The Embedded Librarian: Online Forums and Information Literacies Jade Furness, Liaison Librarian Geoff Kelly, Liaison Librarian Rosemary Rishworth, Liaison Librarian

The Embedded Librarian Our message: A Librarian’s active presence on the online forums will assist students with their research requirements and their assessments The Embedded Librarian in an online forum is: A librarian who takes an active role inside the online classroom Information Literacies involve: Firstly recognising the need for information and then knowing how to find, evaluate and use the best information from an ever-increasing array of resources.

An information literate person: Recognises the need for information and the extent of the information needed Accesses information efficiently Critically evaluates information and its sources Classifies, stores, manipulates and redrafts information collected or generated Incorporates selected information into their knowledge base Uses information effectively to learn, create new knowledge, solve problems and make decisions Understands economic, legal, social, political and cultural issues in the use of information Accesses and uses information ethically and legally Experiences information literacy as part of independent learning and lifelong learning

What does the literature say? Why embed information literacy in online courses? Provide online students with library resources and increase library visibility Course leaders request library to assist students with learning to access and use resources Role(s) of the embedded librarian online Course leader/lecturer – broad access to LMS and forums, high noise level Teaching assistant – adequate access to forums, low noise level Course participant – low access, low noise level

What does the literature say? How was information literacy embedded? Forums/bulletin boards, , information literacy “course shells”, multimedia Online assignments and tests Information literacy: learning vs teaching Millennial learners privilege the learning process over straight knowledge transfer Millennials seek information from those they trust – librarian must form relationships Outcomes of embedded information literacy Increase in retentions and recruitment Personal connections and positive relationships formed between students and librarians

The embedded librarian best practices: Collaborate with faculty and instructional designers to ensure that a library forum is integrated into the online course Promote the forum and encourage all students to subscribe and contribute Introduce yourself. Provide links to the library catalogue, course readings, databases, video tutorials, and contact details Identify those courses where library presence is of greatest importance and librarian’s time is best spent Be familiar with overall course content and assignment requirements and deadlines Make timely postings – “point of need” Take an active part in the forum and provide a quick turn-around response to student questions

The embedded librarian – what we currently do: Introduce the library and its resources Answer reference enquiries Promote specific information sources and explain how to access them, e.g. ebooks Provide assistance on how to search journal databases Work with faculty to assist students with particular information requirements Assist with APA referencing and promote referencing tool Noodlebib Update internet links

The embedded librarian – forum welcome screen

The embedded librarian – example posting:

The Embedded Librarian References Australian and New Zealand Institute for Information Literacy. (2004). Australian and New Zealand information literacy framework: Principles, standards and practice (2nd ed). Retrieved from Goodwin, P. & Parker, J. (Eds.). (2012). Information literacy beyond library 2.0. London, England: Facet.