In an effort to "googlize" database searching to appeal to today's students, many library research tools have moved to what is known as Web-scale discovery services. (Think of the library's catalog search.) The intention is to offer a single search box for finding all of the library's physical and electronic resources, which is supposed to be as good as or better than open search engines like Google (Seeber, 2015, p. 20). The problem with Web-scale discovery, though, is that results lists are much longer and may skew relevance rankings depending on the quality of the metadata from various sources; leading to possibly more frustration on the part of students. This "improved" search experience also means that information literacy (IL) instruction should focus more on critical evaluation than on how to use a variety of databases. After all, to be information literate is not just knowing how to use information, but knowing why certain information is more useful than others. One aspect of critical evaluation, therefore, is understanding how information sources are created and what that means for information consumers.
The threshold concept "Information Creation as a Process" in the Association of College and Research Libraries' Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education (2016) states the processes of editing, reviewing and disseminating information can vary depending upon the subject or discipline and its intended audience, and that the end information product reflects these processes. It is the "unique capabilities and constraints of each creation process as well as the specific information need" that determine how the product will be used (ACRL, 2016). Kevin Seeber (2015) proposed using this threshold to engage students in looking critically at information—no matter the format—to decide whether it is applicable to their information need. By looking at the processes information is subjected to instead of teaching students to depend on database limiters to select the "best" sources for them without knowing why, students will learn to recognize scholarly sources are the products of the rigorous processes of research, experimentation and peer-review. As information formats evolve then, and the "journal" as a scholarly publication format goes away, students still will be able to recognize the process that scholarly information sources go through and be able to make sophisticated choices for their information needs.
If you are interested in exploring this threshold concept further or would like to work with a librarian on creating IL instruction on this concept for any of your classes, please let us know!
An image from Doane’s archives was featured on the September cover of College & University Libraries News, a publication from the Association of College & Research Libraries. The publication invites submissions from institutions around the country for unique cover images. Over the summer, Online Learning Librarian Cali Biaggi submitted for consideration several botanical watercolors by Mary Doane. This was done in an effort to continue highlighting work done on the Council of Independent Colleges grant-funded project by Biaggi, Dr. Kim Jarvis, and a number of undergraduate students last year called "The Flora of the Nebraska Tallgrass Prairie: Past and Present." The editor of the publication selected a vibrant painting of yellow and orange daylilies as the September cover.
Mary was the sister of Doane founder Thomas Doane, and was a remarkably accomplished watercolor artist. She lived from 1829 to 1894 and traveled all over the country painting flowers and plants. Many of her stunning works can be seen in our online gallery, with more to be added soon!
This month's student assistant is Cierra Meyer, a senior from Lincoln NE. She is majoring in Biology with a Climate Change emphasis, and plans to continue her education after graduating from Doane in some medical field, such as nursing. We asked her to answer the following questions:
What is your favorite memory of your time at Doane?
My favorite memory would have to be joining a sorority on campus and making lots of close friends.
What do you think is the best kept secret about Perkins Library?
The original Merrill bell is in the basement of the library!
Which is better in your opinion, book series or movie series?
Book series are way better than movie series!
Do you have a fun fact, quote, life motto, comment or question for readers?
A fun fact is that my left thumb is shorter than my right thumb.
Off Campus Access |
Librarian Impact |
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Do you need to do research at home or anywhere else away from the Doane campus? Do you wonder if it's even possible to use library resources when you're not on campus? If your answer to either question is "yes" then this information is for you! Anytime you are off campus, whether that's the Crete or Lincoln campus, you will need to go through an extra step to get access to online resources like the databases. The first time you click on a link for any library resource, you will be prompted to login to the library's proxy server.
When you see the Doane logo on the page just enter your Doane login credentials and you're in! You don't need to login at any other time while you have your browser open (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.). If you get any other login prompts, please contact the library for assistance. |
What kind of impact do librarians have on students and faculty? Do you ever wonder what librarians do all day? If you think librarians sit around all day reading the books in the library, you are sorely misinformed! Doane's librarians are busy teaching students better ways to do research as well as to evaluate and use their sources. In addition, we help students, faculty and staff with their individual research questions. This graphic shows reported activity in the classroom and individualized research help offered to all our users.
Data is from AYs 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22. |
Thanks to Cheyenne Stillinger, Perkins Library once again is active on social media! Our Facebook and Twitter pages have been updated and we have an Instagram account now. Use these QR codes to follow us!
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Monday-Thursday 8am-11pm
Friday 8am-5pm
Saturday 1-5pm
Sunday 2-11pm
Special hours for holidays & breaks
will be posted.
Roger Getz
Director of Perkins Library
Jayne Germer
Learning & E-resources Librarian
Cali Biaggi
Online Learning Librarian
Tammy Roach
Interlibrary Loan Library Assistant
Cheyenne Stillinger
Digitization & Archives Specialist
Fine Arts & Humanities
Cali Biaggi
Science, Technology,
Engineering & Mathematics
Cali Biaggi
Social Sciences
Jayne Germer
College of Education
Jayne Germer
College of Business
Roger Getz
