My name is Char Booth. I’m the Instruction Services Manager & E-Learning Librarian at the Claremont Colleges Library and also serve as an ACRL Immersion faculty member. In my work I explore the integration of education, technology, and design in library services. The title of this blog comes from a written instruction assessment I once received from a student, something to the effect of “thanks. very info-mational.”
Schedule permitting, I’m often up for a presentation. You can reach me at charbooth at gmail if you think I’d fit on a panel, etc. I also consult on research and instruction strategies and lead full and half-day workshops on topics ranging from instructional design and pedagogy, emerging technology development, collaboration and outreach, user assessment, teaching effectiveness, and learning technologies. Take a look at my past and upcoming presentations and publications for examples of what I’m up to.
Follow me: @charbooth
Hello,
I’ve been reading with great interest your USER Method. Now I am looking at your blog for the first time.
I’m curious…what do you mean by, “librarians who t-c-b”?
Thank you,
Chris
By: CGibson on 11 July 2010
at 4:28 pm
tcb = take care of business, thanks for asking. cb.
By: char booth on 12 July 2010
at 7:39 am
Char,
I remember finding your Library Student Bill of Rights in Library Journal when I first started an MLS program close to two years ago. I found it spoke to me at the time. I am still enjoying your writing/sentiments/musings…just read Shapeshifting. A big thanks to you.
By: Caitlin Quinn on 2 August 2010
at 4:45 pm
thanks, caitlin – that’s extremely nice to hear. i surely hope the mls is treating you well.
By: char booth on 3 August 2010
at 7:44 am
[...] Char Booth—a writer, teacher, trainer, librarian and colleague whom I very much admire—documented a small piece of this too-familiar picture through a survey she completed: “…only about a third of those who regularly teach and train in libraries completed education-related coursework during their MLS [Master of Library Science] studies, only 16 percent of which was required. Strikingly, over two-thirds of these instruction librarians felt that their LIS education underprepared them to teach…” [...]
By: Char Booth: Reflective Teaching, Effective Learning, and a USER at the Center of the Process « Building Creative Bridges on 30 March 2011
at 7:19 pm
Char…you mentioned your “boyfriend” John Dewey at the ACRL presentation last week in Philly. I have never read any John Dewey and was wondering if you had a suggestion on where to begin with his readings and work. I found “Experience and Education” in my own library and I am getting ready to go and grab it for a peak through while I eat lunch. Any of his works that you would suggest as influential would be fantastic. I was really inspired by your presentation. Thanks for all your work in the field. I am looking forward to looking over your blog and gathering more ideas and inspiration.
By: Tracy on 5 April 2011
at 9:17 am
tracy, hi. thanks for the note, and john dewey is as excellent an educational philosopher as he is a boyfriend. i’d recommend starting with democracy and education, which is a fascinating read that totally shifted my thinking on the nature of individual/collective learning, particularly in terms of motivation, experience, and the role of the “formal” educator. experience and education is another fine choice. best thing about him is that you can’t really go wrong, but those two will definitely stand you in fine stead in terms of thinking about your own teaching practice.
By: char booth on 5 April 2011
at 9:33 am
I have Democracy and Education sitting right here on my desk. Thanks again for the recommendation. I appreciate all the authors you mention in your latest book. Thanks for sharing.
By: tracymichellehall on 20 April 2011
at 2:23 pm
Of course, and I hope you enjoy the book. He is brilliant.
By: char booth on 4 May 2011
at 12:04 pm
[...] a recent EQUACC retreat, the Accessibility sub-committee (myself, Barbara Mates, and Axel Schmetzke) identified five barriers that stand between users and [...]
By: Libraries and E-Content: Toward a More Universal Design | EQUACC on 13 April 2011
at 12:16 pm
Char, I just read the dedication in your latest book- what a lovely sentiment! Had lunch with your mom a few weeks ago — she was busting her buttons with pride. Can’t believe I’ve known you since before you were born – congrats on taking our profession by storm. Hope we run into each other in the near future, Your ex-cousin, Pam (at Austin Community College)
By: Pam Spooner on 1 June 2011
at 1:55 pm
pam, wow: what a small world. my momma is such a wonderful lady that she deserves two dedications. i’m very glad to share the profession with you, and would love to catch up next time i’m in austin. in the meantime, enjoy the homeland to its fullest.
By: char booth on 1 June 2011
at 4:15 pm
Char, I cited you as the inspiration (your book “Informing Innovation”) for my presentation at Nevada State College last year on what to consider when launching new technologies (http://prezi.com/6esnvy_ju4qo/launching-new-library-technologies/), and have poured over your book on reflective instruction. I was fortunate in my studies at SJSU SLIS to take two courses which delved deeply into the ‘art and craft’ of library instruction, and I continue to have great interest in this area of librarianship. I’ve also enjoyed your presentation on curriculum mapping, which we’re just now looking at. Just want to thank you for all you do and add to our profession!
By: Margaret Driscoll on 11 January 2013
at 12:40 pm
thank you truly for these gracious words, margaret – your presentation is spot on, and i wish you all the best.
By: char booth on 12 January 2013
at 9:52 am
[...] Teaching, Effective Learning: Instructional Literacy for Library Educators‘ van Char Booth tegen. Zij wijdt een heel hoofdstuk aan het op een aantrekkelijke manier ontwerpen van je [...]
By: Gebruikersinstructie: Engage! | 2.0 Drops on 4 March 2013
at 11:49 pm