Noteworthy Teaching,
Learning, and Space Initiatives
in ARL Libraries
Early Findings from a 2008 Survey
Crit Stuart, ARL Program Director for
Research, Teaching, and Learning
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Purpose of the Survey
Comprehensively record innovations
and noteworthy experiments in:
1. teaching efforts
2. virtual resource development, and
3. productivity spaces …
to portray to the community.
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Purpose of the Survey
New and noteworthy:
“fresh direction or previously untried at your library
but promising” and
“significant, and perhaps modeled on and modified
from another library’s efforts.”
Identifying:
–
–
–
–
scalable models
trends
assessment efforts
goals / aspirations / influences
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Responses to Survey
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Responses to Survey
Part 1: “Information literacy / instruction”
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Themes”
Campus collaborations:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
education technologists
CETL / CITL
information technology
writing programs
academic assessment office
freshman experience
academic departments & colleges
library special collections
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Themes”
Targeted at:
–
–
–
–
–
engage-able classes
freshmen
comprehensively across undergraduate cycle
graduate students (limited)
faculty (limited)
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Themes”
Framed as either:
• “formal” -- aspects of a course /
curriculum
• “informal” (virtual) -- serendipitous
engagement / as needed
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Themes”
Enabling technologies:
–
–
–
–
–
–
podcasts
Camtasia
videos
wikis, blogs
Second Life, Face Book
“quick bites” … trend to create resources that
don’t bore or lose audience
– “ready made” resources that can be tailored
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Themes”
Embracing new competencies:
– research methodologies
• undergraduate
• graduate (limited)
–
–
–
–
–
–
oral presentations
writing proficiency
new forms of scholarship
multimedia
data / GIS
ethics / personal accountability
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Themes”
Staffing experiments:
– shift to new pedagogies to increase learning:
• less “talking head”
• student peer tutoring
• team teaching with academic faculty
– ambitious learning outcomes:
•
•
•
•
critical thinking
research methodologies
fluencies
knowledge creation
– ramped-up pedagogical skills and technology
training for instruction librarians
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
TRENDS
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: videos and podcasts to assist
searching catalog and databases.
– short duration
– “help at hand” when stuck
– useful for large lectures
– familiar media
– basic-to-deep coverage of a topic, skill, or
resource
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Camtasia
– embedded guides and instruction in course
management systems (screen capture, with
voice-over, video, text options).
– often partner with academic faculty and
TAs
– appears at critical points in the course
==> early use of pre- and post-assessments
to determine efficacy; monitoring “hits” of
resources
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: personal librarian
• follows a class throughout 4 years; or
• focuses on freshmen in basic writing course; or
• “parents’ librarian”
– timely postings
– to promote library use through a personal
assistant; heighten awareness
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Popularizing Special Collections
• digitize collections for Website
• example of grads pairing w/ undergrads to
conduct research
• stimulates critical thinking on a topic using
primary materials
• sometimes creates new knowledge
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Popularizing Special Collections
(specific example)
Library prepares elaborate digital resources of
intriguing collections for a course.
– primary source materials (manuscripts and oral
histories)
– recordings; newspaper troves; photographs
– bibliographies of books, articles, and other
resources on the topic
==> to stimulate deep & critical thinking on a topic
==> to expose Special Collection resources
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trendss”
Topic: Popularizing Special Collections
(specific example)
Librarians and academic faculty use previously unresearched 19th C. letters to introduce research
methods. Experiment began w/ honors class.
– undergrads paired with mentoring grads
– students research context for the letters and
discuss their significance; gain subject expertise
– expanding to more undergraduate programs
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Research and information competencies
– working with freshman via composition courses
– pacing info literacy throughout 4-year curricula,
with increasingly sophisticated elements
– $$ to recruit academic faculty to come onboard
– scaled to department, college, or campus (but
challenged by large classes)
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Academic integrity
– targets freshmen, entire undergraduate
body, even grad students
– addresses plagiarism, copyright, open
access, compliance with university policy
– embedded in freshman seminar as a
segment
– module persists on library Web page
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Wikis
. . . frequently linked to specific courses
–
–
–
–
–
resources, tutorials
training & workshop information
exercises
subject specific portals
links to blogs on latest resources, current
awareness, and new tools
– provides a contemporary venue for learning
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Digital collections promotion and use
– promoting digital repositories (leased, purchased,
locally-created) to faculty for incorporation into
class presentations
– greatly accelerated use of digital stores
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Multimedia training for faculty
–
–
–
–
providing faculty with skills to critique new media
capturing & editing skills
serving courses with strong media components
influencing course outcomes / outputs
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Library instruction built on research problems
– instructor as facilitator
– students tasked to “think, pair, share” (peer-topeer instruction)
– requiring librarians to be adept in learning
pedagogies; to engage with academic faculty;
and to become involved with curricula
committees
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: librarian supports student e-journals
– librarian liaison to editors & writers
– helps them choose scholarly resources,
and to write “with appropriate style”
– copy-edits articles
– creates Web page with links to style
guides and other resources
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Faculty emersion event
– collaboration between library & other units
– weeklong series at end of year
– hands-on skills building for faculty and
instructors (multimedia, podcasting, social
networking in CMS, Microsoft Office, etc.)
