Using Government Publications in Information Competence Sessions

1
Using Government Publications in Information
Competence Sessions

• Susan Kendall and Pamela Jackson
• San José State University

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Problems and Challenges

• Unlike typical college subject areas, such as
  Business or Nursing, Government Publications are
  not associated with or tied to an academic
  department. Government Publications are not
  taught as discipline so there is no obvious
  faculty base.
• Other library colleagues are not aware of or
  confident in using Government Publications.
• Government Publication resources are difficult to
  find and often complex to use.

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Meeting the Challenge Government
Publications in Library Instruction Sessions
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Metropolitan University Scholars Experience
(MUSE) Freshman Seminar Program

• In this program, students select from a variety
  of specialized courses designed to help them
  transition to college life. Library instruction
  in these seminars introduces students to research
  at SJSU and starts them on their paths to
  lifelong learning and success.
• In a MUSE seminar on Hotel Administration,
  students were asked to research travel and
  tourism for a country of their choice. Librarians
  designed an instruction session and assignment
  that emphasized active learning. This hands-on
  information competence session incorporated
  government publications.

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Click here to view the M.U.S.E. assignment.
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Government Publications Used

• U.S. Department of State website was compared
  to commercial database, Country Watch.
• http//www.state.gov/

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Gerontology Social and Public Policy Course

• Social Work 250, Policy Practice in Aging, gives
  a critical analysis of the impact of policies on
  the elderly and their families. The course
  includes and assessment of organizations and
  policy implementation.
• Students were given a librarian-lead lecture on
  government publications and their role in social
  and public policy. Search engines for government
  publications were discussed. Students were asked
  to evaluate and compare Googles UncleSam and
  FirstGov.

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Click here to view the social work assignment.
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Government Publications Used

• State and Federal Websites such as
• Department of Justice
• U.S. Supreme Court
• Social Security Administration
• Thomas
• FirstGov (compared to Google UncleSam)

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Why Use Government Publications

• Meets the evaluation goals of information
  competence
• Primary sources
• Current
• Reliable
• In-depth
• Usually Free

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Tap into the Government Grapevine in Your
Instruction Session
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Government Publications Will Add Value to Your
Information Competence Sessions
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Thank Yoususan.kendall_at_sjsu.edu
pamela.jackson_at_sjsu.edu