the integration of embedded librarians at tuskegee university juanita m. roberts director library...

The Integration of Embedded Librarians at Tuskegee University

Juanita M. RobertsDirectorLibrary ServicesFord Motor Company Library/Learning Resources Center

Margaret K. AlexanderLibrarianT. S. Williams Veterinary Medical Library

Tuskegee University

PresentationLEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

April 4-8, 2008Morehouse College of Leadership

Atlanta, Georgia

Tuskegee University Libraries

The Integration of Embedded Librarians at Tuskegee University

Tuskegee University’s Library Services…

Propose to explore and create collaborative ways to establish better collaboration between faculty and librarians by increasing visibility of librarians and libraries as research providers.

This collaborative effort is seen as a means of improving

the informational literacy skills of Tuskegee University students.

Librarians are embedded into the classroom environment

to assist faculty with teaching assignments and research needs.

To accomplish this goal, three steps have been taken. Step One: Blackboard, a web-based course

management system, was selected and reviewed by the E-Learning Coordinator and two librarians.

Step Two: An essential component was to gain an understanding of the functionality and use of Blackboard at Tuskegee University.

Step Three: Because the “buy in” of the librarians is vital to the success of this project, meetings were held to obtain their input and suggestions.

As a result, the integration of embedded librarians into Blackboard is being viewed as a success based on the feedback from the instructor, students and librarians.


PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Definition of Blackboard

Tuskegee University Libraries Strategic Plan

Project Goal and Objectives

Project Review

Breakthroughs/Innovations

Application of Learnings

Summary


Definition of Blackboard

Web-based course-management system

Enables faculty and students to participant in classes online or use online materials and activities

Instructors are able to provide class materials, handouts, discussion boards, chat rooms and online tests to students.


Tuskegee University LibrariesStrategic Plan

Fundamental purpose is to acquire, organize, preserve and disseminate information

Supports the educational program of the University

Prepares the student to function responsibly as an individual within society

Tuskegee University’s mission focuses on three special elements: Instruction, Research and Service

Committed to preserve past resources as well as addressing new technological advances within the diverse collections

Enhance vital skills of information literacy that form the foundation for lifelong learning within the student learning environment


Strategic Directions

Collect, preserve and provide access to network-based library collections

Create and improve library services and space to meet the needs of faculty, staff and students

Collaborate and partner with faculty to create an effective and lifelong learning environment for students

Recruit, train and retain a well-qualified, motivated and diverse workforce


Embedded Librarians Project focuses on three of the strategic directions

Create and improve library services and space to meet the needs of faculty, staff and students

Embodies the needs of the faculty and student

Librarian embedded as teaching assistants and readily available to assist students and faculty

Collaborate and partner with faculty to create an effective and lifelong learning environment for students

Student enhances informational skills and research techniques

Skills retained as lifelong skill to be utilized in future learning environments


Embedded Librarians Project focuses on three of the strategic directions

Recruit, train and retain a well-qualified, motivated and diverse workforce

Acknowledges the challenges and demands of current and future academic programs and information technologies of the University

Librarians are constantly upgrading professional skills to meet

technological changes implemented at Tuskegee University

Collaboration between librarians to assist faculty and students via Blackboard


Project Goal and Objectives

Tuskegee University Libraries will increase awareness, knowledge and utilization levels of University faculty, staff and students by integrating embedded librarians into online instruction via Blackboard.

Objective 1: To establish better collaboration between faculty and librarians.

Objective 2: To increase visibility of librarians as research providers.

Objective 3: To direct students to appropriate resources for their assignments.

Objective 4: To improve information literacy skills.

Objective 5: To assist faculty with teaching assignments.


Project ReviewImplementation of Embedded Librarian Project

Two librarians attend Blackboard Workshop facilitated by e-Learning Coordinator

Explore ways to provide additional library services to students

Course instructions and assignments posted via Blackboard

Librarians embedded as teaching assistants

Embedded in Social Work 236 – Human Behavior and Social Environment


Instructional Process via Blackboard

Research assignment given to students and requires research skills

Library link on first page of course section

Librarians listed as teaching assistants

Students ask questions via Discussion Board

Ask a Librarian- librarians provide instructional comments at point of contact with students

Professional and credible resources support student assignment

Interactive learning between students and librarians


Blackboard TrainingStakeholders

E-Learning Coordinator conducted workshop to train librarians on the usage of Blackboard

Project readily accepted by stakeholders

Librarians

Faculty

Students

Staff

Campus Technology

University


Breakthroughs and Innovations

Tuskegee University’s Planning, Implementation, Evaluation and Improvement Reports (PIEI) utilized the Embedded Librarians Project as a model

Collaboration between instructor for Social Work 236 and librarians

Librarians embedded as teaching assistants

Ask a Librarian link incorporated into online course via Blackboard

Students have direct contact with students via discussion board

Students are directed to appropriate and professional informational resources

Interactive learning between students and librarians



Improvement in Institutional Quality (change)

Student comfort zone increases - able to seek help from librarian

Collaboration between librarians and faculty

Alternative method of meeting informational needs of students

Information Literacy enhanced

24 hour access to Ask a Librarian



Embedded Librarian concept presented to:

School of Education

Dean, Associate Dean and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher

Education (NCATE) representative

School of Nursing library liaison

Freshman Orientation Coordinator


Application of LearningBenefits for Social Work 236

Students learn how to locate credible and professional sources

Students spend time thoughtfully researching their topics – last minute research reduced

Students produced quality research documents

Students realize their chosen major – social work- is knowledge based

As professional social workers – need to learn where to locate information


Benefits for Librarians

Direct access to student assignments

Dialogue with instructor and students as it relates to understanding assignments

Enhances perception of libraries and librarians as a viable source of information

Students are comfortable in contacting librarians for assistance

Class assignments based on resources available in library

Understand class assignments

Public relations via Blackboard


Benefit for Students

Students expanded their knowledge…

Library resources

Library collections and services

Availability of appropriate information resources

Usage of library’s online catalog

Conduct a search in locating resources in the library’s collections I

Selection of appropriate databases for research topics

Proper method to cite electronic and print resources

Evaluate information found on the web and plagiarism


Benefits for Tuskegee University

Embedded Librarian Project used as a model in PIEI

Improvement in Institutional Quality

Increased Student Retention

Improvement in Information Literary


THANK YOU

Tuskegee University Librarieswww.tuskegee.edu/libraries

Tuskegee, AL

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