Information literacy skills for preservice teachers: do they transfer to K-12 classrooms?

This study surveyed current education majors (n=70) in two Kansas universities to gain a perspective on their understanding of Information Literacy (IL) concepts and skills and to learn whether they anticipated teaching such concepts to their future K‐12 students. School Media Specialists in the state were also surveyed (n=85) and asked to share their observations of teachers new to the profession as to their understanding and practice of IL. Results indicate many education students were not familiar with IL concept terminology and at least some new teachers in the state do not have a clear understanding or priority for teaching such skills in K‐12 classrooms

The Evolving Research Library: Responsive Organizational Change

Citation: Goetsch, L., Haddock, M., & Stockham, M. (2017). The Evolving Research Library: Responsive Organizational Change. Library Leadership & Management, 31(2).Because of the pace of change in library environments, the organization is continuously evolving and the days of having a structure etched in stone are gone. Kansas State University Libraries engaged in a major organizational restructuring in 2009-2010 and, based on studies and assessments, two smaller but significant changes again in 2015. To assess and redesign the organization, analysis of new and emerging work, staff resources, budget, and space were critical, but the important constant was library users and meeting their needs. This article outlines development of the structural reorganizations, issues encountered during the changes, examples of task force work, lessons learned about process and outcomes, and resulting changes that were made

Departmental leadership: Engaging others in mentorship

This paper presents one chairperson’s experience using a formalized, structured mentoring program to foster success of newly-hired, pre-tenured faculty. A description of the specific model is offered, as well as an outline of benefits, challenges, and suggestions for department heads interested in starting a similar program

Revitalizing a mentoring program for academic librarians

Many new employees naturally seek out coworkers and informal advisors as a way of learning about their new positions and organizations. However, a formalized mentoring program is a way to meet the needs of new employees and effectively impart the information and advice in a coordinated, ongoing process. This paper focuses on the process of revitalizing a formalized mentoring program in an academic library. Included are details of the process developed by one institution, an extensive bibliography, sample checklists, and assessment tools