1) Embedded librarianship involves integrating library services both in physical and virtual spaces, including through social media, mobile apps, and virtual worlds. 2) An embedded librarian teaches information literacy skills across various formats and helps patrons evaluate different sources of information wherever they are. 3) As information exists increasingly online, the role of librarians is shifting to teaching skills like digital citizenship, creating a personal learning network, and providing resources in virtual spaces through tools like wikis and exhibits in virtual worlds.

1. Embedded Librarianship:
Physical Worlds & Virtual Worlds
Valerie Hill, PhD
Lewisville ISD School Librarian
TWU Adjunct Instructor
Virtual World Librarian
@valibrarian

2. Serving Patrons
wherever they are
School Library Example
• Embedding the library
through social
media/webmaster
• Information literacy
skills 21st Century
• Embracing Web 2.0 &
user-generated
content
• Content evaluation &
curation
• Mobile apps
Virtual Library Example
• Embedding library
services in virtual
spaces
• International
information literacy
• Embracing Web 3.0
• Global spaces,
virtual worlds
(Skype, Minecraft,
& MOOCs)
“What we’re trying to do is have the library be wherever you are.” Nancy Roderer, John
Hopkins Welch Medical Library http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/06/09/hopkins

3. Physical World Embedded Librarian
Print is no longer king of the information hierarchy.
Information literacy includes all
formats: print, digital, audio, video,
logos, images, social media, apps,
and “transmedia.”

4. Integrating Information Literacy:
the challenge of the embedded librarian
The game has quickly changed.

5. Time to make your move, strategically
balancing tradition and innovation.

6. Information Literacy is like breathing.
Information Inhalation
• Literature
appreciation
• Evaluation of
online
sources
• Formats of
information
• Reading
Information Exhalation
• User-
generated
• Content
curation
• Web 2.0
• Writing
• Video
production
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dklimke/6732980387/">dklimke</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>

7. Print or ebooks:
We like both!
What are digital
footprints? Am
I creating them?

8. Digital Citizenship

9. Global Network
Distance is no longer relevant. Anyone can
share user-generated across the globe.
Creating a personal & professional learning
network is crucial.
Problem: The blurry line between personal /
professional life requires balance, ethics, and a
clear focus of intent.

10. USE WIKIS to EMBED IL for patrons.

11. Integrating Information Literacy
Instruction as Needed

12. Media Mondays and Wiki Wednesdays

13. EEE Bar & Brown Bag Lunches
An embedded librarian
shares resources and
information literacy in
numerous formats: both
synchronous and
asynchronous.

14. Problems with WIKIS
• Different skill levels of users
• Reluctance to embrace new tools (staff)
• Lack of time to train users
• Why reinvent the wheel? (Because learning
the tool is important.)

15. Social Media & PLNs

16. The way we search has changed.
Our first “go-to” places are:
David Ferriero, Archivist of the
US stated, “Students believe if it
isn’t online, it doesn’t exist.”
ALISE 2012

17. Teaching information literacy is
now TOP priority for school
librarians.

18. Web 3.0 & the Rise of a Networked
Generation
We all live in virtual worlds, whether or not we have avatars.

19. Virtual World Embedded Librarian

20. Dissertation Topic

21. Virtual World Librarianship Examples
• Exhibits, Museums, Displays
• ACRL Virtual World Interest Group Meetings
• Immersive Learning Environments
• Historical Simulations
• Reference Work
• Information Literacy Integration

22. Global Information Literacy Panel

23. The library and the librarian
are not synonymous.
Take a risk and go where no
librarian has gone before!
“It may be that the great age of libraries is waning, but I am here
to tell you that the great age of librarians is just beginning. It’s up
to you to decide if you want to be a part of it.”
~T. Scott Plutchak

24. Bibliography
ALA. 2013. Standards for the 21st Century Learner.
http://www.ala.org/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/standards
Gant, Scott. (2007). We’re All Journalists Now. New York: Free Press.
Gleick, J. (2011). The information: A history, a theory, a flood. Pantheon.
Grassian, Esther. (2012). Teach Information Literacy & Critical Thinking. https://sites.google.com/site/teachinfolit/ (accessed July
17, 2012).
Hill, Valerie, and Hyuk-Jin Lee. 2009. Libraries and immersive learning environments unite in second life. Library Hi Tech 27, (3):
338-56.
Howard, H. (2012). Looking to the future: Developing an academic skills strategy to ensure information literacy thrives in a
changing higher education world. Journal Of Information Literacy, 6(1), 71-81.
Kenton, J. and Blummer, B. (2010). Promoting Digital Literacy Skills: Examples from the Literature and Implications for Academic
Librarians. Community & Junior College Libraries, 16(2), 84-99.
Plutchak, T. Scott. 2007. The Librarian: Fantastic Adventures in the Digital World. Serials, 20(2), 87-91.
Webber, Sheila and Diane Nahl. 2011. Sustaining Learning for LIS through use of a Virtual World. IFLA Journal (37)(1): 5-15.
Photos from bigfoto.com and Second Life by Valibrarian