Learning Electronic Reference Resources: A Team-Learning Project for Reference Staff

Abstract

This article describes how a large academic library addressed the problem of supporting the extensive learning of electronic information resources required by reference and library instruction staff. Library staff participants were organized into teams called Electronic Reference Resource Groups (ERRGs). Individuals within each team shared responsibility for the topics to be covered and for ensuring that everyone participated in both the teaching and learning processes. The ultimate measure of success was whether individuals, who took part voluntarily, found the teams sufficiently beneficial to warrant further participation in the team-learning process. A further stage, an ERRG Learn-in, was later implemented to extend learning opportunities to all library staff.