From Blended to Embedded:Trends and Transformations

Courtney MlinarFall 2012

Bell, Steven J., & Shank, John. (2004). The blended librarian: A blueprint for redefining the teaching and learning role of academic librarians. College & Research Libraries News, 65(7), 372-375.

Blended Librarian 2004

Reference or Academic LibrarianInformation TechnologistEducational Technologist

Informationist

Who are we?

Identity Trends

Questions:Should librarians be embedded in courses?

Should embedded librarians be called informationists?

Which identity matches you?

Leadership in organizational innovations Change agents Information (literacy) initiatives Instructional design Partnerships with IT/Faculty/Community

leaders Transforming roles and relationships Adapting library resources and access to

meet needs

Characteristics

Have you had an impact on your library users?

Have you influenced other librarians?

Have you created new resources or used new technologies to facilitate learning or finding information?

Have you been a Change Agent?

Dewey, Barbara I. (2004). The Embedded Librarian: Strategic Campus Collaborations. Resource Sharing & Information Networks, 17(1/2), 5-17. doi: 10.1300/J121v17n01<02

Dewey article 2004

Journalists in Iraq war comparison Direct interaction within partnerships Librarian observes, shares experiences with

external group Comprehensive collaboration

“Embedded”

Share a vision of success with the group you want to embed

Learn what they are trying to accomplish Create ways the library resources can help

them reach their goals Think outside the box

Key Action Points:

Librarian as key to success Fruitful partnerships built on understanding

of needs Library as new Salon

Teaching Collaboration

Center of influence Mixing the disciplines Bringing people together for synergy Becoming the Source

French Salons:

Librarians appointed to key committees Access to programming and planning

meetings outside the library Library integrated into all components of an

organization Librarians must be leaders AND Bring people together

Pervasive presence

Partners with administrators Subject specialists or liaisons Research support Grant or fundraising expertise Technology support Involved with content in curriculum Homework help

Levels of Collaborations

Bowler, Meagan, & Street, Kori. (2008). Investigating the efficacy of embedment: experiments in information literacy integration. Reference Services Review 36, 438-449.

2008 article: Efficacy

Bridging the gap between different groups Overcoming internal confidence problems Learning that you can make a difference Becoming familiar with the culture outside

the library Feeling you don’t know how to help them

Obstacles to overcome:

Have you ever helped a group outside the library in a group setting with your library skills?

What are your strengths? What are you afraid of?

What is your idea?

Faculty resistance? Trust ConfidenceKey: if they feel they can learn something

new from you every time they interact with you.

Embedding courses:

Write a brief summary of what you learned in the articles and share your concerns and ideas about assuming the embedded librarian role.

Please include any observations you have -positive and negative- about embedded librarianship.

Discussion Board 2:

Let’s personalize this discussion board:

Please include your strengths and skills which you feel will be most useful in becoming an embedded librarian.

Please include any stories about becoming embedded or ideas about how you would like to become an embedded librarian.

Discussion board 3: