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?