Success at the Enquiry Desk: Successful Enquiry Answering

Customer Reviews:

Review of "Success At The Enquiry Desk.".......2000-05-28

Mr. Owen guides you through the reference process in "Success At The Enquiry Desk," with a touch of lighthearted candor that makes the learning process enjoyable. Chapters on topics including where to find reference answers, how to present the answer as well as what to do if you can not find an answer compliment this wonderful book. Although the book's examples are geared towards British resources, Mr. Owen presents them so that basic reference searching strategies are the primary focus. He also includes a bibliography of key reference sources. This book was fun to read and included humorous yet, realistic examples that illustrated reference search strategies. I think this book would be a good resource for library students and the beginning reference librarian.

Never defeated.(Success at the Enquiry Desk: Successful Enquiry Answering--Every Time)(Book Review): An article from: The Australian Library Journal

Average customer rating:

Never defeated.(Success at the Enquiry Desk: Successful Enquiry Answering--Every Time)(Book Review): An article from: The Australian Library Journal
Helen Dunford
Manufacturer: Australian Library and Information Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Australian Library Journal, published by Australian Library and Information Association on August 1, 2004. The length of the article is 436 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Never defeated.(Success at the Enquiry Desk: Successful Enquiry Answering--Every Time)(Book Review)
Author: Helen Dunford
Publication: The Australian Library Journal (Refereed)
Date: August 1, 2004
Publisher: Australian Library and Information Association
Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Page: 320(1)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Two training legends offer you a definitive team sourcebook!

The world's two best-known team-building facilitators bring you over thirty-five cutting-edge activities. You'll turn to this treasury of hassle-free, sure-fire games, exercises, and simulations time and time again.

"In keeping with the tradition of continuous learning about teamwork, Thiagi and Parker have hit a home run. Teamwork and Teamplay is a must-have for every training bookshelf."
--Harvey A. Robbins, co-author, Why Teams Don't Work

"I can think of forty reasons to buy this book: thirty-eight games and activities, each a gem--plus two of the best writers in the training business. I am truly impressed at how well each activity is designed and how easy the rules are to understand."
--Steve Sugar, author, Games That Teach; president, The Game Group

The game formats are varied: some short, some long; some icebreakers, some closers; and much more! A game selection matrix enables you to find a game that suits your situation. Plus, training legends Thiagi and Parker share with you their proven insights on effective teamwork and facilitation.

Customer Reviews:

Recommended!.......2005-12-15

Run and buy... This book has a lot of good exercises and ideas for developing teams. I specially found it helpful dealing with group processes, e.g. how to work with roles, conflict, tasks, cooperation and other topics. I have read about 30 books about teams and games/ activities: These book is one of the top three. My best recommendations!

Together Everyone Achieves More.......2002-07-22

More is just what this phenomenal book of new and exciting trainings offers any aspiring and inspiring trainer. The trainings can be easily grouped and shared to produce high impact.

In returning from a weekend seminar of team building and communication courses, several trainings from this manuel helped to provide for a high-impact seminar with team-work problem solving, team interaction and production, opportunities for great transitional shorties between programs (adaptability is immense!) and communication inside the team.

Metcalfe, Our Team, ET, Escape from Gilligan's Island were among the courses used and combined with others throughout the seminar. Worthwhile trainings and with some ingenuity and creativity, easily adaptable to fit any size of audience!

I highly recommend this book for trainers looking to provide something new or something different in seminars on team work and communication.

I know I can't wait to implement more trainings from the book into helping others become better team players!

Thiagi done it again!.......2001-10-02

I met Thiagi few years ago when I was still in Bloomington, Indiana (when I was still a PhD student). I love his game and simulation seminar a lot. This book include a lot of his "tricks" and pratical guidelines for those trainers who would like to motivate the team sprit and so on. A highly recommend book

Well-Organized and Useful Resource.......2001-06-23

Being one of those relatively concrete-sequential, oldest child, ISTJ (for the Myers-Briggs aficionados) people, I started my consulting career a little wary of all these "touchy-feely" group activities that trainers use when working with groups. Well, times change and (maybe) people do, too. I have done a fair amount of group facilitation and training, and have found all kinds of activities to be very beneficial in getting people to identify, focus on, and move toward shared goals. Many trainers discount or are ignorant of the requirements of adult learners -- most adults won't sit still (literally) for traditional, classroom-style instruction for more than 45 minutes at a time.

