Clinical Pharmacy Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy, Concept of clinical pptx
The Personal Librarian Programme - a pilot project at Rhodes University Library, 2013
1. Towards an exceptional Undergraduate learning experience
The Personal Librarian Programme - a pilot project at Rhodes University Library, 2013
Vuyo Gontshi
15th LIASA Conference:
10 October 2013
Cape Town International Convention Centre
2. Outline
Aim
Introduction
Evolving models of library service
80s model of service
Faculty Liaison model of service
Personal Librarian model of service introduced
Implementation at Rhodes
Marketing
Pre-exam main launch – 19 April 2013
Extended Studies launch – 26 July 2013
Day Kaif launch ‘Cake Day’ – 02 August 2013
Law Library launch – 16 August 2013
Methods used to assess users needs
Results
Lessons learnt thus far
Conclusions & Future plans
Readings on 3 models
3. Aim
Report and share a unique intervention for enhancing the Undergraduate learning experience at Rhodes University.
To focus on the establishment of the project, the experiences encountered and lessons learned thus far.
4. Background
Participation in the 2011 Carnegie Research Academy (Carnegie funded RLC)
Research report – new Information Literacy intervention started at Rhodes Commerce Library
‘Do you feel confident enough to ask the librarians anything?’
“I don’t feel I could ask the librarians anything other than a book that I can’t find, otherwise ‘what could they tell me?” (Gontshi, 2011)
United States 2012 – 12 weeks trip
Yale University experience (7 weeks)
Observation of Yale’s Personal Librarian Programme
Sought to answer the above question
5. Evolving Models of library service
80s Librarians were caretakers of physical collections
“They collected material ‘just in case’ someone would need it”… (Besser, 1998)
Shifts in library services became apparent in the 90s
“Libraries are becoming less important for the materials they collect or house, and more important for the kind of material they can obtain in response to user requests” (Besser, 1998)
User focused approach
…90s, digital networking invaded the Librarians’ space demanding shift in service…
6. The 80’s Model of library service – Librarians seen as the custodians of library collections
9. Undergraduate comments from LibQual
“More attention should be invested in student needs.”
“it is a very good library, but some staff members are not that helpful.”
13. Implementation cont… Who is involved?
Librarian: Information Commons (Under- Graduate) – co-ordinator of Personal Librarian programme
Librarians & Assistant Librarians
Circulation (1 librarian), Technical Services (1 librarian, 1 principal librarian), User Services (6 faculty liaison librarians & 1 assistant librarian), Law Branch Library (1 librarian, 1 assistant librarian)
Not involved - Principal Librarians
Focusing on supporting Postgraduate students and Academic staff
14. Process of engagement
1300 1st year students divided amongst the 13 PLs
Introduction emails were sent to individual students - End of 1st term
Some PLs got responses immediately, some never did
Active students in the programme = 755
Some students saw it as a “rescue program”
“I feel like you have brought exactly the kind of help that I need.”
“I am very glad that someone has finally come to my rescue”
“I think I need some time with you to polish up my computer skills”
Follow-up launch invitation emails
15. Marketing
Launches
Launch for 1st year students – 19 April 2013 pre- exam
Extended Studies students’ launch – 26 July 2013
Day Kaif launch ’Cake day’- 02 August 2013
Law Library launch – 16 August 2013
Banner, posters, T-shirts, Bookmarks, Badges
lollipops & Lucky draws
Webpage
http://www.ru.ac.za/library/services/personallibrarian/
16. Implementation cont… Methods used to assess students needs
Survey question - “What do you expect from your Personal Librarian”?
One-on-One engagement via
email and personal contact
Lecturers’ feedback
17. Results – 1st year student launch vs Day Kaif launch Pre & post-exam comparison – 1st year students 2013
18. Results cont… Sample survey comments from 1st year students before June exams
“Must be kind and help when struggling, be patient when asked questions”
“I expect that my personal librarian will be willing to help me anytime and not get tired”
“Be there when I need help. So far I am happy; they are doing a great job”
“I expect them to have a smile on their faces then only will I be happy to ask for help”
“Assistance with research with digital and physical records and with academic work
19. Results cont… Law Library graph showing a trend according to the level of study
20. Results cont… Sample survey comments from Law Library students
“Friendly, smile, helpful librarians who appear to be enjoying their job. A thorough knowledge of resources and technology always helps, Rhodes law librarians rock!” – mature student; 2010
“I think this is a good program that will be useful to first years mostly. I expect them to be available when needed always, smiling so they can be approachable” - 1st year student; 2013
“Friendliness, Efficiency, helpfulness, Law library scores highly on all 3 counts” – mature student; 2005
21. Results cont… Trends across the entire student population
051015202530354045Friendliness & willingness to helpAssistance in finding information- OPAC, online resourcesResearch & study guidePractical assistance: photocopying, printing, loan procedures
22. Challenges
No dedicated space for PLs to consult with individual students
Some PLs use chill zones, Info Commons study rooms, group study rooms when available
PL programme demands the need for mobile devices
23. Lessons learnt thus far…
Reflections - Were we successful?
Feedback was received but not in the way we expected
Word of mouth referrals
“I heard about this programme from my friends and I would like to have my own personal librarian too”
http://activateonline.co.za/the-library-just-got-personal/
oAcademics responses
Sociology lecturer – requested a personal service for her undergraduate students
Observed trend
A need for a personal service at university entry level and at1st year of Postgraduate level
Extended studies programme – foundation year students
Importance of working with the Academic coordinators
…and we are still learning…
24. Conclusions & Future plans
Entire student population indicated that they were seeking for a relationship more than academic support:
Friendliness & willingness to help
Assistance in finding information
Even though we focused on 1st year students in 2013, the entire student body voiced a need for personal service
As a result of the above, the team has decided to open the programme to the entire under-graduate population in 2014.
Students don’t respond to emails – they prefer personal contact so…..
26. Papers discussing the 80s Model of library service
(Besser, 1998) http://besser.tsoa.nyu.edu/howard/Papers/peters.html
(Tyckoson, 2001)
https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/8398/librarytrendsv50i2d_opt.pdf?sequence=1
(ALIA, 2003)
http://conferences.alia.org.au/libtec2003/papers/cram.html
27. Papers discussing Faculty Liaison Service Model…
(Jaguszewski & Williams, 2013) http://www.arl.org/storage/documents/publications/NRNT-Liaison- Roles-final.pdf
(Mbali, 2011) & (Rionda, 2010) Carnegie Research Academy unpublished reports
(Wade, 1999) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0099-1333(99)80030-5
28. Articles describing the Personal Librarian Service Model
(Bailey, 1984) – Personal service at Postgraduate level
(Foster & Gibbons, 2007)- Studying students: Undergraduate research project
http://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/publications/booksanddigitalresources/digital/Foster-Gibbons_cmpd.pdf
(Nann, 2010) - How Yale Library did it
http://www.aallnet.org/main-menu/Publications/spectrum/Archives/Vol- 14/pubsp1006/pub-sp1006-personal.pdf
(Spak & Glover, 2007) Yale Medical Library PLP http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1300/J115v26n04_02