Ohio Reference
Excellence
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Supervisor Tips
What you need to know to use ORE on the Web for effective training at your library.
Page Contents
 Supervisor Information - How to Use Modules
Target Audience
Goals
and Objectives of Instructional Design
Certificate of Achievement and Evaluation
Credits, Copyright, and Permissions
Contributors of Photos, Links, and Stories
Suggestions for Supervisors
1. Get an overview of the material before assigning any modules.
- Look at the goals of ORE on the Web.
- Read Purpose and Instructions
pages to familiarize yourself with the purpose of the modules and how your trainees will
be using them.
- Look at the Site Index to see a "map" of the site.
- Look at the six introduction pages for a brief overview of each module.
     
- Read module Review pages for a summary of each module, then decide if your trainee needs
to complete all modules. Needs won't be the same for all trainees.
- You can also determine if you want to coordinate the module material with other training
or supplement it with information specific to your library.
- Read Answer Key pages to see what exercises have been assigned and what your involvement
is in the exercises. The exercises frequently ask the trainee to work with the supervisor
to find how the activity relates specifically to your library.
2. Consider the trainee's learning style.
- Does that person learn things quickly and absorb a lot of new material in a short time
or does the person need to learn a little bit at a time to thoroughly grasp new ideas?
- Does the trainee work best alone or should a co-worker be assigned to answer questions
and provide support?
- Does the trainee have enough experience to work through the module to the end or will it
be best to have the trainee check with you at intervals that you determine when you read
through the exercises?
- If you are unfamiliar with the trainee's learning style, suggest that they do the first
module without a specific time limit to find out what pace will work the best for them.
3. Consider specific training needs and how you would like to use the modules.
- How many? Do you want your trainee to do one, two, or all of the modules? This depends
on your knowledge of the trainee's skills, your expectations and needs, and the time
available.
- Over what period of time? Very new employees may take longer or have more questions
about basic library procedures. Each module can be scanned and read in an hour, but to
visit the links, do the exercises, and absorb the material will take much longer. It will
be a better training experience if the trainee isn't expected to cover the material of one
module at one sitting. Completing all the modules may work better if done one per week, or
every other week for modules where exercises involve examining the reference collection.
- In what order? All six modules work well in sequence, but you might have a special need
for assigning them in a different order. Example: start with the ethics module for a
trainee working with the public who has no background in public services. Module 1 is an
overview helpful for someone with no experience in reference work. Experienced trainees
could do Modules 2 and Module 3 alone for the reference process and behaviors or do Module
4 and Module 5 alone for strategies and essential reference resources.
- At what level or learning track? Someone who already has experience with reference
service may just need a refresher and would not benefit from the exercises. You might ask
that trainee to scan the contents of the necessary modules and discuss with you the review
and quiz sections only.
4. Participate in the training.
- Your trainee is requested to ask you throughout the modules and exercises how the
presented concepts work specifically in your library.
- At the end of each module, the trainee will complete a quiz to give you along with the
completed module exercises. There are no answer sheets for the quizzes. Answers can be
found in the modules and in the trainee's exercise answers, except for questions with
answers that are specific to your library. It is recommended that you allow the trainees
to treat the quizzes as "open book" tests for immediate feedback and
reinforcement. Some quizzes ask trainee to use the catalog or the collection.
- Discussing the quizzes with the trainee is your way to assess whether or not the trainee
is ready to go on to another module or needs to review.
- The final quiz covers the most important concepts of all the
modules in addition to the topic of Module 6 (ethics) and asks that the trainee complete a
project -- a pathfinder. You might want to specify a topic for the project that would be
helpful in your library.
- Upon completion of each module, a Certificate of Achievement
can be printed for the trainee.
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Goals and Objectives for the Instructional Design of ORE on the
Web
The goal of ORE is to improve the quality of reference service
in Ohio. Objectives to meet that goal include demonstrating knowledge of the following
concepts through exercises, quizzes, and behaviors applied on the job:
- Reference Service
Provide a valuable service to the community and meet patrons' real, if unexpressed,
information needs.
- Reference Process
Follow a four-step process including outreach, determining real information needs with a
skilled reference interview, filling needs successfully with appropriate strategies and
resources, and follow-up to verify that needs are met.
