Who Trains Distance Librarians? Jack Fritts & Anne Marie Casey

Introduction More libraries serving distance learners What training is needed for librarians? What training opportunities exist? How are those opportunities delivered? How can we adapt current training data to the needs of distance learning librarians?

Some History D. L. in the U.S dates to the 1830s D. L. grew as new technologies evolved Guidance for D.L. library services ◦ 1963 – first ACRL Guidelines ◦ 1982 – first OCLS Conference ◦ 1991 – ECLSS established ◦ 2008 – ACRL Guidelines become Standards

Training Librarians on the Job Formal training ◦ New employee orientation ◦ Peer training ◦ Formal mentoring ◦ Conferences & workshops ◦ Campus training Informal training ◦ Being thrown into the deep end ◦ Networking

Research Design Five groups identified to survey ◦ Distance Learning Section Leadership ◦ Regional Campus Libraries D.G. ◦ LITA Distance Learning SIG ◦ OCLS Conference listserv ◦ Offcamp

Methodology Thirteen-question survey Available for one week in December 2009 Do not know how many the survey reached 141 responded

Questions What is your current position? In what type of library do you work? Do your job responsibilities include service to distant learners? How did you become involved with distance learning?

Questions, continued Did you receive any training in distance learning librarianship in library school? What kind of on the job training did you receive in distance learning librarianship? Have you received training in distance librarianship through conference or workshop attendance?

Questions, continued Have you received training in distance learning librarianship from: ◦ ALA ◦ ACRL ◦ ACRL Distance Learning Section ◦ ACRL Regional Campus Librarians Discussion Group ◦ LITA Distance Learning SIG ◦ Other

Questions, continued What training formats would you recommend for distance learning librarians? Have you been a distance learner?

Questions, continued Are you a member of any of the following? ◦ ACRL Distance Learning Section ◦ LITA Distance Learning SIG ◦ Regional Campus Librarians Discussion Group ◦ United States Distance Learning Association

Questions, continued Have you ever attended the Off-Campus Library Services Conference sponsored by Central Michigan University? Do you have any comments about the issue of training for distance learning librarians?

Demographics

How respondents received training

Library School ◦ Yes and no. No formal coursework but did my degree online ◦ Please! My library degree was in 1974! I wasn’t even using an electric typewriter. ◦ I received my MLS with a concentration in distributed/distance learning librarianship ◦ Kind of – our reference class focused on and chat

How respondents received training On the job: ◦ Learned by doing – started over 15 years ago ◦ Trial by fire :) ◦ Personal study ◦ I’m learning it as I go. ◦ Training materials provided for position and edited as needed. ◦ Learning about best practices from faculty

How respondents received training Conferences or workshops: ◦ Nothing that was specifically labeled as “training’ ◦ Off Campus Library Services Conference ◦ DLS activities at ALA, various related conferences like Virtual Ref Desk ◦ Only some events at ALA. Planning to attend everything at Midwinter and be at Offcamp

Recommended Training Formats

All of the above – depending on the situation Orientations, shadowing DL librarians at other institutions Blog, wiki, podcast Taking a DL course before teaching one Discussion groups Spend time with DL faculty Networking and sharing experiences Mentoring Local interest groups

Results Many evolved into their jobs Many wear multiple hats Workshops and webinars Foundation in MLIS degree programs DLS has strongest potential for training

Conclusion How do we develop training? Can DLS take the lead? Mentoring programs such as CLS? Hybrid conference programs? Webinars? Your ideas?

Comments and Questions

Contacts Jack Fritts Benedictine University Anne Marie Casey Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University