This book is an excellent, concise, easy-to-follow resource for anyone working in either team building or team training environments. As explained in the book's introduction, team building "...increases the ability of an intact team to work together...," while team training "...increases the knowledge and skills of the participants in various aspects of teamwork and being a team player...." The book presents many exercises for each type of team experience.

Each of the 38 activities is organized in an easy-to-follow format that includes:

* purpose * team size (minimum/maximum recommended group) * required resources * time (to complete) * room setup * steps * debriefing * variations * templates, charts, overheads, as applicable

The book also includes appendices that sort the activities by primary use (team building or team training), time and participants, and by topic area (desired outcome or issue being addressed). These appendices make it easy to determine at a glance which of the 38 activities are most appropriate for a particular group or setting when designing training.

The value of the introduction bears emphasis. Many books have forgettable introductions; this book's introduction is an excellent short essay on the value, uses, and benefits of building and training teams. Read it slowly -- the authors make their points quickly. If you skim, you'll miss something important.

Whether you're a consultant or in-house trainer, regardless of organization size or mission, this book is a handy tool to improve the quality, participation, and outcomes from your groups training.

Splendid Team-Training Tool.......2000-09-28

Sivasailam "Thiagi" Thiagarajan designs activities and games for training programs and to improve human performance. Glenn Parker is a team-building expert. When the two of them paired up to create Teamwork and Teamplay, they were able to offer 38 team-building and training exercises that work.

The value of this book begins with its introduction. Thiagi and Parker start by identifying 7 different types of teams and guidelines for using the activities. Those guidelines include steps to take so you are prepared to facilitate the activity, steps to take during the activity, and what to do after the activity is concluded.

Activities include skill-building in consensus-making (don't miss "Escape from Gilligan's Island" here!), ethics, motivation, team effectiveness, stages of team development. . .and more.

Thiagi and Parker include three indices at the end of the book: a topical index, a primary use (team-building or -training activity) index, and a time/number index.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Resource!.......2005-08-08

This book is a tremendous resource for anyone who does teambuilding! Included are activities that can be done on a "shoestring" budget as well as some more advanced initiatives. Especially helful is a section with plans on building props for team building activities! A few "old classic" activities are included, but it mostly covers new activities.

WOW!!!.......2001-12-06

I've worked with high school groups and some corporate groups in outdoor adventure education for more than 12 years and this book would have been most helpful earlier in my career. This is a MUST BUY for anyone who in involved in training or education. The vaule of the book is so much higher than the acutal price. Once again. This is a MUST BUY for your personal or business libaray.

Useful and Useable.......2001-12-05

Possibly a top five choice for those beginning an experiential-adventure education, resource book library.

Very good written and visual descriptions. In addition,the authors focused a great deal on assisting the reader in identifying and locating the resources and tools necessary for each activity and initiative. The detailed information is useful for both purchasing and creating additions to your equipment bag of tricks. This feature alone has been very attractive to those browsing through the book at our introductory level, facilitator workshops.

The book features a good blend of low prop, portable activities along with less-portable intiatives. Also, helpful variations of activities such as the spider web and bull ring are provided.

You may find less expensive, activity books, but this remains an excellent value as a quality resource book.

For those looking to begin a library - this is one of my top five recommendations. If you are an experienced facilitator, you will likely find good information, but you may not find the book as valuable as a less experienced facilitator.

The best single volume.......2001-04-30

I have worked on challenge courses for nearly ten years and used much of what I do there in my other life as a middle school teacher. This is the best single volume I've seen. I was thrilled to read up on some truly new ideas as well as most of the tried and true stalwarts. Too often I've bought a book only to find that it is a repackaging of ideas that have been around a while. There is some of this, but plenty of innovation. The descriptions are clear and Caine has provided step-by-step instructions for making all of the equipment described in the book. They also comprehensively list other books, equipment vendors, organizations, etc.

If you know someone who's budget allows only one book, this is a great place to start.

