AbstractUsing Online Animation for GIS Instruction in an Academic Library Track: Using GIS in Libraries & Museums Author(s): Amanda Henley The work of a GIS librarian is never done. Our duties include collection development, organizing and cataloging spatial data, and helping patrons discover and format data as well as providing instruction. Personal consultations are often the only way to provide first-rate assistance, especially when working with patrons who are new to GIS. Unfortunately, training one patron at a time is not very efficient for the librarian and is becoming less feasible as GIS continues to gain popularity among a variety of disciplines. This presentation outlines one approach that allows GIS librarians to train many patrons simultaneously, even after-hours. By creating animated clips that answer frequently asked questions, librarians can transform the library Web site into a virtual instructor. This instructional technique empowers patrons, providing them with the means to learn GIS on their own. Meanwhile, librarians save time and still provide excellent service. Amanda Henley University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill University Library Davis Library, CB# 3922 Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890 US Phone: 919-962-1151 E-mail: ahenley@email.unc.edu |