LIBRARY INSTRUCTION IS ALIVE AND GROWING IN WISCONSIN

The past half a year in Wisconsin libraries has seen many innovative ideas and much dedicated work in the realm of library instruction. Wisconsin is blessed with two fine library and information science schools as well as an active state library association, Wisconsin Library Association (WLA), and an effective library service organization, Wisconsin InterLibrary Services (WILS). These groups all contribute in various manners to the goal of improving library instruction.

The University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Library and Information Studies offers a robust series of programs for professionals which often incorporate the theme of instruction. For instance, one of their most recent programs, "Training Staff to Use the Internet," was timely and useful to librarians puzzled as to how to train others in using this colossal tool. The two-day program covered Internet training issues, models, methods, skills, tools, and resources. For more information about specifics of the program, please contact Jane Pearlmutter at SLIS, 600 N. Park St., Madison, WI 54706; phone 608-262-6398; or jpearl@macc.wisc.edu.

The Wisconsin Library Association, with its many divisions and sections, is always a supporter of library instruction. This past spring, when the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians held their annual meeting, innovative library instruction techniques were highlighted by Cris Prucha and Karin Sandvik, who demonstrated a method used at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse which stresses the importance of active learning in library instruction. The format Cris and Karin use works well in their library and they generously allowed us to reprint for the LIRT News the process they use for instruction (see Instruction in The Academic Library article).

Another section of WLA which has been active in addressing library instruction is the Documents Services Section. This past May they held their annual "Documents Day" for all depository librarians in the state. The theme for the morning section of the meeting was, "Training End Users.". This session focused on the best techniques to train end users in the use of the Internet, government issued CD-ROMs, and other electronic resources received by depository libraries. Four separate presentations examined how to approach training individuals, training small groups of people, training large groups, and how to develop user guides to accompany training efforts. For more information about specifics presented at the program, please contact Loraine Adkins, State Historical Society Library, Documents Section, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706; phone 606-264-6525; or loraine.adkins@mail.admin.wisc.edu.

The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Golda Meir Library experienced a technological leap forward early this year when their new "Hands-on Instruction Lab" opened its doors. Located in the library, the lab includes 12 complete workstations, (with one also equipped with an "air mouse"!), which can access 33 of the library databases, as well as the Internet. The new lab provides the librarians a better opportunity to address the training needs of their users. For more information about the lab or the instruction programs offered, please contact Alberto Herrera, Head of Reference, UW-Milwaukee, P.O. Box 604, Milwaukee, WI 53202; phone 414-229-3925; aherrera@gml.lib.uwm.edu.