me thinking, “How many students use educational technology to assist in their research and what has been the outcome?”

An Oldie But a Goodie

Posted by Stephanie Van Cleave on May 6, 2013 in Blog Posts | 0 comments

To this day I write all my to-do lists, emails, and essays on actual paper before transcribing them into my phone or computer. The action of putting a pen to paper and seeing what I have produced keeps me engaged and connected to my work even as the professional, social and educational climates become increasingly digital.

It’s not groundbreaking knowledge that people learn best through various media. I am no exception. Generally speaking, there are five types of learners:

• Visual
• Auditory
• Verbal
• Logical
• Kinesthetic

ACRL 2013: Library Conversations

Posted by Caitlyn Selleck on Apr 22, 2013 in Blog Posts | 0 comments

While at ACRL, I had the pleasure of speaking with Michele Van Hoeck of Project Information Literacy and Instruction Coordinator at California Maritime Academy. She really summed up why ACRL is such a great conference.

I couldn’t agree more. I talked to so many interesting people and attended so many interesting sessions, including one hosted by Michele about using Wikipedia to strengthen students’ information literacy skills.

I was also able to speak with two MLS candidates from the University of Maryland iSchool, Bridgette Hendrix and Margaret Leist, who were both ACRL first-time attendees.

Margaret said of the conference, “As a first-time attendee, I really appreciate the opportunity to interact with practicing professionals in the field and to see first-hand the innovative products that are shaping where the field is going.”

I was also able to talk to Bridgette about a very exciting project that she, Margaret, and several other students from the University of Maryland are currently working on.  She and her fellow students have learned a lot about the fact that many current and incoming college students lack the research skills necessary for post-secondary education. These students are now taking action on this issue and are planning an information literacy mentorship program with a few students at the University of the District of Columbia. After careful training, students involved with iDiversity would partner with a UDC student, and would lead them in a series of information literacy lessons, starting during their second summer session this year.

The group is currently exploring the information literacy instruction and assessment provided by ResearchReady and may use it with this student population.

It’s conversations like these that make ACRL worth the trip! We hope to see you in Portland, OR in 2015!

Caity Selleck is the in-house librarian for EasyBib and ResearchReady. You can find her on Twitter, @Caity_EasyBib, or posting news you can use at the EasyBib Librarians Facebook page.