Introduction to Library Instruction in the ULS Robin Kear, MLIS Nazarbayev University Library April 2012
Introduction to Library Instruction in the ULS
Robin Kear, MLIS
Nazarbayev University Library
April 2012
What is Library Instruction?
Demystifies library
Empowers students
Generates PR/Good will
Supports mission of the library
Promotes Information Literacy
Set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.“
ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education
http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency
Bibliographic Instruction vs. Information Literacy
ULS has a long history of library instruction
Both traditional and innovative
Bibliographic Instruction vs. Information Literacy
“Information literacy involves mastery over a complex set of concepts and skills and their interplay…knowledge of library skills is an integral part of information literacy… serving as tools for realizing its higher goals.”
Sharma, Shikha. “From Chaos to Clarity.” Journal of Academic Librarianship 33.1 (Jan. 2007): 127-35.
A Few Differences BetweenBI and IL
Responsibility is librarian-controlled
Responsibility is collaborative
Content is focused on tools and search interfaces
Content is focused on overreaching concepts, critical thinking processes, and thinking standards
Assessment is focused on limited evaluations and skill-based measurements
Assessment is focused on competencies and standards as yardsticks for outcomes based approaches
Our Reasons for Information Literacy Initiative
Assessment requirements at the University of Pittsburgh
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
ARL’s call to transform research, teaching and learning
ULS Long Range Goal
Information Literacy Objectives1. Develop a Research Strategy2. Select Finding Tools3. Search4. Use Finding Tool Features5. Retrieve Sources6. Evaluate Sources7. Document Sources8. Understand Economic, Legal, and Social Issues
-Modeled on the SAILS Skill Sets
Role of ULS In Information Literacy Assessment
Online information literacy test 45 questions dealing with a range of information seeking skills Benchmark freshman IL skills Assess senior class skills
The Goal: Better IL Integration at the Course/Program Level
Embed into the research process of the course or programCollaborate with the instructor(s) or program director(s)Always tie instruction to the assignment
Various, Simultaneous IL Components
One-shot classes as library/searching orientations
One-on-one instruction
Embedded librarians
Classroom integrated tools
Integrated discipline/IL goals and rubrics
Curriculum mapping
Embedded Librarian
Integral part of the whole
Part of the online classroom environment
ENGLIT 0500: Intro to Critical Reading
Collaboration with a Pitt English Professor Tiered assignment I teach just before the annotated bibliography
is due Part of their CourseWeb Review annotated bibliographies
Levels for Courseware Tools
Macro Level Library Courseware Involvement, entails working with the developers and programmers of courseware to integrating into the software a generic, global library presence.
Micro Level Library Courseware Involvement, involves individual librarians teaming up with faculty as consultants to participate in developing a customized library instruction and resource component for the courseware enhanced courses.
Ideas for Courseware
Create downloadable items that can be imported into online courses
Remind faculty of virtual reference desks and library web presence
Offer to create and embed discipline specific IL rubrics
“Librarian Role”
The Reality
The research process is more difficult with information abundance:
•Technology issues now complicate research concepts further•Too many information choices, not enough orientation
The Assignment
Write a 5-7 page paper on the topic of your choice.Use scholarly sources.Due the last day of the semester.
Things students feel…AnxietyAnnoyanceStressOverwhelmedFearConfusionExcitementDreadUncertainty
Things students say…
“I have no idea [about the dates or details of my topic].” I can’t find this article in the catalog. This magazine isn’t online so I can’t get it. There is not enough on my topic, I have to change it. I don’t know what a primary or secondary source is. My professor said to use scholarly sources…what are those? Am I cheating if I use someone else’s bibliography?
(Mary George, Admissions of Another Sort)
Things students do… Procrastinate (80% of Head &Elison’s 86 students
procrastinate on 80% of their research assignments) Spend 3 hours on research, 2 hours
writing Go to Wikipedia for context and to pre-
search (8 out of 11) Go to the Internet or databases for
sources Do “good enough” research to get by
The Result
Papers aren’t as good as they could be Research is associated with negativityHard for library to fulfill requests (reference and collection related) when students procrastinate
Goal: Better Research Assignments
Process over Product Tiered Paper Approach Suggest Alternatives to the 5-7 Pages
Annotated bibliography Literature review Bibliographic essay Evaluate and edit a Wikipedia entry Grant or research proposal
Goal: Tiered Research Assignments
Thesis/topic meetingResearch log/journalPreliminary bibliographyOutline/IntroductionMid-point checkDraftsFinal Paper
Goal: Embed Smaller Research Components
Explain Citations Explain Source Types Suggest Disciplinary Sources Explain Terminology (primary vs. secondary)
Explain Information Cycle
Things students need… Collaboration between faculty and librarians Collaboration between academic departments and
libraries Connection between research-paper process and
everyday life research Context: background, vocabulary, expectation,
gathering resources Librarian as informational coach Frequent explanations of research (IL) concepts
across courses and years from faculty and librarians
The Result: Ubiquity
Research is not disconnected from the classroom
Research is not an outside skill Research skills are necessary for all
their work
LibGuide Companions
Information Literacy Fundamentals http://pitt.libguides.com/infolit
Information Literacy Tools http://pitt.libguides.com/infolittools
Any Questions?