- Reference Interview
Use the reference interview, the heart of the reference process, applying appropriate
questioning techniques of paraphrasing, open questions, clarifying, verifying, and
follow-up to assess real information needs.
- Working with People
Use appropriate and effective actions and behaviors in addition to the questioning
techniques of the reference interview, specifically the Model Reference Behaviors, and
apply learned skills for working with special groups of people.
- Strategies and Resources
Choose effective strategies and appropriate resources from all available resources in the
library, in other libraries, or online, and apply reference tool examining skills to
evaluate resources.
- Professional ethics
Perform work with consideration for professional ethics and the rights of patrons.
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Certificate of Achievement and Evaluations
At the end of each module, the trainee is asked to do the
following:
- Submit the quiz and exercises to you for your evaluation.
- Print a certificate when you have approved the work.
- Submit or mail a copy of the module evaluation form
to OLC.
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Credits, Copyright, and Permissions
ORE on the Web was adapted for the Web in 2000, revised annually 2001-2007, links updated 2008. Project consulting, web adaptation, content authoring, annual revision, instructional and web design by Deana Noack Web Design and edited by Jennyann Noack, 2000-2008.
Materials listed on the Print Choices page may be printed. Contact OLC for permission to make any changes in printed or downloaded pages. PHOTOS and reference stories for the ORE site were provided by the respective credited libraries unless otherwise indicated. Photos of library staff not specifically credited were provided by London Public Library. All rights remain with the libraries. Other images, graphics, and graphic design copyright by web designer, Deana Noack.
ORE on the Web was created for web-based staff training in Ohio libraries. Ohio Reference Excellence on the Web was based on the ORE Manual, 2nd Edition, A Self-study Reference Course, developed by the Ohio Library Council's Reference and Information Services Division ORE Task Force. The ORE Manual was an adaptation of MORE: Minnesota
Opportunities for Reference Excellence and CORE: California Opportunities for Reference
Excellence. The Manual was used for two years as the basis for ORE workshops around Ohio. ORE on the Web was commissioned by OLC with support from the State Library of Ohio.
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Contributors of Photos, Links, and Stories
Thanks to all libraries who responded to the request for
photos, stories, and questions! Your help was greatly appreciated. Contributing libraries were London Public Library, Wright Memorial Public Library, McKinley Memorial
Library, Kinsman Free Public Library, Ritter Public Library, Warren-Trumbull County Public
Library, Logan County District Library, Miami Township Branch Library of the Dayton &
Montgomery County Public Library, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Putnam
County District Library, Wickliffe Public Library, Gallia County District Library, Preble
County District Library, Bowerston Public Library, Twinsburg Public Library, and Avon
Public Library. Some photos were taken especially for the project by Wright Memorial
Library and London Public Library. Photos or questions not credited to a specific library
are from London Public Library.
Many photos link to a larger version by clicking. If no
caption appears with the photo, the library name is usually given as alternative text in
pop-up windows that appear when the mouse hovers over the image.
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ORE on the Web. Ohio Library Council. Copyright and credits.
Links updated June 2008.
Who Needs It? Target Audience
Recommended learning tracks, suggestions to make to your trainees:
Complete novice at reference work.
Work through each module, read text, and look at photos that
are there to help you remember the main points. Follow the web links for additional
information and read stories from other libraries for an understanding of reference work
in all libraries. Do all exercises, test yourself at the end, and review results with your
supervisor.
Not-so-new but would like a review.
Choose the modules that you need for review. Module 1
is for novices, but includes new material for virtual reference that may be new to you. Modules 2 and 3 cover the people part of reference work. Modules 4 and 5
are about sources and strategies. Module 6 introduces professional ethics. The
Introduction and Review pages in each module can help you decide. Scan the text, enjoy the
photos, and visit any web links that are new to you. Read the stories for an interesting
view of others' experiences!
Know it all
but must train those who don't!
Scan the Introduction and Review pages for each of the modules
to determine which modules will be most helpful. Look at the exercises and quizzes to get
a clear understanding of what trainees will be doing and how you can help. Many exercises
ask trainees to talk to other staff, and supervisors might want to prepare them! Definitely review
the information on this page for insights into supervisor involvement
and instructional goals.
Just want to
see photos!
Enjoy yourself! Some photos link to larger images. Thanks to all contributors.
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