From the Ground Up: Creating a Sustainable Library Outreach Program for International Students

In spring 2014, the Henry Madden Library at Fresno State implemented an outreach program for incoming international students consisted of a campus orientation presentation, library orientation and tours, information literacy workshops, and international peer-advisor training. Assessment as a result of the program has shown a high level of use of help services among international students, as well as moderately higher use of several services and resources amongst students who attended the library orientation.     

Providing Library Outreach to Student Athletes

Summary

Student athletes' schedules can be very tightly structured around classes, homework, study, practice, and athletic events. As a result, they do not have the same freedom with their schedules as the average student. A library outreach program was developed at Valdosta State University to target the Department of Health, Physical Education and Athletics, and specifically the student athletes. The goals of this program are: (1) to provide the Department faculty and staff with a library contact or liaison, (2) to help student athletes learn to use the Library more effectively under pressure, thus relieving some of the stress they face with their demanding schedules, and (3) to make the library a less intimidating, more welcoming environment. The Library's outreach program is incorporated into the Department's NCAA CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success) program and includes tailored library instruction sessions. CHAMPS, as designed by the NCAA, does not currently include a library skills component.¹ Library outreach may be defined as any activity or program such as tailored library instruction that is created “to meet the information needs of an unserved or inadequately served target group.”² Outreach activities often focus on a specific user population such as high school students, off-campus students, international students, non-traditional students, and even faculty, and are often a method of promoting the use of the library.³ Providing outreach to student athletes is not well documented, however, there are a handful of universities with some type of outreach program to student athletes in place.⁴     

Hitching Your Wagon to the Right Star: A Case Study in Collaboration

In tough economic times, librarians are challenged to increase their instruction and outreach efforts despite shrinking budgets. This article discusses creating a mutually beneficial partnership with existing, successful campus programs to increase outreach efforts with minimal financial risk. Ten steps for creating a meaningful partnership are discussed. The author uses lessons learned from her own experience creating a collaboration with a first-year orientation program to illustrate the challenges and suggest best practices to help readers implement the model on their own campuses.     

Reaching Out to International Students: A Focus-Group Approach to Developing Web Resources and Services

Librarians at the State University of New York at Buffalo implemented the Resources for International Students Web guide to support library outreach to a multicultural and multilingual audience. A focus group helped librarians to understand the needs of new international students and tailor Web resources accordingly. In addition to creating awareness of international student cultural challenges, this article presents focus-group guidelines to assist in the planning process of library services and resources.     

Matters of scale: small-scale intensive outreach to graduate students

Abstract

As an alternative to large-scale outreach events, three public services librarians created a series of small-scale outreach events aimed at educating graduate students about library services and increasing positive perceptions of the library. The librarians ran five events with a 2:1 student-to-librarian ratio, and one event with a 13:1 student-to-librarian ratio. Using pre- and post-event surveys, the librarians evaluated student knowledge and perceptions of library services. Events of both sizes indicated that graduate students valued the outreach events and perceived increased comfort with the library following the events. However, the events with 2:1 ratios resulted in higher perceived comfort levels and more interest in scheduling follow-up appointments with librarians than the 13:1 ratio event. The researchers of this case study conclude that small-scale events have positive benefits for graduate students and that outreach assessment can be used to justify the increased time and cost commitments that are necessary for small-scale outreach events.     

Beyond These Walls

Abstract

To enhance the learning experiences of all students, today's academic librarians must engage in outreach efforts that move beyond the walls of the library. In the past year, Oakland University's Kresge Library has made significant inroads in developing outreach initiatives that provide needed services to previously underserved student populations, such as transfer students, multicultural groups, and on-cam-pus residents. These programs have increased the library's visibility, enhanced its image among the university's students, faculty, and staff alike, and positioned it at the heart of teaching and learning on campus. This article describes some of these outreach efforts.     

Librarian in the Boardroom: Outreach Strategies for an Executive MBA Program

The executive MBA (EMBA) is a high-profile, fast-track program that allows executives and managers to earn a master's of business administration degree while remaining employed. The unique needs of EMBA students provide business librarians with an opportunity to design a specialized outreach program, which can strengthen students’ ties across campus. This article examines the characteristics of EMBA students as well as the library outreach services provided to the Wichita State University EMBA program. Based on experiences with this program and a thorough needs analysis of typical EMBA students, the author suggests best practices for collaborations between business librarians and EMBA programs.     