– reviewing T & L technology
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Faculty & grad CMS support
Tutorials and resource materials for faculty
and graduate students to
– enrich course management sites
– create pedagogically appropriate
assignments.
==> librarians as education technologists
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Graduate student competencies
Information competency seminars for
graduate students covering:
–
–
–
–
research methodologies
print & digital resources
in-depth hands-on training
exposure to data mining tools
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Interdisciplinary initiative
Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences targets student
research competencies by engaging academic
faculty, writing specialists, librarians, data
specialists.
– understand interdisciplinary creation of knowledge
– develop critical thinking, writing, self-reflection
– frequent meetings among developers in a
“community of practice”
==> in order to produce “original knowledge”
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Celebrating creativity
– prize for best undergraduate research paper
– “Digital Information Literacy” contest created
by students, sponsored by library
– screens highlighting student & faculty works
– monthly lectures from outstanding faculty
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Information literacy & instruction
“Trends”
Topic: Parents of freshmen
Several flavors, including …
– brief, hands-on workshop for parents
– remember this lecture … “When your son or
daughter turns to you for help, send them to us.”
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Response to Survey
Part 2: “Physical spaces & programming”
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Themes”
Targets:
– undergraduates
– grad students (emerging trend)
– faculty (emerging trend)
==> SPEC kit in 2009 on graduate and faculty spaces
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Themes”
Collaborations:
– IT, ET
– CETL / CITL
– food services
– tutoring / mentoring / help sessions
– writing
– advising & counseling
– faculty
==> creating the “one stop shop”
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Themes”
Enabling technologies:
– individual and group computers
– multimedia capacities
– touch screens, large display capacities
– team software
– myriad devices to loan
– variously scaled printing, format conversion
==> sandboxing, testing new tools and software,
experimentation
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Themes”
Ambiance:
–
–
–
–
–
influenced by customer expectation & input
dynamic and quiet zones
malleable settings; ergo-smart furnishings
multi-purposed spaces (co-controlled by users)
emphasis on light, art, displays, current
awareness, “celebrating who we are”
– persistence of good food & drink
– ability to meet & greet; see & be seen
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Themes”
Changes to the organization:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
consolidation of service points
emergence of new positions
rise of assessment, metrics, on-going analysis
collaborations outside the library
formalized connections with clients & partners
sandboxing / experimentation / flux
reconsideration of primary vs. secondary real estate
preoccupation with user success & learning outcomes
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Ideals”
Topic: Faculty & grad commons
– influenced by success with student commons
– combining previously scattered faculty-support
services in one site
– sometimes with full production facilities; growing
focus on learning object creation, sandboxes to
test latest equipment & software
– training in basic and multimedia software;
enhancing pedagogy, writing, media fluencies;
creating of knowledge & new publishing forms
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Ideals”
Topic: Faculty / grad commons
– training in: CMS, digital & multimedia, new
pedagogy, info lit constructs tied to course
learning outcomes
– quiet spaces as well as mixing grounds
– exhibits, presentations, special events
– kitchens for catering & special functions
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Ideals”
Topic: Student commons:
– supporting rich suites of technologies
– partnerships with essential student support
services
– 24 hour mixing grounds reflecting student life,
celebrating their creativity, hosting “cool” events,
portraying both hard work and down time
– gradually informed by ongoing assessment (but
difficulty assessing learning outcomes)
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Influencing space design”
Most cited in the survey:
8-10 institutions are currently influencing
new spaces and programming. Most cited in
the survey were:
1. GT
2. Emory (Cox Hall & Woodruff classrooms)
3. others in southeast: UNC & NC State
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
EXAMPLES
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Faculty / grad examples”
Ohio University faculty commons
– Convenes 3 key offices for faculty development
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Center for Academic Technology
Center for Teaching Excellence
Center for Writing Excellence
Media Production
Library collection development
Smart conference rooms
Multimedia; audio / video editing
Casual meeting / mixing space & hosting events
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Faculty / grad examples”
University of Washington Health Sciences -Graduate & professional student commons
– Classrooms w/ multimedia & networked resources, support in
pedagogy and technology use
– drop-in computer lab w/ support for complex presentations
– equipment and software requested by students
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Faculty / grad examples”
Columbia -- Baker Library
Digital Social Sciences Center
– collaborative stations to support study & research
in social sciences
– core of subject specialists w/ support in research
& technology
– presentation practice
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Faculty / grad examples”
Columbia -- Baker Library -- Digital Humanities Ctr (2009)
– identification of & access to all formats of resources in
humanities
– assistance with & training in extraction of data
– creation of new digital content (transformation and original
production)
– editing & mark-up of digital content
– mining & analysis: close study, annotation, analysis of digital
– incorporating digital objects into writing & other scholarship
– assembling & managing personal info collections
– collaboration on instruction and research activities
– assist with new forms of publishing
