Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - VCUQ, Doha - Gallery news: VCUQatar Participates in Professional Development Program

VCUQatar Participates in Professional Development Program (3.6.2009)

VCUQatar Library's Head of User Services Presents at Professional Development Workshop for Librarians

Doha, Qatar - The Supreme Education Council organized a day-long professional development workshop for Independent School librarians in collaboration with librarians from Education City on 27 May, 2009. Librarians from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Georgetown University, Northwestern University and Carnegie Mellon University Qatar ran the workshop entitled, 'How to use an OPAC, Boolean and Internet searching strategies, and how to harness the benefits of the "Virtual Library"'.

Around 115 librarians from the Independent Schools (K through 12) attended the workshop which was held at Georgetown University. The objective of the workshop was threefold - to develop knowledge and understanding of how to establish and use a 'virtual library'; to develop knowledge and understanding of how to use an OPAC effectively and to develop knowledge and understanding of effective and efficient internet and Boolean searching strategies. Emily Wilson, the Program Coordinator, Educational Enrichment for Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar organized the event.

Nancy Fawley, Head of User Services at the VCUQatar library developed and conducted a presentation on Internet search strategies and website evaluation, a collaborative effort with Education City colleagues Nikki Krysak, Public Services Librarian from Northwestern University and CMUQ Library Director Bijan Esfahani. The sessions taught the librarians how to evaluate web resources, search the net and use the advanced search features of Google. The workshop also covered "Google-alternatives," different search engines that search the Internet as well, many times with completely different results. The session finished with an in-class assignment to evaluate the Wikipedia article on Qatar.

Ms Fawley believes it is important for librarians to know how to navigate the immense amount of information available on the web, for their personal and work-related information-seeking as well as the work they do with the students. "It's important that they know how to evaluate the information they're coming across," she added.

"The Education Institute of the Supreme Education Council is strongly committed to providing professional development to the staff members in Independent Schools," said Martine Raphael from the SEC. Over the last four months, librarians from these schools have had the opportunity to attend a monthly Professional Development program covering all aspects of setting up, managing and running a library. The workshops are very well-attended with approximately 100 regular participants, highlighting the keen interest and commitment of Qatar's Independent school librarians and support staff.

"The SEC is very grateful to the librarians from Georgetown, VCUQatar, Carnegie Mellon and Northwestern University who so willingly offered their time and expertise in the delivery of this month's workshop, which focused on internet searching strategies, website evaluation techniques and how to create a virtual library. With such support and so many keen librarians wanting to improve their knowledge and practice, the future bodes well for librarianship in Qatar," said Ms Raphael.

Ms Fawley agrees this sort of outreach is very important. "We want students graduating from these schools to have the skills needed to study at the universities in Education City and assisting in the professional development of the librarians in the Independent Schools is an important of that," she concluded.

About Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar:
Established in the US in 1838 and in Qatar in 1998 Virginia Commonwealth University offers students from all over the world the opportunity to earn Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in fashion, graphic and interior design. A team of highly skilled professors provide rigorous curricula that prepare students to assume leadership roles in the professional design field of their choice. VCUQatar regularly organizes and hosts exhibitions, gallery events, world-class conferences and holds an annual fashion show. VCUQatar is supported and funded by the Qatar Foundation. For more information please visit www.qatar.vcu.edu or call +974 492 7245.

About Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation is a private, non-profit organization committed to the principle that a nation's greatest natural resource is its people. The headquarters of Qatar Foundation are located within its flagship project, Education City, a fourteen million square-meter campus which hosts numerous progressive learning institutions and centers of research, including branch campuses of six of the world's leading universities, plus a cutting-edge research and development center. Qatar Foundation also works to enhance the quality of life in Qatar by investing in community health and development.
For more information please visit: www.qf.org.qa

VCUQatar Library's Head of User Services Presents at Professional Development Workshop for Librarians Press Release as pdf-File

VCUQatar Library's Head of User Services Presents at Professional Development Workshop for Librarians Press Release as pdf-File in Arabic language

Images:
Nancy Fawley conducting the session at the Professional development workshop

Nancy Fawley conducting the session at the Professional development workshop