Presentation Tools in Libraries

                                           Image from PCMag


One of the main concepts I’ve learned as a student in the LIT program at Palomar College is the importance of information literacy.  According to the ALA, information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” It is a necessary skill to cultivate as a librarian and it is becoming clearer and clearer how important it is for people entering the job market as well as for those hoping to advance in their careers. In their benchmark study, Information Literacy and Office Tool Competencies: A Benchmark Study,  John Heinrichs and Jeen-Su Lim list proficiency with presentation tools as an important component of information literacy and a necessary skill in the current knowledge-based economy, particularly for the library or information professionals.  Employers want employees who are knowledgeable in information technology.
     Libraries and librarians as information professionals should be at the forefront of this technology.  Academic and school libraries such as the Luise V. Hanson Library at Waldorf College found Prezi was perfectly suited to demonstrate "concept mapping" to their student population and found it particularly useful when creating a presentation that walks students through the decision-making process entitled  "When Should I Cite?" (Kiscaden)
     As libraries continue to change and evolve into community centers and offer programs geared toward their users needs it would seem that presentation tools should begin to take a front seat in library programming.  Wouldn't it be great to have an area where people could come and create and learn? 

Interested in the latest and greatest presentation tools out there?   Click here to read about 20 of them: 20 Tools for Creating and Delivering Amazing Presentations 

Listen to a Librarian run down her favorite presentation tools and why!

Works Cited

ALA. “Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.” Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, American Library Association, 20 July 2007, www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=Home&template=%2FContentManagement%2FContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=33553.

Heinrichs, John H. and Lim Jeen-Su. "Information Literacy and Office Tool Competencies: A Benchmark Study." Journal of Education for Business, vol. 85, no. 3, Jan/Feb2010, pp. 153-164. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/08832320903252371.

Kiscaden, Elizabeth. "Promoting Information Literacy with Prezi." Computers in Libraries, vol. 34, no. 2, Mar. 2014, pp. 4-7. EBSCOhost, login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=95005737&site=ehost-live&scope=site.