Internet Public Library (ipl2) Assignment
Dr. Joe Janes started the Internet Public Library in 1995 with 35 graduate students enrolled in a seminar
class taught at the University of Michigan. In January 2010, the Internet Public Library and the Librarians’
Internet Index (LII) websites were merged into one website. This ipl2 site contains customized resources
and an AskALibrarian feature. Ipl2 is now a well used and respected resource; students in reference
classes in many schools of library and information science are participating in ipl2 as one step in their
preparation for prospective careers in reference services.
This semester, students in INF382D, “Introduction to Information Resources and Services,” will join
other volunteers in answering four (4) questions posed to ipl2 by the public.
There are a number of steps you must complete before you can start answering questions. My best
advice is to start your preparation very early in the semester. We will learn together about the process
involved. Browse deeply the content on the ipl2 website: http://www.ipl.org/
Step 1: Registering Our Assignment with ipl2
First, I have registered to use the ipl in our class. There is information about this process at:
http://training.ipl.org/div/backroom/instructors/register.html
Each student will need a login and password to participate. Ipl2 has asked me to send them student
emails. Please confirm your preferred email address. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
asks that I receive your permission to submit your email address. Please contact me by noon on Friday, 2
September if you prefer to opt-out of this assignment. You can do this by sending an email to
loriene@ischool.utexas.edu (or via Blackboard), indicating that you are withdrawing your consent to
participate.
Step 2: Go Through the ipl2 Training Process
The ipl2 Reference Administrator needs to approve your preparation before you can answer questions
from the public on behalf of ipl2. To stay on track, you need to complete your preparation by Monday,
19 September 2011.
Go to the “Ask an ipl2 Librarian Digital Reference Service
Student and Volunteer Training Manual” at:
http://training.ipl.org/div/backroom/refvols/students/
Follow the Five Training Steps:
 Step 1: Read the Online Training Documentation completing the six training modules:
Module 1: The Six Mandatory Elements
Module 2: The Reference Interview
Module 3: Working with QRC, the Question Answering Interface
Module 4: Locating Sources and Search Techniques
Module 5: Evaluating Sources
Module 6: Responding to Questions Submitted By Youth
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Step 2: Take the Training Quiz.
http://training.ipl.org/div/backroom/refvols/students/qrcquiz.html
Once you complete and pass the quiz, you will receive login information from an ipl2
adminstration. This will give you access to practice questions and you can proceed to the next
step.
Step 3: Answer your Practice Question and Submit the Practice Question Form.
Step 4: Wait! Your Practice Question Response must be Reviewed.
You will receive personalized feedback from an ipl2 Administrator based on your Practice
Question Forum.
Step 5: Move on to Answer Real Questions.
By the beginning of class September 19, submit a paper copy of your practice question and ipl2
Administrator response to me. Remember to add a cover sheet.
Step 3: Answer Four (4) ipl2 User Questions.
You are now prepared to answer questions posed by patrons to ipl2’s AskALibrarian service
(http://www.ipl.org/div/askus/). Follow the Six Mandatory Elements you learned about in your
ipl2 training. For sources, use those available on ipl2, sources we discussed in class, sources
on the lists appended to the class website, or those identified in your text book. Keep a record of
each question you answer along with your response. Submit the questions on the designated
due dates in the class syllabus. Also, append these questions as an appendix to the Slam the
Boards!/IPL2 Reflective Essay that you will submit at the end of the semester.
Questions will be evaluated according to these criteria. Full credit is given to questions that are
given correct and complete answers, using appropriate resources, following the Six Mandatory
Elements approach. Answers should be well written. Sources should be cited following the
Chicago Manual of Style.