Areas of Expertise

Internet information resources and search skills, Internet training, instructional design for online courses. Also information technology, measurement and evaluation, research, information needs analysis, systems development and implementation, project planning and management.

Internet Training

Web-Based Learning

Develop and provide web-based, distance-learning courses.

The Internet Guide: a self-paced and comprehensive course about the Internet, covering browsers, communication, research, discussion groups, software, and shopping. TIG taught through exercises and quizzes, and directed students to the most important sites. It was available through the Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto from January 1997 to January 2002. Won Best Product Award (1997) from the SLA Toronto Chapter. TIG was used by the Industry Canada initiatives - LibraryNet, Volnet, and Community Access Program - to train staff, volunteers, and library trustees across Canada. Originally developed with Sandra Wood.

GUIDE an interactive web-based course about the Internet customized to marketing interests. Developed with Sandra Wood for Statistics Canada, Marketing Division. Delivered in June 1996.

Current Awareness Services on the Net and Mastering Web Searching, two distance-education courses conducted through email, web, and chat over seven weeks. To see the schedule for the Mastering Web Searching course and register, check Faculty of Information: Web-Based Internet Courses.

Instructional Design and Development

Instructional designer for two online certificates in Records and Information Management program offered through the Professional Learning Centre the Faculty of Information, University of Toronto. Course uses Blackboard courseware.

Classroom Training

Customized Internet training in resources and tools.

Professional Learning Centre, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto: Currently teaching the course on Advanced Web Search Strategies. Have taught courses about the Internet and Web searching through the Professional Learning Centre since 1994. Also taught in the Internet Business and Technology certificate program at the School of Continuing Studies.

Several Canadian corporations and government departments - developed and delivered customized training to Bell Canada, Bank of Canada, BASF, Ontario Hydro, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, and others.

Workshops for public libraries (Windsor, Kitchener, Toronto) and community colleges (Seneca, Humber). Tutorials to individuals.

Writings, Presentations and Workshops

Presentations on Internet Resources and Web Search techniques. Nothing Stands Still presented at the OLA SuperConference, January 2004 and Staying Current with News on the Net for CASLIS Toronto - March 9, 2003. As well there was Current Awareness - Strategies, Techniques and Tools at Internet Librarian in Palm Springs, November 2002.

Also Ontario Library Association's Super Conference (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004), Canadian Library Association Conference (1999, 2001), Internet Librarian (1998).

Web Search Alert column in Information Highways: Canada's Online Magazine. Convened the Web Search Alert session at the Information Highways conferences (1999, 2000, 2001).

Presentation on Life on the Web: The Web as a Social Place for Ex Libris Association (Nov 2007) - Slideshare.

Presentations about web-based distance education. Web-Based Courses for Continuing Education - Libraries given at the Quality Assurance for Distance Education Conference in June 2000 in Washington D.C..

Online Research

Infomart Dialog: Assisted clients in using the Infomart and Dialog online databases and conducted on-demand online search from the Client Services desk at Infomart Dialog, Toronto. 1994 - 1996

Evaluation and Measurement

Client Survey: Assisted in a Library Client Survey at Environment Canada with focus group interviews, compilation and analysis of data, and recommendations for change in services. February - March 1997

Review of Library Services: Conducted a technology assessment of library services at Blake, Cassels & Craydon, as part of a larger study by Jane Cooney to review information services. Compiled and analyzed data. September - December 1996

Library Evaluation and Technology Assessment: Assisted in a study conducted by Jane Cooney, Books for Business, of library services at the Solicitor General Canada, January - May 1995. Areas of attention were library streamlining an virtual library initiatives.

Library Evaluation: Developed and applied a business case framework and survey questionnaire for evaluating a library service in the Ontario Ministry of Finance, October - December 1993. An account of the study was published in the Summer 1996 issue of Special Libraries, and subsequently won the H.W. Wilson award for best article.

Measurement Program: As Systems Manager at the Toronto Dominion Bank, I developed and piloted a measurement and performance reporting system for Systems and Research Development. Areas of attention were quality and productivity. January 1991 - April 1992.

Information Services

Conducted an information needs analysis for the Federation of Ontario Naturalists on its library and prepared a proposal for use and management of that library. October 1993 to March 1994.

Systems Development and Implementation

Toronto Dominion Bank - Systems Research and Development, Toronto 1982 - 1991: In the roles of systems analyst, project manager, and systems manager, I prepared and managed several system-development plans to meet Bank initiatives for regulatory and financial management reporting. As systems manager, I managed a group of 28 to 32 people in servicing the information needs of the Finance and Control Division. As a group, ours was one of the most advanced in using new methodologies and tools for systems development.

Education

• Master of Library Science, 1994, University of Toronto , Canada
• Master of Business Administration, 1982, Queen's University, Canada
• Honours B.A. (History), 1969, Queen's University, Canada

Professional Affiliations

Canadian Association of Special Libraries and Information Services, Canadian Library Association: President of the Toronto chapter of CASLIS 1996-97

Special Libraries Association: Communications Director 1998-1999, Chair of the Internet Committee - 1995- 1998. Winner of the Toronto Chapter Member of the Year 1995. Frequent contributor to the .Courier, the chapter's newsletter.

How to Reach Me

Gwen Harris Information Services
E-Mail: goharris @ websearchguide.ca

LinkedIn: Gwen Harris