The Integration of Embedded Librarians at Tuskegee University Juanita M. Roberts Director Library Services Ford Motor Company Library/Learning Resources Center Margaret K. Alexander Librarian T. S. Williams Veterinary Medical Library Tuskegee University Presentation LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE April 4-8, 2008 Morehouse College of Leadership Atlanta, Georgia

Tuskegee University Libraries The Integration of Embedded Librarians at Tuskegee University Tuskegee University’s Library Services…  Propose to explore and create collaborative ways to establish better collaboration between faculty and librarians by increasing visibility of librarians and libraries as research providers.  This collaborative effort is seen as a means of improving the informational literacy skills of Tuskegee University students.  Librarians are embedded into the classroom environment to assist faculty with teaching assignments and research needs.  To accomplish this goal, three steps have been taken. Step One: Blackboard, a web-based course management system, was selected and reviewed by the E-Learning Coordinator and two librarians. Step Two: An essential component was to gain an understanding of the functionality and use of Blackboard at Tuskegee University. Step Three: Because the “buy in” of the librarians is vital to the success of this project, meetings were held to obtain their input and suggestions.  As a result, the integration of embedded librarians into Blackboard is being viewed as a success based on the feedback from the instructor, students and librarians.

Tuskegee University Libraries PRESENTATION OUTLINE  Definition of Blackboard  Tuskegee University Libraries Strategic Plan  Project Goal and Objectives  Project Review  Breakthroughs/Innovations  Application of Learnings  Summary

Tuskegee University Libraries Definition of Blackboard  Web-based course-management system  Enables faculty and students to participant in classes online or use online materials and activities  Instructors are able to provide class materials, handouts, discussion boards, chat rooms and online tests to students.

Tuskegee University Libraries Tuskegee University Libraries Strategic Plan  Fundamental purpose is to acquire, organize, preserve and disseminate information  Supports the educational program of the University  Prepares the student to function responsibly as an individual within society  Tuskegee University’s mission focuses on three special elements: Instruction, Research and Service  Committed to preserve past resources as well as addressing new technological advances within the diverse collections  Enhance vital skills of information literacy that form the foundation for lifelong learning within the student learning environment

Tuskegee University Libraries Strategic Directions  Collect, preserve and provide access to network-based library collections  Create and improve library services and space to meet the needs of faculty, staff and students  Collaborate and partner with faculty to create an effective and lifelong learning environment for students  Recruit, train and retain a well-qualified, motivated and diverse workforce

Tuskegee University Libraries Embedded Librarians Project focuses on three of the strategic directions  Create and improve library services and space to meet the needs of faculty, staff and students Embodies the needs of the faculty and student Librarian embedded as teaching assistants and readily available to assist students and faculty  Collaborate and partner with faculty to create an effective and lifelong learning environment for students Student enhances informational skills and research techniques Skills retained as lifelong skill to be utilized in future learning environments

Tuskegee University Libraries Embedded Librarians Project focuses on three of the strategic directions  Recruit, train and retain a well-qualified, motivated and diverse workforce Acknowledges the challenges and demands of current and future academic programs and information technologies of the University Librarians are constantly upgrading professional skills to meet technological changes implemented at Tuskegee University Collaboration between librarians to assist faculty and students via Blackboard

Tuskegee University Libraries Project Goal and Objectives Tuskegee University Libraries will increase awareness, knowledge and utilization levels of University faculty, staff and students by integrating embedded librarians into online instruction via Blackboard.  Objective 1: To establish better collaboration between faculty and librarians.  Objective 2: To increase visibility of librarians as research providers.  Objective 3: To direct students to appropriate resources for their assignments.  Objective 4: To improve information literacy skills.  Objective 5: To assist faculty with teaching assignments.

Tuskegee University Libraries Project Review Implementation of Embedded Librarian Project  Two librarians attend Blackboard Workshop facilitated by e-Learning Coordinator  Explore ways to provide additional library services to students  Course instructions and assignments posted via Blackboard  Librarians embedded as teaching assistants  Embedded in Social Work 236 – Human Behavior and Social Environment

Tuskegee University Libraries Instructional Process via Blackboard  Research assignment given to students and requires research skills  Library link on first page of course section  Librarians listed as teaching assistants  Students ask questions via Discussion Board  Ask a Librarian- librarians provide instructional comments at point of contact with students  Professional and credible resources support student assignment  Interactive learning between students and librarians

Tuskegee University Libraries Blackboard Training Stakeholders  E-Learning Coordinator conducted workshop to train librarians on the usage of Blackboard  Project readily accepted by stakeholders Librarians Faculty Students Staff Campus Technology University

Tuskegee University Libraries Breakthroughs and Innovations  Tuskegee University’s Planning, Implementation, Evaluation and Improvement Reports (PIEI) utilized the Embedded Librarians Project as a model  Collaboration between instructor for Social Work 236 and librarians  Librarians embedded as teaching assistants  Ask a Librarian link incorporated into online course via Blackboard  Students have direct contact with students via discussion board  Students are directed to appropriate and professional informational resources  Interactive learning between students and librarians

Tuskegee University Libraries Breakthroughs and Innovations  Improvement in Institutional Quality (change)  Student comfort zone increases - able to seek help from librarian  Collaboration between librarians and faculty  Alternative method of meeting informational needs of students  Information Literacy enhanced  24 hour access to Ask a Librarian

Tuskegee University Libraries Breakthroughs and Innovations Embedded Librarian concept presented to:  School of Education Dean, Associate Dean and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) representative  School of Nursing library liaison  Freshman Orientation Coordinator

Tuskegee University Libraries Application of Learning Benefits for Social Work 236  Students learn how to locate credible and professional sources  Students spend time thoughtfully researching their topics – last minute research reduced  Students produced quality research documents  Students realize their chosen major – social work- is knowledge based  As professional social workers – need to learn where to locate information

Tuskegee University Libraries Benefits for Librarians  Direct access to student assignments  Dialogue with instructor and students as it relates to understanding assignments  Enhances perception of libraries and librarians as a viable source of information  Students are comfortable in contacting librarians for assistance  Class assignments based on resources available in library  Understand class assignments  Public relations via Blackboard

Tuskegee University Libraries Benefit for Students Students expanded their knowledge…  Library resources  Library collections and services  Availability of appropriate information resources  Usage of library’s online catalog  Conduct a search in locating resources in the library’s collections I  Selection of appropriate databases for research topics  Proper method to cite electronic and print resources  Evaluate information found on the web and plagiarism

Tuskegee University Libraries Benefits for Tuskegee University  Embedded Librarian Project used as a model in PIEI  Improvement in Institutional Quality  Increased Student Retention  Improvement in Information Literary

Tuskegee University Libraries THANK YOU Tuskegee University Libraries Tuskegee, AL