Presented at LILAC 2019

1. Boutique Librarianship for the
non-traditional, working,
distance student: A love story
Kat Phillips
Nursing & Allied Health Liaison Librarian
Penn State University
kec5013@psu.edu

2. Penn State College of Nursing*unofficial 2018 enrollment* - * a student could be in more than one category*
Degree Type University
Park
World
Campus
Total
Headcount
Baccalaureate Degree 601 335 936
Doctoral Degree 18 33 51
Doctoral Minor 2 2
Graduate Dual Title 1 1
Master’s Degree 96 77 173
Postbaccalaureate
Certificate
8 16 24
Undergraduate Certificate 67 67
Undergraduate Minor 93 2 95
Grand Totals 721 513 1234
Librarian
primarily
works with:
~1,160

3. What do we want to know
• What does a boutique outreach model look like?
• What effect does the embedded librarian’s specialized outreach model
have on the distance graduate nursing student’s research confidence
and skills during their graduate program?
• Does this positively impact the transition of these skills into the
student’s work environment?
Research Cliparts Psychology #2567959. (2019). Retrieved
from, http://clipart-library.com/clipart/1801767.htm

4. Getting distance graduate students from
Point A to Point B
You are here
Imposter syndrome
Low (perception vs.
reality) research skills
You will be here
Confidence
Strong research
capabilities
Transitional skills
Nursing & Allied Health Liaison Librarian
builds strong boutique reference & instruction
relationship with entire College of Nursing
Boutique Service:
Modules
Discussion Boards
Variety of Reference Services
Resources & Assignments

5. Modules
•Problem based learning
•Build on pre-existing strengths
•Transitional skills applied directly to work or life
•Students earn certificate of completion/passing
for each module
•Undergraduate & Graduate student use

6. Modules
Then
• Undergraduate-level skills
• 6 Modules:
• Getting Ready for Research
• Basic Research Skills
• Identifying a Scholarly Resource
• Writing Tips
• Dissemination of Research
• Evidence-Based Nursing – Acquiring the Best Evidence

7. Modules
Now
• Undergraduate modules updated
• Base Graduate level modules
• Special Topics modules
• Scholarly Communication
• Open Access, Predatory Publishing
• Online Reputation
• APA Citations
• Identifying Types of Literature in a Journal
• IF I APPLY – Resource Credibility Verification

8. Discussion Boards
•Open-Ended Discussions
•Librarian & faculty collaboration
•Peer-led discussion
•2 Options: Focused or Water Cooler-style

9. Reference Services
•Virtual
• Zoom
• Phone
• Ask a Librarian Chat
•Office hours
• Physical office location in College of Nursing
•Timing
• Schedule day, evening, and weekend appointments

10. Resources & Assignments
•Update and increase eCollections
•Curriculum development
•Course updates
•Specific assignment creation or revamp

11. Balance of Time = Sustainable Services
• Annoying questions:
• Are weekend and evening hours really necessary?
• What do you actually do every day? (Response to the answer, “No.”)
• What do you mean we have InterLibrary Loan?! I’ve been paying for articles
this whole time!
• Legitimate questions:
• How are you going to sustain these services?
• Are you always going to offer these services to us & our students?
• Current & Upcoming changes:
• Appointment scheduling system for high traffic times & specific assignments
• Specified day(s) for evening appointments
• Shifting more instruction into modules
• Faculty training sessions

12. So the real question is…
Does this work?
Is it making a difference?

13. YES
Reduction of imposter syndrome
Increased # of student-librarian
interactions
Improved course
performance
Enriched information
literacy skills
Boosted transitional
skills

14. Questions, Comments, Compliments, or
Concerns?
kec5013@psu.edu – Kat Phillips – 814.865.3713

15. Kat Phillips
Nursing & Allied Health
Liaison Librarian
Penn State University
University Park, PA, USA
Email: kec5013@psu.edu
Telephone: 814.865.3713
Twitter: @724phillipsk