There is plenty of research to demonstrate students’ research skills increase when faculty collaborate with librarians to foster IL competencies (Junisbai, Lowe, & Tagge. 2016). Persistence, willingness to participate in university conversations, flexibility, and communication are key in developing an Information Literacy program that will be embraced by faculty and university alike.
What are we doing well?
69.9% of Faculty have requested a librarian to provided instruction on Information literacy or research.
50% of the Faculty collaborating with librarians to create a course or program-specific Library Guide (LibGuides).
What can we improve on?
41.8% of the Faculty have NOT collaborated with librarians to create a course or program-specific Library Guide (LibGuides).
8.2% did even know it was an option to work with faculty on course guides
Comments in response to "Discuss any ways you would like to collaborate with library staff at your institution that you are currently not doing" indicate that Faculty desire more collaboration:
"Library staff should be invited to department school meetings once each semester to discuss faculty library needs for classes and research."
"Wish I had more time to!"
Very helpful, but I wish the library had a bigger staff.
". . . in the future, more discussions on long-term strategies of collaboration and of the philosophy of the library in its work"
What surprises us?
It shouldn't surprise us, but its always good to hear how much librarians are appreciated by the classroom faculty.
"He is a strong advocate for linking instruction with the library and we have such great resources to do that. ___ also thinks creatively and effectively about what an academic library's function is."
"Excellent training provided by library staff!"
"Faculty/library collaboration has been fantastic"
"He is a great support to students and faculty"
"Her work with the students is outstanding and greatly enhances the learning."
"I would say that our library staff are very proactive about seeking involvement in our classes, which is much appreciated"
"My course assignments are developed with the assistance of librarian. It gets better every years."
"Librarians have contributed substantially to both survey and upper-level courses, both in organizing online presentations and highlighting archival material."
Key Findings
Literature Review
10(2). https://doi.org/10.15760/comminfolit.2016.10.2.31
1. Study the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) for your college/university or academic program. Identify where the ACRL Framework for IL naturally fit.
2. Use curriculum mapping to identify where instruction and the frames easily fit within a program.
See Webinar, ACRL IS M&LC: Creating the big picture: Improving instruction programming through curriculum mapping
3. Partner with classroom faculty with whom you already have a good relationship. Ask questions. What are the research / IL needs evident in their students? What are some ways for a librarian to meet that need? Listen for partnering opportunities that benefit the library, faculty member, program, and student learning. Be willing to be flexible.
4. Start small and allow successes to create growth.
1. Communicate.
2. Align the Information literacy program with learning outcomes for the College/University, School, or degree program.
3. Support your Information Literacy plan with data
4. Be open to using multiple methods: LibGuides, LMS Embedding, in-person/virtual consultations, synchronous sessions, online tutorials, in person instruction/workshops.
5. Include assessment from the beginning
6. Be vigilant – look for opportunities and flexible
7. Remember collaboration is a two-way street
8. Communicate