Research Guides at Western Kentucky University: Empowering our Users through eLiteracy
Haiwang Yuan, Michael Binder, and Bryan Carson
Western Kentucky University
USA
Paper: 1/2 hour
Empowerment, Enhancement, Enrichment
In the recent past, we have seen many information technology-related developments, including the emergence of information portals, e-books, virtual reference, web-based databases, wireless networking, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cell phones with digital convergence technology. At the same time, we have also witnessed an exponential explosion of information in multiple formats. In this environment where users are floundering in a swamp of information and wandering in a growing jungle of information technology devices, it is especially imperative that we, as information professionals, empower our users with both information literacy and information technology literacy. We are in an age of knowledge. Users are no longer satisfied with only our assistance in their search for information. What they need is information that has been properly managed and processed--information useful in enhancing their knowledge and lifelong learning.
With this in mind, Western Kentucky University Libraries developed its research guides as a collaboration between teaching faculty and librarians, both of whom are in close contact with our primary users, the student body. To enable broad access for our users, we incorporated the research guides into our library portal, Topper InfoPortal (TIP), and provided diverse platforms including personal computers, laptops, and PDAs.
This presentation will describe the creation, the content, and the features of the research guides, and show how they are incorporated within the portal in the context of eLiteracy. Not only do the research guides packaged within the portal help users perform searches and find resources, they also supply valuable information about evaluation of sources, citation practices, and copyright issues. We will suggest that the research guides/information portal concept can serve as a model for information professionals to empower their users through eLiteracy.
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