Curtin Malaysia Library & Learning Commons conducts information literacy skills workshops for Miri students

Miri – 7 March 2019 – The Library & Learning Commons section of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently conducted Information Literacy Skills (ILS) workshops for students of three secondary schools in Miri, namely Sekolah Menengah Sains Miri, Sekolah Menengah Kerajaan Pujut and Sekolah Menengah Vokasional Miri.

Such workshops are conducted annually as part of The Library & Learning Commons’ community engagement initiatives. It has conducted ILS workshops at numerous secondary schools in the Miri area in the conviction that it is an important skill every student should acquire to enable them to be fully prepared for high-level studies.

The workshops conducted at the university were facilitated by a team of the university’s librarians comprising Nora Hii, Annita Weng and Caroline John.

“Information literacy is an essential skill everyone should master before pursuing higher education,” said Curtin Malaysia’s Head of Library & Learning Commons Mac’ Earldon Mike Maxwell. “With the ever-changing demands in the education system, students need to be equipped with skills such as understanding the World Wide Web, how to differentiate between fact and fiction, and most importantly, the ethical and legal issues of obtaining and disseminating information online.”

Hii, meanwhile, said the ILS workshops are highly anticipated by the schools in Miri and eagerly await invitations from the university to participate at the start of each year.

“We can only conduct for workshops for a few schools at a time, but over the years, we have managed to cover most of the schools in the Miri area, and even some rural schools,” she said.

She added that the teachers and students who have participated in the past have commented that the workshops are real eye–openers, especially when it comes to evaluating Internet and website content, and learning to use online resources as useful education and knowledge acquisition tools.

“This is something they will encounter a lot when they enter universities,” Hii remarked.

The Library & Learning Commons section serves over 4,000 students and staff at the university. Its facilities include The Library occupying approximately 16,100 square feet on three floors, which is complemented by two common study areas across the campus. The three spaces combined can accommodate over 700 people.

The Library’s current collections consist of approximately 32,800 printed books, 4,300 audio-visual items, 500 print journals, 420,000 electronic books, 160,000 electronic journals and 600 online databases. With the latest digital technologies and Internet access, its extensive online resources are easily accessible by users anywhere and at any time.

Helping users acquire Information Literacy Skills is a big part of the library services it provides. All new students to the university are encouraged to attend ILS training aimed at equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate and use all the library services, particularly the online resources.

It also engages with students through its yearly Library Explore Day where library staff showcase The Library and its services to students through information booths, exhibitions and interactive games. The underlying idea is to introduce The library as a modern, technology-rich and multifunctional space.

Students of SM Sains Miri engaged in group discussion during workshop.

Students of SMK Pujut at the end of their workshop.

Students of SM Vokasional Miri with Curtin Malaysia librarians.