Contributed Paper Abstract
Disseminating Library Instruction to the Desktop via the Web
Sue H. Felber, Coordinator, Medical Library; Matthew Clark, Project Lead, Moffitt Cancer Network (MCN); and Diego Pelaez, Videographer; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa FL.
Purpose: This paper describes a method for disseminating traditional library instruction via the web, thereby expanding the educational reach of the library.
Setting/Participants/Resources: The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute is the only National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center located in the state of Florida. The Moffitt Cancer Network (MCN)(http://network.moffitt.usf.edu)is a web-based educational resource for physicians/oncology professionals involved in cancer care and prevention. It provides targeted, cutting edge, multimedia education via streaming video and interactive tools. MCN delivers live and on-demand presentations by key researchers and scientists.
Brief Description: One of the main services of the Medical Library is to provide end-user instruction on a variety of educational topics, including techniques for searching the databases of PubMed and CINAHL, finding evidence-based medical literature, and exploring bibliographic management software. Traditional hands-on classes are held regularly, but a need existed to deliver library instruction in a convenient manner, independent of time and distance.
Building on the existing resources of the Moffitt Cancer Network, library instruction was adapted for presentation on MCN. The first class on PubMed was developed in February 2002 from a traditional class outline, using PowerPoint and Microsoft Paint. The expanded presentation is captured live using a wall-mounted camera on a pan/tilt/zoom head. The capture process involves sending a video and audio signal to a computer with a video/audio capture card that converts the signal to a multimedia file, in this case a MS Windows .asf file.
Results/Outcome: This ongoing project has been publicized through various internal communication channels, and statistics are being compiled to assess the value of this approach. More topics are being added at regular intervals.
Evaluation Method: Web Trends statistics program is being used to track visits to the page. An email link, general knowledge questions and useful URLs will be added in the future.
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