Library outreach: addressing Utah's "Digital Divide"

A "Digital Divide" in information and technological literacy exists in Utah between small hospitals and clinics in rural areas and the larger health care institutions in the major urban area of the state. The goals of the outreach program of the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library at the University of Utah address solutions to this disparity in partnership with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine-- Midcontinental Region, the Utah Department of Health, and the Utah Area Health Education Centers. In a circuit-rider approach, an outreach librarian offers classes and demonstrations throughout the state that teach information-access skills to health professionals. Provision of traditional library services to unaffiliated health professionals is integrated into the library's daily workload as a component of the outreach program. The paper describes the history, methodology, administration, funding, impact, and results of the program.     

国外高校图书馆留学生延伸服务及思考

[目的/意义] 留学生是高校图书馆的特殊的用户群体,国外高校图书馆对留学生延伸服务的研究已有较长历史和实践经验,通过对相关研究成果的分析为国内高校图书馆提高留学生延伸服务提供意见和建议。[方法/过程] 通过文献分析法对部分国外相关研究和实践进行考察和分析。[结果/结论] 国外相关研究重视案例及数据分析,对不同层次留学生延伸服务提出不同的研究重点,重视比较分析、研究方法的科学性及社交媒介带来的影响。我国高校图书馆留学生延伸服务的研究及其实践应注重多方合作和国际化服务能力的提升,并朝更加细化、多元化和个性化的方向发展。     

Using a portable wireless computer lab to provide outreach training to public health workers

Librarians at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport developed an outreach program for public health workers in north Louisiana. This program provided hands-on training on how to find health information resources on the Web. Several challenges arose during this project. Public health units in the region lacked suitable teaching labs and faced limited travel budgets and tight staffing requirements, which made it impractical for public health workers to travel. One solution to these problems is a portable wireless computer lab that can be set up at each site. The outreach program utilized this approach to present on-site training to public health workers in the region. The paper discusses operational and technical issues encountered in implementing this public health outreach project.     

Library outreach: addressing Utah's “Digital Divide”

A “Digital Divide” in information and technological literacy exists in Utah between small hospitals and clinics in rural areas and the larger health care institutions in the major urban area of the state. The goals of the outreach program of the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library at the University of Utah address solutions to this disparity in partnership with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine—Midcontinental Region, the Utah Department of Health, and the Utah Area Health Education Centers. In a circuit-rider approach, an outreach librarian offers classes and demonstrations throughout the state that teach information-access skills to health professionals. Provision of traditional library services to unaffiliated health professionals is integrated into the library''s daily workload as a component of the outreach program. The paper describes the history, methodology, administration, funding, impact, and results of the program.     

Community Engagement at an Emerging Academic Medical Library: A Three-Pronged Outreach Model

The Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine’s (OUWB) service-oriented mission and vision is reflected in all aspects of the school including its culture, curriculum, research, community engagement, and the OUWB Medical Library. Though starting informally, the OUWB Medical Library’s outreach program has matured and now sustains a wide array of activities each year. This outreach program has blossomed into a three-pronged model that is inclusive of activities and endeavors engaging the institution and local community: integrate, partner, and create. Among its successes and challenges, the library’s ongoing outreach efforts have showcased the value of libraries in promoting community health and meaningfully contributing to the institutional mission.     

Liaison services for a remotely located biotechnology research center

In April 1989, the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center (HAM-TMC) Library initiated a prototype liaison program with the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Center for Biotechnology (CBT). The library was interested in examining the benefits and costs of the outreach concept and in supporting Houston's efforts to develop into a center for biotechnology research. Located thirty-five miles from the HAM-TMC Library, CBT was receptive to an outreach project that would improve its access to the library's collection and services. This article describes the objectives and development of the pilot project, the services provided, feedback from the biotechnologists, and program costs. Although limited in scope, the project has provided the HAM-TMC Library with useful data about the information needs of a particular group of biotechnologists and strengthened relationships with these scientists. In addition, the knowledge and experience gained from this effort are being used to plan outreach efforts for other client groups.     

Inside outreach: a challenge for health sciences librarians.

