The Library Internet Trainer’s Toolkit

Citation

Wijetunge, P. (2002), "The Library Internet Trainer’s Toolkit", Online Information Review, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 223-224. https://doi.org/10.1108/oir.2002.26.3.223.6

The Toolkit consists of 12 ready‐to‐run training programmes. These include:

1. (1)

   “Introducing the personal computer”;

2. (2)

   “Navigating the Internet and the World Wide Web”;

3. (3)

   “Searching the WWW”;

4. (4)

   “Evaluating Web sites”;

5. (5)

   “Using e‐mail and WWW e‐mail services”;

6. (6)

   “Shopping the WWW”;

7. (7)

   “Planning and maintaining a Web site for small business organisations or personal use”;

8. (8)

   “Exploring Internet audio and video”;

9. (9)

   “Chatting on the Internet”;

10. (10)

    “Surfing safe – children and their parents on the WWW”;

11. (11)

    “Selling and saving – exploring WWW auctions”; and

12. (12)

    “Picturing the digital camera revolution”.

The printed book provides a guide on how to use the Toolkit and the 12 modules which follow, and also provide guides to the contents of each module, together with instructions for the trainer on running the workshops. The CD/ROM contains 12 directories, and each of these contains slides for the topic, ready‐to‐be‐printed‐and‐photocopied handouts for the workshop, fliers to promote the workshop and the script (how‐to‐do‐it instructions) for the workshop. The presentations are made with Microsoft PowerPoint 2000, and these are compatible with Macintosh and Windows systems going back to PowerPoint 97. The script is given in Microsoft Word format, as well as in a text file, so that it can be used with any other word processor. The CD/ROM also contains all the images used in the presentations and the movies for optional use in two of the modules.

Stephens has done all the hard work in putting together the workshops, making the life of the librarian easy. Each presentation contains 25 to 50 slides and as they are, the presentation could run 60 to 75 minutes. But the presentations are very flexible: several of them can be combined to make a one‐day workshop or a single module can be used as the introduction to a lengthy hands‐on session. All of the presentations can be personalised to suit individual libraries. The author provides instructions on how to update the URLs when the Web addresses change. Adding new screenshots and updating the technical information included in the presentations are clearly explained, so that the presentations stay current. The author even provides a couple of listserv addresses for the users seeking the most current technical information.

The nature of the presentations is such that they can be used without a live connection to the Internet, which is a useful feature for the libraries in developing countries where there are difficulties in establishing reliable Internet connections. The Librarians can plan and conduct the workshops without worrying about connection failures or escalating telecom charges. The users can be encouraged to practise in their own time using the handouts.

This Toolkit is an excellent instrument, which no public librarian should miss. Other types of librarians can also use most of the modules effectively. It can also be recommended for library science teachers to introduce the Internet at a beginning level. However, it should be remembered that, to make the best use of the Toolkit, Stephens’ endeavour has to be complemented by the presenter’s Internet and general IT skills.