Enhance your library instruction class by using this hands-on guide and learn numerous unique active learning exercises.The effectiveness of active-learning approaches to instruction is well documented. What is needed now are proven, practical applications. Written for every librarian or teacher looking for such new and creative teaching techniques, Cybrarian Extraordinaire: Compelling Information Literacy Instruction fills the gap. Based on the author's own experiences, the book shares specific active-learning exercises created to make library instruction more engaging for a wide variety of audiences.Specifically, author Felicia A. Smith illustrates the process of creating "edu-tainment" activities designed to serve serious instructional goals in a manner that is both fun and effective. Her book provides detailed examples of innovative ways to engage students in mandatory library classes. Among other ideas, it explores the use of e-readers as learning tools and describes the planning and possibilities involved in creating classes in online worlds, such as Second Life. Of course, it also explains the evolution of Smith's Pirate Librarian, offering exercises that reinforced the "library material as buried treasure" theme.

Acknowledgments1 Cybrarian Roads to Information Literacy InstructionPreprofessional ExperiencesResident Librarian2 Resident LibrarianNever Give UpThe Birth of an Extraordinary CybrarianThe Teacher Is Also the StudentGrading Student AssignmentsTeaching DatabasesTeaching HintsActive LearningFirst Time for Everything: Creating the CommercialStoryboardingScriptThe Importance of Committees in Academic LibrariesGroupthink PitfallsMaking Teaching Interesting and FunVerbotsFacebook and PodcastsThe Birth of the PiRRRate TeacheRRRThe Mechanics of TeachingFor-Credit vs. Orientation CoursesFifteen-Minute Drop-in SessionsOutreach Classes and WorkshopsSmartBoard Workshop for Library EmployeesAchieving Continued EmploymentClosing3 Moving into the Virtual World: From Having No Life to Having a Second LifeHelping Your Fellow Librarians with Second Life4 Outreach Librarian and Wireless Reading DevicesStall Notes5 Planning and Selling Instruction by the KISSS Preparation Method (Keep It Simple, Significant, Silly)Leaving the Library for the ClassroomSample Educational Games6 Evaluating Your Courses7 Sharing the Present, Preparing for the FutureAppendix A: Updated Storyboard (PPT)Appendix B: Journal Highlights and Evaluation Survey ResultsAppendix C: Sample Daily Syllabus and Written Class ActivityAppendix D: Stall NotesBibliographyIndex