Free Virtual Information Literacy Workshops

Are you looking for ideas for integrating information literacy concepts into a course or instruction session? The Ohio State University Libraries is hosting a series of free virtual workshops on information literacy topics this fall. Workshops are open to librarians, faculty, staff and graduate teaching assistants from any institution. Participants should leave the workshops with ideas and resources for teaching a range of information literacy concepts and skills.

Key topics include:

• Evaluating Information: Teaching the Lateral Reading Strategy: In this workshop, participants will learn about alternatives to the CRAAP test that we can use to help students more effectively evaluate sources.
• Teaching Scholarship as Conversation: Participants will learn about activities and resources to help students understand and engage with scholarly conversations.
• Information Literacy and Digital Wellness: Participants will explore the idea of “digital wellness” and consider the intersections with information literacy.
• Information Literacy and Data Literacy: In this workshop, participants will learn more about the intersections of information literacy and data literacy.
• Wicked Information Literacy: This workshop will be based on ideas and strategies from Paul Hanstedt’s book, Creating Wicked Students: Designing Courses for a Complex World.

Workshops take place on Thursdays from noon-1:00 via Zoom. For a full list of upcoming workshops and registration links, go to: https://u.osu.edu/teachinginfolit/teaching-information-literacy-workshops/virtual-workshop-series/. For questions, contact Jane Hammons, Teaching & Learning Engagement Librarian (hammons.73@osu.edu). 

–Jane Hammons, ACRL Representative, The Ohio State University

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Learn about 11 Google Docs features, shortcuts, and tips from Wonder Tools’ blog post “Try These Google Docs Tricks.”

–Dana Knott, Distance Learning Interest Group Chair, Columbus State Community College

Register for the Ohio Collection Analysis Initiative – a new, free professional development opportunity from the State Library of Ohio.

The Ohio Collection Analysis Initiative gives you the dedicated space, time, and resources to truly consider how diversity and representation are reflected in your collections of children’s and young adult titles. What kind of impact could this have on your community?

This initiative has been fully funded for statewide use by the State Library of Ohio. All Ohio educators and library staff have exclusive access! These tools are simple, easy to learn and use, and built for seamless implementation into your existing practices.

Register here for access to the Ohio Collection Analysis Initiative.

Through participating, you’ll also receive full use of TeachingBooks—a comprehensive collection of digital resources that personalize and enrich connections to children’s and young adult books. This means unlimited access for everyone in your community, at no cost to your library or school district! Register today.

Audience: Any educators and library staff working in Ohio who maintain collections of children’s & young adult books. These collections could be part of a school or classroom library, a featured display, a summer reading list—any set of books that are visible to young readers.

Notable highlights from this impactful initiative: 

• Free for staff working in all types of Ohio schools and libraries!
• There are no time constraints for completing this program. Set your own goals and progress at your own pace.  
• Personalized support. You have access to a dedicated, full-time specialist for assistance at any time.
• Unlimited access to a Collection Analysis Toolkit. This toolkit complements any collection development work you already have in place. 
• Unlimited access to a vetted collection of materials about children’s & young adult books and authors.  
• Identifiable action steps. You will receive a custom Implementation Plan that outlines your collection development decisions and next steps.

Register here for access to the Ohio Collection Analysis Initiative.

The Ohio Collection Analysis Initiative is a collaborative project of the State Library of Ohio and TeachingBooks.net. The project is funded in whole or in part with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds granted to the State Library of Ohio.  The opinions and content expressed do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of IMLS or the State Library of Ohio, and no official endorsement by either agency should be inferred.  This initiative is available for exclusive use by any Ohio library staff. Distributing the Handbook and/or links to any of its components outside of Ohio is prohibited. This material may be shared with colleagues within Ohio.

–Jake Stone, TeachingBooks and Book Connections