More consistently exploiting the UWS Online
Library (stage 2)
A UWS Learning and Teaching
Action Plan (LTAP) 2006-2008 Project
Project leader: Liz Curach
Project report: Liz Curach
LTAP project no: P7140
Final Report P7140 Page 1 of 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Project aims: ............................................................................................................... 3
Actual outcomes achieved: ........................................................................................ 3
Evaluation of the project ............................................................................................ 4
Scalability of the project: ........................................................................................... 4
Sustainability of project: ............................................................................................ 4
Project implementation issues: ................................................................................. 5
Dissemination of project outcomes: ......................................................................... 5
Final Report P7140 Page 2 of 5
Project aims:
The project aimed to develop extensive targeted and discipline based programs to
raise awareness amongst academic staff of UWS’ extensive electronic scholarly
information collections and lead to appropriate incorporation of these in learning and
teaching programs.
The project built upon stage 1 of the original LTAP Making Known the Online Library
report which empirically identified a range of issues associated with limited
understanding and low use of e-collections in support of learning and teaching at UWS.
Stage 2 of the project focused on the design and delivery of extensive targeted and
discipline based remediation programmes across all Schools. The programme, in
addition to concentrating upon awareness raising, up skilling and training, addressed
perceived copyright related barriers.
A further critical component of the project was the pursuit, in collaboration with TDU, of
an active library (and /or e-resource) presence on WebCT, thus ensuring wide and
seamless access to appropriate scholarly resources.
In summary, the project aimed to:
o
Broaden knowledge of a wide range e-resources in specific
discipline areas;
o
Raise awareness of e-resources available for use in the preparation
of teaching programs;
o
Provide and promulgate training in the use and exploitation of ecollections;
o
Strengthen skill base of current liaison librarian network
o
Ensure, where appropriate, incorporation of scholarly readings in
LMS provided course / units
Actual outcomes achieved:
Presentations highlighting the library’s extensive collection of scholarly e-resources
were conducted across all colleges with over 400 academics participating. The
presentations focused on resources from a teaching perspective, identifying
comprehensiveness of body of research, range of resources included, anticipated
usage of resources – i.e. intended academic usage for teaching/lesson preparation or
research and appropriate target audiences etc. This aimed to address the significant
finding in Stage 1 ie limited knowledge of appropriate resources for undergraduate
teaching amongst academic staff and referral of undergraduate students to eg
sophisticated research resources.
With the exception of the disciplines of Law, Engineering and Biomedical Science,
representatives from all schools attended the presentations. Since the completion of
the project sessions have been scheduled for remaining schools.
Academic staff were receptive to the intention of the promotion of electronic resources
and gave unequivocal support to the inclusion of such resources in unit reading lists
and ensuring access via unit vUWS sites. Evidence of recent inclusion of electronic
resources, particularly e-book, is now emerging in readings for Spring Semester
demonstrating the success of the presentations particularly within the Schools of
Education, Social Sciences and Nursing.
Final Report P7140 Page 3 of 5
Great interest was also expressed in e-resources from a research perspective which
has since been programmed for attention by the Research Librarian.
Stage 1 of the project identified a need to enhance liaison librarian knowledge of
electronic resources. The library worked closely with major product vendors, ensuring
intensive knowledge development. All liaison librarians were thoroughly assessed with
the program now set to continue on an annual basis forming part of a wider and
targeted development program for liaison librarians. Ensuring visible and active Library
presence and access to e-resources from unit vUWS sites was not as straight forward
as had been hoped. Whilst links were created to the Library and various services they
were ‘buried’, with many academics creating their own links or simply not including a
library presence..
Through extensive internal library investigation and developmental work, the Library is
now able to create links to the Library, allowing direct searching from the vUWS site
and direct access to resources available in electronic format. Whilst Library access to
all vUWS sites has not been achievable, through the development of sound
relationships with academics, designer access has selectively been granted, ensuring
the ability to not only provide links to the Library but also upload readings.
Comments
Nil
Evaluation of the project
The success of this project will be evidenced through the following:
 a demonstrated increase in the uptake and use of a wide range of electronic
resources
 an increase in the inclusion of recommended appropriate electronic resources for
students by academics staff
 a visible library presence on 100% of unit vUWS sites;
 access to e-readings and resources 100% of all unit vUWS sites
 a formal process by which access is given to the Library to add links to resources
and work
with academics to ensure quality control of resources included eg ensuring all
links to e- resources are live, etc.
There is already evidence of an increased usage of e-resources both through vendor
supplied usage statistics and through inclusion of e-resources in lists of readings for
students.
To date, all of the above have been evidenced in some small way with the exception of
automatic access to vUWS sites. However, all academics approached have been
happy to provide access to their sites
Scalability of the project:
Nil comment.
Sustainability of project:
The library has a proven track record in successfully implementing and sustaining
services and resource access for the students and academic staff of the university.
Promoting e-resources and their subsequent inclusion in teaching preparation is a
Final Report P7140 Page 4 of 5
growing and sustainable service which will continue to be targeted by liaison librarians
for all schools.
Seamless inclusion and easy access to electronic resources in LMS is sustainable.
However, whilst permission needs be sought to access individual unit vUWS sites, the
sustainability of individual approach will be complicated. The library will continue to
work towards an active presence on 100% of unit sites with links to e-readings included
where appropriate.
Project implementation issues:
Broadening academic staff knowledge of a wide range of discipline specific eresources and their use in teaching program preparation was a primary objective of the
project. The logistics of reaching significant numbers of academics presented
difficulties. Whilst over 400 academics from across schools attended sessions, this by
no means represented the greater percentage of academic staff. Whilst various fora
were identified and attended by library staff, in many cases the numbers of academic
staff attending were minimal. The Library will continue to identify as many appropriate
fora as possible as well as continued liaison with individual academic.
Ensuring a visible Library presence on unit vUWS sites was also not without difficulty.
However, this has been addressed by the Library in the short term identifying unit
coordinators and actively seeking permission for access to every unit site, offering
assistance with uploading reading lists containing links to all e-resources where
appropriate.
Dissemination of project outcomes:
To date the library has identified a variety of fora at all levels to discuss the project
outcomes and ensuing services. Liaison librarians have commenced meetings with
academics as part of their liaison role with academics and more recently various
committees and groups such as the new teaching fellows have invited the Library to
discuss associated services and resources.
Other comments
nil
Final Report P7140 Page 5 of 5