dec11a.indd


December 2011 621 C&RL News

In the
Welcome to the December 2011 issue of 
C&RL News. Games are a big trend this time 
of year with the holiday season. Many librar-
ies are also experimenting with a variety 
games and platforms to showcase their fa-
cilities and services and teach information lit-
eracy skills. California State University-Fresno 
librarians created an online orientation game 
in Blackboard to highlight their resources. 
Monica Fusich, Amanda Dinscore, Kimberley 
Smith, and Vang Vang write about “HML-IQ” 
in this month’s issue.

The University of Michigan’s “Bib-
liobouts” game uses online social gaming to 
collaboratively teach research skills. Karen 
Markey, Christopher Leeder, and Amy R. 
Hofer discuss the development and features 
of the game, along with its benefits for stu-
dents. Lizz Zitron and Courtney Drew high-
light Carthage College’s Amazing Race-style 
orientation game in their article “Get a clue.” 
In addition to being a creative take on the 
traditional scavenger hunt, the game provided 
an opportunity for collaboration between the 
library and student affairs.

In this month’s Scholarly Communication 
column, Caroline Sutton examines the eco-
nomics and business models of open access 
scholarly publishing through the matrix of 
Chris Anderson’s book Free. Meagan Lacy 
discusses working as a liaison librarian in a 
discipline where she lacked subject knowledge 
in her The Way I See It essay, “The virtues of 
a committed dilettante.” 

In addition to our feature articles, we take 
a look back at the past year this month with 
the 2010-2011 ACRL Annual Report. Looking 
to the future, discover how you can “Make a 
difference” in your association and profession 
by volunteering to serve on one of our many 
division or section committees. 

Make sure to check out the other features 
and columns this month, including Internet 
Resources on “Cultural competency in health 
care” by Karen Gilbert and information on 
the newly reinvented ACRL CLIPP publication 
program from the College Library Section.

Thanks as always for reading the News!  
—David Free, editor-in-chief

dfree@ala.org