Almost as good as in person.......2000-03-18

Jim Cain recently conducted a workshop for our ACA group. He mentioned that the book came about because he was giving out a thick stack of hand-outs at his workshops that were darn close to a book. So he put them together and created this book. The energy and spirit that Jim shows in his workshops is clearly reflected in this book. Although nothing can really replace an "in-person" demonstration of the activities, this book gives clear explainations and examples in a "how to" format. Along with a section on how to build many of the activities with supplies easily available at many home improvement centers. There are activities for youth, schools, camps, corporate; large budget or small budget. This book is an excellent investment.

Defining Moment: A Download from Teamwork and Teamplay (Pfeiffer Electronic Downloads)

Average customer rating:

Defining Moment: A Download from Teamwork and Teamplay (Pfeiffer Electronic Downloads)
Sivasailam Thiagarajan , and Glenn M. Parker
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

Based on a case study, this activity provides a tough but realistic dilemma for a team. Ideal for small teams, but also applicable for a group of unrelated participants.

Objectives:

To increase a team’s awareness of its ethical values

To help a team work through the process of making an ethical decision

Group Size: Less than 10. If the group is large, this activity can be done in several small sub-groups.

Book Description

This self-assessment is a great discussion starter on team member recognition.

Objectives:

To give team members an opportunity to understand what types of recognition they value
To give team members an opportunity to learn what motivates their teammates

To help teammates tailor their recognition more specifically to the needs of their teammates

Group Size: Most useful as an exercise for an intact team of 10 or less. However, it can be used in a team-training class of 20 to 30 people. It can even be adapted to use with larger groups that are divided in small sub-groups.

Time Required: 1 hour

Average customer rating:
The Values Continuum: A Download from Teamwork and Teamplay (Pfeiffer Electronic Downloads)
Sivasailam Thiagarajan , and Glenn M. Parker
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: B0007NXRGO

Book Description

An interactive activity that will help participants understand and appreciate team culture. Includes a worksheet and assessment tool to provide a better perception of the team’s values.

Objectives:

To define the culture of the team

To develop a plan to alter the culture of the team

Group Size: Works best with an intact team of less than 10; however, it can be adapted for use with a larger group

Time Required: 2 hours

Book Description

If you want to change the world, you'll want to read Inspired Philanthropy. Tracy Gary and Melissa Kohner show you how social change happens. No matter how much or little you have to give, you'll learn how to create a giving plan that will make your charitable giving catalytic. Then, through clear text and substantive exercises, you'll learn how to align your giving with your deepest values— to help bring about the very changes you want.

Download Description

Customer Reviews:

Not very enlightening.......2007-06-30

This book could be helpful to people who donate little bits here and there when the doorbell rings, and feel they aren't spending where they mean too. Really, though,it just finds several ways to tell you to stop and think about what you believe in and act accordingly. I recommend thinking about that on your own, and then donating the money you might have reserved for this book to that good cause.

For donors with over $25,000 to give there is only one chapter. The primary advice to large donors is to get an advisor. Then it offers pearls of wisdom like, "If you're thinking of making a substantial gift to an organization you will want to have some detailed knowledge about he group's financial situation. One way to do this is to review their budget and balance sheet." I wonder how many large donors really find such advice enlightening.

One last word of warning - if your politics are not left-leaning you may be offended by some of the assumptions which are put forth in this book as facts - such as that government is not doing as much as it should to help those in need.

A great book to help the engaged philanthropist create a giving plan.......2006-10-19

After reading "Strategic Giving" by Peter Frumkin (ISBN: 0226266265) last night, this book was a bit of a letdown. I read both books last night at Barnes and Noble. Although this book was well written, easy to follow, short and to the point, and pleasing to the eye, its text fonts were larger and the line spacing was bigger than used in Frumkin's book. The larger fonts and line spacing made the book feel less credible. But that's just me.

I can't fairly knock this book, though. In fact, it is a wonderful book. It will provide much help to an engaged philanthropist when creating his or her giving plan. My recommendation is that if you are interested in being an informed and strategic major donor, then get a copy of both books because they really compliment each other very well. Gary's book provides the framework of a guide to putting a giving plan together, and Frumkin's book gives the necessary background information that will help you better use Gary's "guide."

The first eight chapters of this book are the meat of the guide. They will lead you step by step in creating a sound giving plan. And the last four chapters are an attempt to cover what Frumkin covers in his book.

I would have liked the book better if the diagram of the Giving Plan Model at page 198 included in Appendix A had been included up at the front of the book and fully explained in what should have been the first chapter. Then the author could have proceeded to more fully explain the model in the next eight chapters.

