Presented at Reference at the Metcalfe 7 May 2013

1. Database Training for HSC
School classes
Wollongong City Libraries
2013

2. Summary
• Wollongong City Libraries promotion & training of
Database resources to local HSC school classes,
delivered in school computer rooms & classrooms.
March/April 2013
• (5 schools/13 sessions/158 students)
• Program previously run 2011-12
delivered in central library public meeting room & Family
Friendly computer room.
(2 schools/4 sessions/30 students)

3. Aim
• The program aimed at promoting database use to local
school students who do not have access to databases
through their local school libraries.

4. Program design
• Based on previous successful 2011/12 program
• Changed in 2013 to include delivery in the schools
• Benefits:
- Make use of school computer labs & internet
- Classes don’t need to travel to library
- School staff available to assist
- Familiar surrounds for students

5. Promotion
• Letters addressed to secondary school Teacher
Librarians throughout the LGA
• Contact person at each Branch
• Option to either bring classes to the libraries (8 students
max) or have us visit them

6. Letter to schools
Dear Teacher Librarian
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – DATABASE PROGRAM
Wollongong City Library would like to invite students from your current Year 12 to attend
a database demonstration and hands on workshop. The dates for these workshops
will be in March 2013.
Groups of students can learn how to effectively use Library databases. They will view a
30 minute PowerPoint presentation on search strategies and have a further 60
minutes to research their topics using computers. This program aims at promoting
databases to local students who do not have access to these databases through their
school library. The program will also outline other points of access and resources for
HSC students.
The subject areas covered effectively by Wollongong City Library databases are English,
PDHPE, Society and Culture, Art, Science, History and Geography. Databases are
excellent sources of information for PIPs. Teachers will need to forward student’s
assignment topics to a Library contact person at least one week prior to their visit to
allow adequate preparation. We will need to use a data projector and students will
need computers with Internet access if we are visiting the school to run these
sessions.
[Etc]

7. Q1. School? Number Q2. Year? Q3. Class? Q4. Gender Q5. Trainer/s
Woonona High 10 12 Society & Culture 10 Female
Shareyne
Janelle
Smiths Hill High 7 12 Extension History 5 Female 2 Male Janelle Andrew
Smiths Hill High 11 11 Geography 7 Female 3 Male Janelle Andrew
Wollongong High 12 12 Society & Culture 9 Female 3 Male Janelle Clara
Wollongong High 15 11 Legal Studies 11 Female 4 Male Janelle Clara
Wollongong High 13 11 Society & Culture 12 Female 1 Male Janelle Clara
Wollongong High 11 11 Geography 6 Female 5 Male Andrew Janelle
Wollongong High 12 11
Advanced
English 6 Female 6 Male Janelle Clara
Corrimal High 14 11 Ancient History 10 Female 4 Male Janelle
Smiths Hill High 19 11 Modern History 10 Female 9 Male Janelle Andrew
Corpus Christi High 13 12 Society & Culture 7 Female 6 Male Julie Janelle
Corpus Christi High 12 12 Extension English 7 Female 5 Male Julie Janelle
Smiths Hill High 9 12 Society & Culture 8 Female 1 Male Andrew Clara
Totals 5 158 13 102 56

8. Session Structure
• 5 Library staff, working in pairs at each session.
• Previous contact with teacher to get list of student research topics –
be prepared
• Standard Training Plan, customised for different classes (eg
Geography, History, English, Society & Culture)
• PowerPoint presentation - 30 mins - basic demo, how-to intro with
screendumps
• Live search examples – demo example topics
• Student research time - 60 mins – trainers available to assist

9. HSC Database and Online Resources Lesson Plan
Lesson plan for: Database Training Program
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the session the participants will be able to:
1. Know what a Database is and the benefits of searching one.
2. Know how to identify keywords in a topic.
3. Understand how Boolean operators work.
4. Know how to access other Online resources from the Library Website
5. Have relevant academic articles on their specific topics to take away.
Materials/Resources: Trainer: Database PPT presentation, PCs with
Internet access, Data Projector, Copies of training notes
Student Handouts: Database Information sheet, Keyword Search Sheet,
PPT handout, Evaluation sheets.
Lesson Planning

