The ORC Supporting the Library Learning Commons

1. The ORC Supporting the Library Learning Commons Calgary Catholic School District January 21, 2014

2. Agenda • Why these resources? • ORC resource evaluation and selection • What is the ORC Support Site? • Help for using the ORC in the schools setting • Can ORC Resources be embedded into other programs? • Destiny One Search • CORE • What support is available? • ORC Sessions around the province

3. Resource Evaluation and Selection 1. ORC Coordinator reviews resource looking for: • Quality of content • Alberta curriculum alignment • Canadian content and perspective • Writer bias • Aesthetic appeal and ease of use • Research indicates students are often click driven in searching • Students often lack advanced searching skills • Higher expectations for functionality

4. Resource Evaluation and Selection In addition to the ORC Coordinator will evaluate: • Features that support diverse students and parents, etc. • Listen, text translation, onscreen font size adjustment, downloads to MP3 • Publishers ability to meet technical requirements • Can the resource be accessed through IP authentication? • Is the publisher capable of moving to a geo-location authentication process? • Destiny One Search integration capabilities • Openness to customizing the resource for our needs

5. Resource Evaluation and Selection 2. Province-Wide Resource Trials • Resources trialed from mid-October to Mid-December • Fall ideal time as it provides an long period of uninterrupted instruction • This year the trials have extended into the new year • Resources have been made available on the ORC webpage for easier access • ORC users are able to complete an evaluation of the resources to provide both positive and construction feedback • ORC users can also provide suggestions for trial resources to the ORC Coordinator

6. Resource Evaluation and Selection What Next? • Based on ORC user evaluations a prioritized resource “wish list” is created with the following considerations: • Uniqueness of the resource to the ORC collection • Grade range the resource supports • Content replacement from resources being removed from collection • Grant-In-Aid Amount • ORC resource contracts usually are for a 3 year term based on the continuation of funds • Are there funds remaining once all of the contract commitments are made? • Do any contracts need to be renegotiated based on poor usage or high cost per use?

7. ORC Support Site www.onlinereferencecentre.ca • The ORC Support Site replaced the ORC Wiki in January 2013. It offers: • Online booking system for free ORC PD • RSVP capabilities for free ORC events • Listserv sign up page • Online training materials for ORC resources and recent ORC presentations • ORC promotional materials like posters, digital signage and web badge • Tips for using the ORC in the Library Learning Commons • Contact the ORC Coordinator to request help or additional content to be added to the support site

8. The ORC and Destiny One Search Why is this important to pursue? • Once the ORC databases are embedded it allows for federated searching within One Search • Increases ease of use and access to ORC users • Library no longer just a warehouse for books – it becomes a place to find out more The Process • Pilot with select schools/districts around Alberta • Have had varied success – still working out the bugs • Still working with some publishers to provide username and passwords for Destiny One Search access • Hope to roll out to all Destiny schools in Fall 2015

9. The ORC and CORE Positives: • Increased exposure to ORC resources • Increased exposure to vetted and/or authoritative resources • Resources located in one spot • Can search for a specific database by title Challenges: • No federated search at this point • Need to specifically go into online databases tab • Listing of all of the databases in district, not just ORC • Online databases listed in order of last update • Descriptions are included, however no grade ranges

10. ORC Sessions Around the Province • ORC sessions are provided for free throughout the province to: • School library staff, teaching staff and district staff • Regional and public library staff • Post-secondary institutions with a faculty of education • Who bears the cost? • At present the ORC budget covers the cost of PD – travel, accommodation, food, etc. • How do I book? • Email jdavis@thealbertalibrary.ab.ca • Go to the ORC Support Site at: http://www.onlinereferencecentre.ca/schedule-an-orc-session.html • Phone 780-414-0805 ext:229

11. Upcoming ORC Sessions Teachers’ Conventions • NCTC February 7 (Edmonton) • CCTC February 14 (Calgary) • SWATC February 20 (Lethbridge) • Palliser District TC February 21 (Calgary) • GETCA February 27 (Edmonton) • CEATC March 6 (Edmonton) • Treaty 8 March 11(Edmonton) Other ORC Sessions • Webber Academy January 27-28 (Calgary) • New Norway School January 30 (New Norway) • Airdrie Public Library February 18 (Airdrie) • EIPS District PD Day March 7 Sherwood Park • EIPS Parent Council March 12 (Sherwood Park) • CARC Library Conference April 10 (Red Deer) • AALT ? May 22 Edmonton

12. Contact the ORC Coordinator jdavis@thalbertalibrary.ab.ca www.onlinereferencecentre.ca 780-414-0805 ext: 229