1. FIELD STRENGTH: Enhancing Collaborations in LIS Education through Field Experience Susan E. Searing

2. The Practice Pre-Requisite “Library experience is as important in getting hired by a library as the MLS, maybe even more so.” “My field experience was by far the most important aspect of my LIS education and I draw on it every day as a professional librarian.” 2 Source: Berry, J. (2005, September 15). The practice prerequisite. Library Journal, 130 (15), 8. Source: Survey of UIUC GSLIS alumni, Fall 2012.

3. The Field Strength Project The goals of the “Field Strength” project are to explore and document how students, librarians and LIS educators perceive the value of field experience in preparing new professionals; and to shape new field experiences with improved learning outcomes. Research Partners: o University Library, UIUC o Graduate School of Library and Information Science, UIUC o The iSchool and University Library, University of Maryland 3

4. The Field Strength Project The Field Strength project is a multi-phase study. The first phase applied a mixed-method approach. Literature review Survey of recent LIS graduates regarding their field experiences in academic libraries (UI Webtools) Comprehensive review of field experience opportunities at ALA-accredited LIS programs Content analysis of student learning outcomes identified by ALA- accredited LIS programs Interviews with LIS educators who coordinate field experience programs at other institutions (n=5) Survey of academic librarians who supervised field experiences (Survey Monkey) 4

5. What is a “Field Experience”? Graduate Assistantship Research Assistantship Internship Practicum, Field Work, or Directed Field Study Independent Study Service Learning Volunteer 5

6. Survey of Graduates 31 items Administered in Fall 2012 Administered to 388 graduates of the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science who held a Graduate Assistantship, Research Assistantship, or completed a practicum in the Library between 2006 - 2012 Response rate = 26.3% (n=102) Repeated at University of Maryland (n=30) 6

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11. Experience Counts! “Very few entry level positions require no experience. While I couldn't claim professional experience, my graduate assistantship provided the two years of reference and instruction experience that was a preferred qualification for the position.” 11

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13. What Do the Schools Think? Louisiana State University, Univ. of South Carolina, Simmons College, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Texas Woman’s University: Formal field experiences are good for ALL students. Significant support and quality assurance for practicums. – Scouting locations, matching interests, contracts, check-ins, observation, parallel coursework/seminars Broad exposure vs narrow duties. Seeking opportunities in emerging domains (e.g., data management, digital humanities). 13

14. What Do Librarians Think? Survey of librarians who’ve supervised student field experiences at Illinois and Maryland. Fall 2013. 63 responses, about equal numbers from the two universities. 14

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19. What skills do new field experience students lack? 19

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21. What is Learned in a “Field Experience”? The Practicum.... allows students to integrate the theory and knowledge of course content with the application of principles and practices in a work environment, including these specific objectives: To gain practical experience based on the understanding and application of theoretical knowledge. To observe the analysis of and solutions to problems arising in professional work settings. To interact with colleagues in a professional work environment. To participate in a representative range of professional activities in the work setting. To develop a professional self-awareness. 21 Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Graduate School of Library and Information Science. (n.d.). Practicum Overview. Retrieved from http://www.lis.illinois.edu/academics/ practicum

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23. What May Not Be Working in Field Experience? Too few experiences in emergent areas of focus in academic libraries: – Technological innovation – E-resource management – Scholarly communication services – Data curation 23

24. What May Not Be Working in Field Experience? 24 Too few opportunities to plan and carry out projects.

25. Next Steps An application was submitted to the IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program, Masters Program category. If funded, it will create new GA slots and practicum opportunities at Illinois for three years, permitting us to design and evaluate new on-campus and virtual field experience opportunities in emerging areas of practice. 25

26. Thank You to…. Co-Principal Investigators: Scott Walter (2011-12) Linda C. Smith Beth Sandore Namachchivaya University of Maryland: Gary White & Ann Carlson Weeks Institute for Museum & Library Services 26

27. Contact Susan E. Searing Interim Associate University Librarian for User Services, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign searing@illinois.edu 27