And I'm not sure Appendix B was necessary. To me the book was about "how to plan to give" to charity in a meaningful way. Not "how to give." I would liked to have seen more content in this book like the content included in Frumkin's book. And if that had been done, then Appendix B would have clearly appeared to be out of place.

All in all, this is a 5 star book and one that major donors should definitely read.

Tracy is the Real Deal.......2003-07-24

Tracy's book is probably the most practical material you can get anywhere on engaged philanthropy. Whether you give a lot or a little, whether you give money or time, this book walks you through a process that will make your giving more informed, passionate, strategic, and effective. This book is based on many years of experience in which Tracy has given herself and worked with others who give. Tracy herself is a well-known progressive philanthropic and activist, but the worksheets in this book would work well regardless of a reader's philanthropic causes. Highly recommended.

Customer Reviews:

Sentimental.......2007-08-27

This catastrophe deserved a more comprehensive treatment. "When one person dies, it is a tragedy. When thousands die, it is war." What happened in Libby, Montana was like war on a population, but this book treats it like several personal tragedies. The W.R. Grace Company is a corporation without a conscience and deserves to be indicted for its crimes, not be allowed to avoid all responsibility by going into and then out of bankruptcy unscathed. The book on what happened in Libby still needs to be written.

journalism vs. soap opera.......2005-06-11

As a former Libby resident (1976-1982) and one who has since found out that I am one of the 'victims', I was looking forward to reading "Libby Montana". I was hoping for a journalist's straight forward and honest appraisal of the Libby tragedy.
Instead, I found myself reading a series of disconnected thoughts and needless ramblings - sprinkled with a lot of overworked sentimentality. I personally know (or knew) many of the folks named in the book. Instead of writing from a true journalist's viewpoint, Andrea Peacock instead presents a verbal 'Oprah Winfrey' show. She wanders back and forth through history with no really coherent thought process and hopes that by throwing in an occassional tear-jerking story now and then she will keep the reader interested. She has managed to turn would could have been an excellent documentary into a soap opera and by doing so only belittles the overall magnitude of the Libby disaster.

More true than true and worse than anyone could believe!.......2004-02-29

I was born in this town, Libby, Montana. Eventhough I grew up eighteen miles away in Troy, I knew most of the families mentioned in the book. My high school field trip was a day trip to the mine, the dry processing plant, the expansion plant, the loading docks. All through junior high and high school, we had track meets next to the railroad tracks where the trains were loaded with the ore. What she says in her book is true, no one told anyone that the ore was harmful, or even had asbestos in it. No one said a word, and if anyone asked, they were told it was "nuisance dust." It was such a cover-up that I had to read the Seattle PI account twice before I believed it.
I applied for a job at the mine when I went to college. That was thirty years ago. If I had gotten that job, chances are I would be dead, just like my father. Dad never worked at the mine, but he drove by it several times a week to maintain some radio equipment on top of the mountain. Several times a week for twenty-six years and he died of Mesothelioma.

Excellent Read.......2004-01-27

Andrea Peacock did an excellent job of describing the
environmental disaster that has ravaged this small
Montana town.

Peacock's description of human suffering,
corporate greed, and "bought" politicians brings
this true story to life.

Highly recommended reading.

mesothelioma lobby loves this book.......2004-01-26

Truth be told, asbestos will not kill 100% of everybody. Consider these stats: Industrial accidents comprise 1.1 million deaths, which exceeds the average annual deaths from road accidents (999,000), war (502,000), violence (563,000) and HIV/AIDS (312,000). Of this total deaths from asbestos exposure equals about 100,000 (9% of all industrial accidents, and only 2.9% of the total deaths above).

Yet the mesothelioma lobby would want you to believe that asbestos--which is a mineral known since ancient times--will kill everybody unless it's totally removed.

This reporter tries to ape Aron Brockovitch, and plays up to the hype. In fact, it gives just one side of the story. The other side is this: the people at Libby supported asbestos while the going was good, yet when demand died down, they turned against it. You cannot have your cake and eat it too. Harsh but true. BTW, I have nothing against cancer sufferors, just pointing out that there's a lobby of lawyers who make a killing filing lawsuits on behalf of mesothelioma victims. And this book plays to that lobby.

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