National Trends in Adoption of Information Literacy Standards versus Framework and Impact on Instructional Best Practices: 2005-2015

This session will present results of a national study investigating the ways in which liaison librarians are incorporating the new Framework into their information literacy curriculum, compared with early adoption of the Standards fourteen years ago. The presentation explores connections between adoption of the Framework, assessment, and collaboration with teaching faculty. Despite the controversy surrounding the Framework, data show that librarians are adopting the Framework at a significantly faster pace than they did the Standards

The Drama of Information Literacy: Collaborating to Incorporate Information Literacy Into a Theatre History Curriculum

Information literacy (IL) has been studied extensively, but little has been written about IL applied to the study of theatre. This study addresses that lacuna by evaluating the success of a librarian-faculty collaboration to integrate IL throughout a year-long course of study. Using a pre- and post-test methodology, researchers assessed students’ knowledge on a range of IL concepts. The results were used to modify the IL curriculum to place greater emphasis on IL concepts that students struggled with, and to de-emphasize IL concepts for which students demonstrated adequate incoming knowledge. This paper will provide recommendations for librarians and other instructors seeking to integrate IL concepts into a theatre (or other performing arts) curriculum

Building Bridges: Restructuring Online Library Tutorials to Span the Generation Gap and Meet the Needs of Millennial Students

This session will discuss the learning characteristics of Millennial students, and how online library tutorials can produce successful information literacy learning outcomes for this unique generation. In 2009, we transformed Searchpath , the 2003 PRIMO award-winning online library tutorial, into ResearchPath, a dynamic audio, visual and kinesthetic experience with the Millennial user in mind. We will share the results of the research we conducted at Western Michigan University Libraries to measure the success of our intended learning outcomes, as well as the qualitative user feedback which we gathered. We will recommend strategies for others interested in developing online tutorials geared towards building bridges to the unique learning styles of Millennial learners

New Directions: Faculty Use of Technology and Attitudes Toward Library Research Instruction

The authors conducted a survey of the faculty at Western Michigan University to determine how faculty are using technology in instruction and how they perceive library research instruction, in order to determine how librarians can successfully incorporate technology into library instruction. Primary Research Questions How are faculty using technology in instruction? How do faculty perceive library research instruction? How can librarians incorporate technology into library instruction

Collaboration: Meeting the Library User's Needs in a Digital Environment

Michael Whang is the Head of Web & Internet Services, Western Michigan University Libraries, Kalamazoo, Michigan. His work involves designing and developing web interfaces, conducting usability studies and focus groups, producing screencasts and online tutorials, and investigating web metrics and emerging technologies. George Boston is an Electronic Resources Librarian at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. Julie Hayward is a Resource Sharing Assistant at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. Dianna Sachs is an Instructional Services Librarian at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.Providing access to electronic resources entails several factors. After the decision to provide an electronic resource is made and the license agreement is negotiated and signed, the technical aspects of providing access must be assured. The electronic resource can be made available through the local OPAC and provisions can be made for use through other venues, such as a local web page or link resolver. It must be correctly configured to work with other resources. These may include any remote authentication protocols, local document delivery software, and other applicable resources. These and other customizations may be made through a resource’s administrative module or by correspondence with the provider. Critical to the successful access is the ongoing maintenance required to keep up to date with added features and technical enhancements within the resource. The presentation of electronic resources on a library’s website and the marketing and promotion of resources in the world of “Google” is vital in the library’s efforts to provide access to resources obtained for the user’s benefit. Usability studies, Lib-Qual?, participation in institution portals, and surveys are among the studies used to determine how to effectively reach users. The use of website “banners” to focus attention on resources and services, redesign efforts based on user studies, and flexibility in meeting and adapting to the rapidly changing technologies are guided by the Web Librarian. Making electronic resources available to library users is only worthwhile if they are able to use those resources efficiently and effectively. While traditional library instruction methods can be useful for teaching about electronic resources, many patrons are either unable or unwilling to participate in an instruction session. Just as we use technology to make electronic resources available to our patrons no matter where they are physically, we also need to use technology to provide instruction on how to best use those resources. Some methods of instruction include creating screen casts and other online tutorials, blogs, or wiki pages, integrating library instruction into online courses (using Blackboard or WebCT), and chat reference. The demand for faster service by library patrons has exploded within the last decade. Patrons want immediate access to electronic resources available worldwide. With the implementation of ILLiad, Ariel, and Docutek, the Resource Sharing Center at Western Michigan University focuses on meeting the needs of our academic community for materials not readily available to them. Technological advances have changed the structure of resource sharing. The electronic environment has provided immediate access to our users. From placing a request at anytime to viewing articles electronically, faculty, students, and staff can better meet the expectations for educational achievement and research. Additional services, such as document delivery for faculty and the provision of pdf copies from off-site storage material have been enabled with the efficiencies resulting from technical advancements. The necessity for team approach is never more apparent than when viewing the interaction needed to address all aspects of electronic resources and libraries in serving our patrons