How to boost the benefits of your school library services

UQ Seminar: Schools, Scholars and Cybraries - Winning Ways

The University of Queensland Library (UQL) will hold a seminar next week on ways to add value to your secondary school’s learning and information centre.

The seminar will be held on August 6 at 8.30am-3.45pm, The College Playhouse, The Women’s College, St Lucia campus.

UQL Information Skills and Community Outreach Manager Deb Turnbull said that the seminar would demonstrate successful methods of advocacy and positive outcomes for student learning through vibrant library services.

“Cybraries and Libraries are acknowledged as the hub of learning communities. However, school libraries have to actively compete for the ever increasing education dollar,” she said.

“The demand to integrate technology resources into the curriculum has generated growth in specialised library services needing increased financial support.”

“As a result, teacher librarians need to become confident in advocating for support from the school community for library services.”

Speakers include Professor John Mattick, Director of the University’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience; Colleen Clur, Director of UQ’s Office of Marketing and Communications; Mary-Anne Salisbury, President of the Australian School Library Association; and UQ Librarian Janine Schmidt.

The seminar will also help teachers and principals familiarise themselves with the UQL Cyberschool program.

The program, dedicated to providing teachers and students in secondary schools with access to quality electronic information resources for effective teaching and learning, has been active since 1998. Approximately 165 schools subscribe to the program.

The UQL Cyberschool allows schools negotiated discounted access to databases and e-journals, free tours and training in the use of relevant information resources, regular updates for teachers and teacher-librarians, and an introduction to University life for students.

The UQL Cyberschool was recently awarded the International Association of School Librarianship/Softlink Award for Excellence 2004. Details can be found at http://www.cybrary.uq.edu.au/schools

Bookings for the seminar on August 6 are essential. To book, go to http://www.library.uq.edu.au/schools/Seminar_2004/seminar_info_2004_rev2.html or contact 07 3365 6064. Registrations are required by July 30.

For more information, contact Deborah Turnbull (telephone 07 3365 6344, email: d.turnbull@library.uq.edu.au), Noeleen Fleming or Liz Blumson (telephone 07 3365 6064, email: cyberschool@library.uq.edu.au) or Elizabeth Kerr at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2339, email: e.kerr@uq.edu.au).