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Faculty / grad examples”
University of Western Ontario
Teaching Support Centre (w/ library info lit
coordinator, CITL, IT)
– new pedagogy assistance
– showcase classrooms
– implementing University-wide priority of info literacy
w/ heavy inclusion of librarians in curriculum
development
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Faculty / grad examples”
UNC Collaboratory
– managed by instructional design & technology
librarian; supplemented by graduate assistants
– assists faculty and instructors with CMS
– unites students and faculty on digitization and
Web development projects
UNC Digital Media Lab
– audio and video editing assistance
– film production
– online tutorials and personal classes
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Undergrad, grad, faculty examples”
U Penn Weigle Information Commons
Library & School of Arts & Sciences; with
support from Communications, Writing, CETL
– focus on group learning
– heavy emphasis on multimedia, for individuals
and entire classes
– exceptional training tracks for faculty &
for students
– support for research, project management,
writing, presentation, “entire creative process”
– faculty training in new pedagogies & fluencies
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Undergrad examples”
University of Minnesota
SMART Learning commons -- many campus units
involved
– peer assistance in gateway courses & skills (math,
sciences, stats, economics, writing, library research)
– agile response to emerging, high-impact courses
– expert peers conduct group study experiences
– (coming) peer assistance with research techniques
– technology & skills development workshops
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Undergrad examples”
USC Leavy Library
–
–
–
–
given over to undergraduates as their ground
IT help with podcast studios and video conf’ing
librarian specialists in undergraduate projects
basic productivity, statistical, multimedia support;
walk-in center for personal computer assistance
– group & individual study spaces
– current events / hot topics area for papers
– great indoor / outdoor ambiance
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Undergrad examples”
Cornell Mann Library
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
for “high-energy” group work
interactive, smart screens with team technology
mobile technology workstation carts
moveable furniture
privacy screens, tackboards, easels
separate area for quiet, grad student retreat
showcase for artwork and multimedia coursework,
supporting annual student expo fair
==> designed by students & faculty of Communications and
Design & Environ Analysis Departments
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Undergrad examples”
University of Tennessee commons
Library & OIT partner w/ Writing Center, Stat Lab, tutoring &
faculty-lead study groups
• multimedia, media conversion, & faculty digitizing
• full suite of library services
• group presentation & presentation practice rooms
• CMS support
• one-stop IT support for trouble-shooting and
computer repair
• mobile and fixed furnishings
• room converts to faculty lounge and reception area
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Physical spaces & programming
“Undergrad examples”
University of Guelph Learning Commons
A learning support model centered on “peer helper”
programs, with trained students helping others
through writing assistance, study workshops,
learning sessions, and technology training.
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Responses to Survey
Part 3 “Virtual resources / spaces”
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Virtual Resources
“Themes”
Topic: Library presence in CMS
Strong movement in this direction, where
we see elaboration of information
resources to complement a course,
citation management tools, reference
sources, IM / email contact w/ subject
librarian, basic research methodology
in the discipline, course reserves links
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Virtual Resources
“Themes”
Topic: Off-the-shelf virtual guides
– Libguides.com (most frequently cited)
– templates for easy customization & faster
implementation
– move away from homegrown print and
virtual guides
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Virtual Resources
“Themes”
Topic: Blogs
• for library resources & services
• for campuses, with library a collaborator
in setting up & promoting
• a tool to foster community, provide
deeper engagement in curriculum
• requires serious commitment by blogger
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Virtual Resources
“Themes”
Topic: Wikis
• emerging as robust, rich, and interactive
alternative to pathfinders and subject
guides
• potential for student comments,
contributions … “community platform”
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Virtual Resources
“Themes”
Topic: Supporting faculty in digital resource
creation
• inducements may include: technology
support, grants, pedagogical support
• to achieve: data visualization, object creation,
new scholarship, experimentation
• predicated on: support for new forms of
research, innovative resource or improved
‘traditional’ resource, relevance to curriculum
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Virtual Resources
“Themes”
Topic: Enhancing the search experience (Endeca,
Lens, etc.)
• customized subsets of library resources by
discipline / subject … or targeted to specific
audiences
• tag clouds, relevancy indicators, resource reviews
• convenient links to ordering via ILL or consortial
holdings, chat, etc.
• enhanced searching of image databases
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Virtual Resources
“Themes”
Topic: inhabiting virtual spaces
• Facebook w/ descriptions & links to lib
• Second Life … info assistance; conducting
classes w/ academic faculty; sandbox /
brainstorm space for student projects
• for announcements, info resources, research
help … going where students are
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Virtual Resources
“Themes”
Topic: Prototyping physical library
spaces in virtual environments
• portraying renovations in Second Life
or other virtual spaces
• inviting revisions / alternative models
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org
Virtual Resources
“Themes”
Topic: suffusing virtual space w/ resources &
data sets
• digitizing rare resources, creating / supplying
data sets … for new knowledge creation & to
substantiate analysis with data visualization
• collecting licensed and community-created
GIS data, with tools for exploration &
conducting research
Association of Research Libraries
www.arl.org