6 research outputs found
Librarian as Researcher
In this webinar, four Institute for Research Design in Librarianship (IRDL) scholars shared how their research projects have developed over time, the IRDL application process, and how participants can also embrace the Librarian as Researcher role. This session reviewed the IRDL 2017 call for applications, and discussed how librarians with a passion for research and a desire to improve their research skills may utilize IRDL
Poster: Challenges of a Distributed Learning Library System
Objectives: Health sciences librarians face increasing complexity when serving innovative health science programs with multiple campuses and distributed community-based and academic partners. This paper examines the challenges faced by these librarians as they work to coordinate services and meet user needs.
Methods: Librarians based on multiple campuses took a self-directed approach to better understand the needs of evolving distributed health science programs at their institution, using methods based on organizational information theory and team sensemaking. During six in-person and virtual meetings over three months, the librarians engaged in comparative discourse, examining the unique aspects of their library settings, collection practices and the specific health sciences program populations they serve. The librarians identified where systems are consistent, where workflows have been adjusted to meet local needs, and where further studies are needed.
Results: Analysis of discussions identified seven challenge areas: 1) reference services, 2) instruction, 3) management, 4) communication, 5) collections, 6) community outreach, and 7) library systems. Using these challenge areas, the librarians identified seven potential strategies to provide a more helpful and seamless experience for library users: 1) customize reference services, 2) engage in intentional communication, 3) focus limited budgets on resources that support multiple groups, 4) understand how library materials are currently being used, 5) understand how library materials will be used in the future, 6) work with library systems, and 7) network with librarians both on and off campus.
Conclusions: As a result of this comparative exploration of library services in a distributed learning library system, the health science librarians learned that differing technology systems, collection philosophies, service policies, outreach needs, and budgets contribute to the complexity of coordinating services. The librarians will continue to take a team-based approach to addressing issues and implementing new programs and services, with emphasis on research, scholarship, and evidence-based solutions to address the libraries’ growing needs.
Keywords: Distributed learning, academic partnerships, organizational study, multi-campus institution, team-based librarianshi
Providing Health Sciences Services in a Joint-Use Distributed Learning Library System: An Organizational Case Study
The purpose of this organizational case study is to describe the complexities librarians face when serving a multi-campus institution that supports both a joint-use library and expanding health sciences academic partnerships. In a system without a centralized health science library administration, liaison librarians are identifying dispersed programs and user groups and collaborating to define their unique service and outreach needs within a larger land-grant university. Using a team-based approach, health sciences librarians are communicating to integrate research and teaching support, systems differences across dispersed campuses, and future needs of a new community-based medical program
Recommended from our members
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training: A Review of Literature and Implication for Nursing Education and Service to Rural Communities
Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) play a critical role in providing quality care to patients who have experienced sexual violence. Recent national legislative initiatives have been launched both to better explore state-specific needs in regard to training SANE nurses as well as pilot programs that will establish evidence-based methods of expanding SANE training to remote, rural, and underserved communities. A scoping literature review was conducted to identify best practices in SANE training as well as implications for delivering this education to rural and underserved communities. This review analyzed the scientific strengths and weaknesses of existing research, provided an overview of findings within the literature, and identified areas where further research could be directed to inform local, state, and national strategy on SANE education. Blended learning programs that pair online education with simulated clinical experiences are promising alternatives to the traditional classroom experience; however, more research is needed to know how to enhance retention and engagement of nurses utilizing these methods to obtain preliminary SANE training.12 month embargo; published 06 April 2022This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]