The Not-So-Secret World of Government Information

American Association of Law Libraries July 15, 2008

Janet Fisher, Arizona State Library, Archives and Public RecordsMeg Martin, Wyoming State Law Library

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The Project

Goal: Train librarians, library staff and library school students to locate and use online government information sources.

Background: Collaboration by documents staffs in 5 Western

states (AZ, NM, CO, UT, WY), received IMLS funding to enable the training of our colleagues in the use of e-government tools.

Grant period from Federal fiscal year 2007 through fiscal year 2008. (Future?)

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Issues this project addresses :

Electronic resources are increasingly more available.

Reference desks cover all subject areas. Government information is one of the largest, if

not the largest, groups of free information on the Internet.

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Who will lead?

Current phase -

University of Colorado - Boulder

Library grants officer was a vital key in moving forward. Strong regional. (Other 4 state's coordinators assist Project Coordinator.)

Work beginning on plans for next phase (starting 2009?) - Minnesota lead project.

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Decision to use OCLC’s WebJunction

Able to load training information onto site and share it widely

Promoted by many states for the use of public and other libraries

Other resources available: wikis, discussion forums, classes on other topics, blogs, and informational articles

Willingness to work with us in project development

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Our specific page within WebJunction for Government Information in the 21st Century:

www.webjunction.org/gi21

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A variety of topics, with sites and guides provided for each:

ELECTIONS & POLITICAL PROCESSmaps & transportation Demographics

Agriculture Legal InformationRecreation & Culture KIDS STUFF

Immigration and CitizenshipSmall Business and Entrepreneurship economy

International Relations & Foreign InformationHistory and Genealogy Energy & Natural Resources

Consumer Information Crime and JusticeEducation Military, War & Homeland Security

Weather & Climate Education EnvironmentMaps and Transportation Health &

Medicine

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A variety of trainer materials:tools for finding useful websites and for working through questions

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Coordination at the state level

State Coordinators: issue survey on topic interest, with follow-

up as needed provide guidance and local coordination provide training packets for presentations prepare statistics on sessions ensure trainers meet module presentation

goals

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PEW study

User Satisfaction with Access to Government Information & Services at Public Libraries & Public Access Computing Centers

Principal Investigator: Leigh Estabrook

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Evolving approaches to training in government information What do people want to learn?

Survey colleagues from the whole state

How can this learning be useful for many? Develop a tool with consistency in format

How do adults learn?

Integrate teaching principals from adult education experts

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How we train

Train-the-trainer (who trains the trainer)Get to know other trainers (support) Introduction to the grant; requirements of the

grantBest practices with adult learners – selected

reading listFamiliarization with modules - demonstrationPlan for state programs and share ideas

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Best practices

The most effective training method = hands-on searching Interactive learning – tactile memoryResulted in immediate use/integrationAnd – attendees became confident about

sharing with patrons and co-workers

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Training methods

Discussion/lecture - using “local” scenarios Post prepared materials on library website

for ready reference Pamphlets with URL’s Handouts Business cards

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WebJunction

Module DevelopmentDriven by reference &/or teaching

experiencesConsistent format – “recipe”

Wiki AccessibleFamiliarCollaborative learning/teaching toolTime saving device

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Support and follow-up by Grant

Grant provided parameters for training, reporting, reimbursement.

Grant provided ideas about where/when to provide training.

Easily adaptable to a variety of training situations.

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Future of this program Develop sustainability plans to continue

the work already done.

Work with GPO, state and national professional associations and local groups to support and market program.

Test ability to coordinate a national program through marketing, training, and evaluation.

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How we have done: Target: Train 550 librarians, library staff, and

library school students.Status on June 1, 2008 - 633 attendees trained

Target: Each trainer provide a minimum of 2 training sessions.Status on June 1, 2008 - Half of the trainers completed this requirement. All trainers had presented at least one session.

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Training Sessions by State (as of June 1, 2008)

Colorado26

Utah 10

Arizona18

Wyoming6

New Mexico

11TOTAL 71

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After the training, attendee comments: Good beginning training; now for some

practice and use … More in-depth training … The presentation was great! Wished it was

longer … More handouts … More hands-on practice …

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Not from these 5 states? How can you participate? Project expansion possibilities (FY 2009-

2010). Contact the Project Coordinator and express your interest.

Look at the guides on WebJunction . Try them.

Offer your assistance with future modules or updating current modules.

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Remember the website and visit it periodically for updated guides and

information:

www.webjunction.org/gi21

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Government Information in the 21st Century

The Government Information in the 21st Century Program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Additional support is provided by the University of Colorado at Boulder as well as Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records; New Mexico State Library; Wyoming State Library; and University of Utah.