OBJECTIVE: Like medical and health sciences libraries throughout the country, the Lamar Soutter Library (LSL) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School is dealing with ever-increasing outreach needs in times of diminishing funding. With the goal of reshaping the library's outreach program to better serve our patron groups, the Outreach Study Group was formed to investigate existing models of outreach. METHODS: The group initially examined the current literature and subsequently conducted a nationwide survey of medical and health sciences libraries to identify trends in outreach. This article details the methods used for the survey, including establishing criteria for selecting participants, determining the focus, and developing and conducting the survey. RESULTS: Of the 40 libraries invited to participate, 63% completed the survey. An analysis of the data revealed successes, problems, and trends. The group's conclusions led to recommendations for the LSL's future outreach efforts. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the data revealed key findings in the areas of strategic planning, funding, and evaluation. A thoughtful definition of outreach ensures that outreach activities are expressions of the library's mission. Funding shifts require flexible programs. Evaluation provides data necessary to create new programs, sustain successful ones, and avoid repeating mistakes.     

STEM Bridges: Evolution of an Academic Library STEM Outreach Program

Big Orange STEM Saturday (BOSS) is a sustainable model of outreach that fosters the STEM cycle of discovery and learning experiences. Through this program, the library creates and reinforces a bridge between secondary educational experiences and higher education that facilitates the transfer of knowledge from the classroom to the world. Local high school students are able to engage with experts in several different ways to explore what STEM has to offer and to look beyond their current experiences. This approach creates a venue for STEM teaching spaces outside the school classroom for enrichment and innovation. Over the past 5 years, the variety of experiences offered at BOSS have expanded and the reputation of the program has grown. This article explores the challenges, lessons, and impact that this program has had on its constituents, with a particular focus on the impact the library can have when exploring nontraditional areas of support and outreach.     

“I Wanna Be in the Room Where It Happens”…: Using Curriculum Mapping to Support the Information Literacy Goals of Online Programs

Embedding information literacy and instruction within an online program can be a difficult process to begin. Curriculum mapping guides librarians to the courses where their services can have the most impact. However, curriculum mapping can seem like an overwhelming and unwieldly process. This case study demystifies the process and shows how simple and effective curriculum maps can be designed and utilized. Particularly in environment with a single librarian dedicated to online outreach serving as a coordinator for other subject liaison librarians, curriculum mapping is a tool that allows for clear communication, outreach and systematic assessment. This paper will provide an overview of how the curriculum maps were developed, how they were used for communication and outreach both within and outside the Libraries, and ideas for programmatic assessment based upon the maps.     

Beyond the first year: Supporting sophomores through information literacy outreach

The sophomore year is increasingly becoming a target of retention efforts, as universities and colleges realize that nearly as much attrition occurs between the sophomore and junior years as between the first and sophomore years. As a result, there is an opportunity for libraries to reach out to and target second-year students. This article presents a case study of a sophomore outreach program at the University of Puget Sound focused on citation management software. Our results suggest that libraries should pursue outreach targeting the sophomore population.     

高校图书馆华裔留学生延伸服务策略研究——基于两所“侨校”的问卷调查

[目的/意义]了解华裔留学生的信息素养、偏好与倾向、对图书馆的认知及个性化需求,提出华裔留学生延伸服务的策略。[方法/过程]在对国内外相关研究文献进行调查的基础上,对两所"侨校"的华裔留学生进行问卷调查,回收376份有效问卷,并进行统计和分析。[结果/结论]华裔留学生的基本信息素养不高,对图书馆移动终端服务的关注程度较低,使用图书馆的频率总体偏低;华裔留学生偏好人际直接交流的方式、倾向于"实地"学习;华裔留学生对图书馆的必要性及重要性的认知程度较高,其需求呈多样化特点。提出识别华裔留学生群体的需求和倾向,发掘后备人力资源,关注文化差异等高校图书馆对华裔留学生延伸服务的策略。     

Ethnography in Action: Active Learning in Academic Library Outreach to Middle School Students

This article describes an outreach activity developed and coordinated by academic librarians as part of a state program for low-income middle school students. Rather than offering a traditional library tour, the library organizers wanted to provide the middle school students with a meaningful experience that would encourage active participation, critical thinking, and alleviate library anxiety. As a spin on the traditional tour, students applied an ethnographic approach to learning about the library. The authors describe the development and implementation of the activity and provide recommendations for other librarians involved in outreach to K–12 students.     

Library Outreach to the Freshman Football Recruits and Athletic Academic Tutors at Mississippi State University

ABSTRACT

A library outreach program was developed at the Mississippi State University Libraries to help the Athletic Academic Tutors and the Freshman Football athletes with their academic requirements. Future goals of this program are to sustain and develop an ongoing relationship with the tutors by incorporating them into the Libraries' research consultation program, and to conduct more orientation sessions throughout the year.