10. Evaluation
• Session feedback form given to each student (158
responses)
• 157 positive comments!
• 155 indicated they would use the databases in the future

11. How would you rate the overall
course? (158 responses)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Excellent Above
Average
Average Below
Average
Poor
Students

12. 1. Relevance, time saving, academic
2. Databases - introduction to them -
very helpful with research
3. The one on one contact
4. Help with my PIP topic - given
advice on how to search and what to
search
5. Learning how to use the databases
and find information on my specific
topic
6. Accessing the online databases
7. Helped one on one with research
8. How to find relevant information
and how we learnt how to properly
use searching
9. The information provided
10. Clear instructions, very helpful
11. Useful to actually know and USE new
databases
12. Finding out about databases
available at Wollongong Library
13. It was very clear and provided me
with excellent results
14. Learned how to use Databases
15. Useful, gave alternative options,
broadened research skills
16. Truncation, searching tips, key words
17. Wide range of resources that will be
useful for a wide range of subjects
18. Introducing us to programs and
teaching us how to use them
19. Helped understand how I could get
great resources
20. So much information - useful for
researching in future
21. Telling us how to search and helping
What did you like most about the course?
(158 comments total)

13. Database InformationDatabase Information
Helpful tips, useful databases andHelpful tips, useful databases and
how to access them.how to access them.

14. What is a database?What is a database?
 Databases are indexes of journal,Databases are indexes of journal,
magazine and newspaper articles.magazine and newspaper articles.
 They are excellent sources of recentThey are excellent sources of recent
information.information.
 Many are full text.Many are full text.
 They tell you in what issue an article onThey tell you in what issue an article on
your topic appears in.your topic appears in.

15. How do I access databases?How do I access databases?
 Free at home access is available from theFree at home access is available from the
Wollongong Library web page using yourWollongong Library web page using your
Library card.Library card.
www.wollongong.nsw.gov.auwww.wollongong.nsw.gov.au
 Free at home access from the StateFree at home access from the State
Library using your State Library card.Library using your State Library card.
www.sl.nsw.gov.auwww.sl.nsw.gov.au

16. Search TermsSearch Terms
Search TermSearch Term Alternative Search TermAlternative Search Term
HealthHealth MedicalMedical
SmokingSmoking Drugs, TobaccoDrugs, Tobacco
AboriginalAboriginal IndigenousIndigenous
YouthYouth Teenagers, Young Adults,Teenagers, Young Adults,
AdolescentAdolescent
Explain and discuss the health issues of smoking for Aboriginal youth.

17. Boolean OperatorsBoolean Operators
ANDAND Operator – All terms are present, theOperator – All terms are present, the
best way tobest way to narrow downnarrow down your searchyour search
Documents that talk about both cats and dogs

18. Where do I start?Where do I start?
 ABI/Inform, ANZ Newstand (ProquestABI/Inform, ANZ Newstand (Proquest) –) –
International coverage, large databaseInternational coverage, large database
 APAFTAPAFT – Full text, Australian– Full text, Australian
 ANZ Reference CentreANZ Reference Centre – Full text,– Full text,
Australian books, journal and newspaperAustralian books, journal and newspaper
articlesarticles
 Academic Search EliteAcademic Search Elite –– Full text,Full text,
International, large databaseInternational, large database

19. APAFT SearchAPAFT Search
Australian Public Affairs Full TextAustralian Public Affairs Full Text

20. APAFT Search ResultsAPAFT Search Results

21. APAFT Full Text ArticleAPAFT Full Text Article

22. ANZ Reference Centre ResultsANZ Reference Centre Results

23. Database Searching HintsDatabase Searching Hints
 International Databases remember to addInternational Databases remember to add
AustraliaAustralia as a search term for Australianas a search term for Australian
topicstopics
 PutPut OROR searches in brackets (Youth orsearches in brackets (Youth or
Adolescen*) if there are no boxesAdolescen*) if there are no boxes
 Be aware of differences in spellingBe aware of differences in spelling
organisationorganisation oror organizationorganization

24. Library HomepageLibrary Homepage
www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/librarywww.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library
Click here
for online
resources