Transcript Busy Bees: Training Non-Music Librarians to do Music Reference

Ramona Islam
Reed Lowrie
Harvard College Library
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Round of retirements in 2009
Increased reliance on graduate students and
reference assistants
Another round of retirements in 2012/2013
Four new, relatively inexperienced librarians
join staff in 2013
Insanely complicated library system
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Adults learn best when their prior learning
experiences are brought to bear on activities
that engage them in meaning making and
knowledge construction (Merriam, 2008).
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A learning method adapted from the
traditional apprenticeship model offered the
most promise.
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The Communities of Practice learning model
(Wenger, 1998) is characterized by:
 A common domain of interest: Reference
 Learning together
 Development of a shared practice
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This model engenders:
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Autonomy
Practitioner orientation
Informality
Crossing boundaries
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Learning together should incorporate:
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Connections to previous experience
Critical reflection and dialogue
Space for storytelling and metanarrative
Emergence of tacit and dynamic elements
Development of a shared practice involves:
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Joint problem solving
Seeking experience through referrals
Identification of knowledge gaps
Building of a knowledge base
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Subject area and specialist(s) identified
Questions solicited
Guest librarian submits questions to newbees one week prior to event
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I hope this email finds you well! By way of
introduction, my name is Ultimate
Undergraduate, and I'm currently a junior in
History and Literature. I've tentatively decided
to write a thesis on freedom songs (specifically
using "We Shall Overcome" as a jumping off
point) in the Civil Rights Movement, and as I am
beginning to work on thesis grants, I was just
wondering if I might be able to solicit your
advice how to effectively locate archives and
research avenues, both here at Harvard and in
other cities, such as Washington, D.C?
Looking for sheet music for a piece called (I believe) "Jeanette's Garden."
This was sung by our chorus in the mid-1960s. I don't know the composer.
The lyrics we sang were:
"Daffodils upon the hills are swaying in the breeze While overhead, the branches
spread their tender leafy canopies.
The stately hollyhocks and purple stock (?) in shy majesty Surround the lawn, where
newly born, the daisies smile and curtsy."
Here is the piano version as played by the lady in the red dress in this clip from a
daytime program. Maybe someone will recognize it.
http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_young_and_the_restless/video/3wF_ox_HSBdJLjlH
6C1INctzoQ_tam6F/the-young-and-the-restless-finally-a-home/
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New-bees and elders gather at round table.
A question is selected.
Trainees explain and demonstrate the
research process they employed.
Guest expert(s) build on what has been
shared, revealing tried and true approaches.
This process repeats for each question.
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We created a record of the bees, to be used
for further training:
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http://guides.hcl.harvard.edu/referencebee
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Formative assessment–focus group feedback:
 Most valuable aspects:
▪ Learning from experts
▪ Modeling of a structured approach to research in different
domains
▪ Pressure free time to practice skills
 Suggestions for improvement:
▪ Distribute more evenly who “drives” the computer during
demonstrations.
▪ Supply more conceptual meta-narrative.
▪ More discussion of teaching research skills beyond the reference
desk.
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We asked the new-bees what they’d like to
see featured at future bees:
 Data & Statistics
 English Lit
 Newspapers
 Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations
 Film
 General Science
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Critical need for more gov docs knowledge
among reference staff
Schedule another bee, facilitated by gov docs
librarians, invite broader audience of new and
old bees
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We have time for questions or comments