Social Work Library 2.0: A Case Study
In 1998, the university closed its branch library at the School of Social Work, and placed 20 networked computers into the previous library space. The former library was remodeled into a “paperless” information center. From where, social work students are able to access library online catalogs, e-books and ejournals, e-reserves, online document delivery and various other online research tools. Within this electronic library environment, the information center’s web site becomes the main platform for organizing the library’s collection and delivering the library’s reference, instruction and outreach services. Since 2006, we have been applying various Web2.0 technologies, such as blog, RSS feed, video pod casting, and online chat on the website. Currently the evidence-based practice is a major focus of the social work professional education. Based on the web site, we have offered numerous workshops and online tutorials on research and information literacy, teaching the future social workers not only how to locate evidence-based information, but also new approaches to access and exchange information in the digital world. We also realized that information literacy education is not just a library issue. It requires collaboration between all educators. Therefore, in addition to serving the students, we launched “Library2.0! Initiative” for faculty in 2007, which include workshops on discovering digital libraries, brown bags on decoding new online technologies, and customized resources and support to enhance their teaching and research.
Keywords: Academic Branch Library, Electronic Library, Information Center, Digital Library, Library Services, Library Web Site
Grace Xu
Work Librarian, School of Social Work, University of Southern California
|
Ref: LS7P0073