The document discusses the role of the Digital Learning Librarian at University College Dublin (UCD) Library and how they are applying a social interoperability model to support digital literacy. The role focuses on developing digital learning frameworks, services, and collaborating across units. The librarian attended workshops on social interoperability which emphasize relationship building across a university. At UCD, the librarian collaborates with the Educational Development and Technology unit and academic staff in two colleges. Outputs developed so far include digital literacy materials and identifying stakeholders involved in digital literacy across the university. Reflections noted the benefits of collaboration and challenges of engagement and embedding work, and recommendations focused on clearly communicating value and offering solutions.

1. The Digital Learning
Librarian role at UCD Library:
a case study in social
interoperability
Dr. Marta Bustillo
Digital Learning Librarian
UCD Library
CONUL 2022, May 26th

2. Overview
▣ The Digital Learning Librarian role at UCD
▣ OCLC/LIBER Social Interoperability Workshops
▣ Applying the Social Interoperability model to
Digital Literacy at UCD
▣ Reflections and recommendations
2

3. 1.
The Digital
Learning
Librarian role
A quick look at
the job
description
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4. The DLL role:
Functional expertise
▣ Develop a digital learning framework for the Library
that ensures our activities meet the needs of students and
researchers, enabling them to develop key digital
literacies.
▣ Lead the development of a range of high-quality,
impactful, accessible and engaging digital library
services that provide opportunities for student
engagement while supporting the development of digital
literacies and self-directed learning.
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5. The DLL Role:
Relationship building aspects
▣ Participate in deep collaboration with academic staff
and the College Liaison Librarian (CLL) team to
innovate and elevate library digital learning activities.
▣ Collaborate with colleagues in the Library’s cultural
heritage collections to include services that support
the development of digital scholarship.
▣ Actively identify, engage and collaborate with
colleagues and units in other parts of the university
supporting student digital literacy skills.
5

6. 2.
OCLC/ LIBER
Social
Interoperability
Workshops
The Social
Interoperability
model
6

7. 7

8. Series of 3 Workshops, May 2021
▣ Workshop 1: Understanding Social and Structural
Norms That Shape Academic Institutional
Collaboration
▣ Workshop 2: Case Studies in Successful Social
Interoperability
▣ Workshop 3: Making Your Plan for Developing Cross-
Functional Relationships at Your Institution
8

9. ‘’
“Universities are
complex
adaptive
systems”
9

10. Which means they often display…
Non-linear,
dynamic
behaviour
Independent
agents
Conflicting goals
10
Intelligent and
learning agents
Self-organisation
No single point
of control

11. ‘’
“The library has an
important role to
play as a central
campus unit that
serves as a trusted
partner for
sustainable services,
not just short-term
projects”
11

12. 12

13. 3.
Social
Interoperability
at UCD
Relationship
Building for
Digital Literacy
13

14. UCD Strategy 2020-2024
Theme 2:
Transforming through Digital Technology
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“We will search for, discover, and introduce new ways
to advance the digital literacy of our students and
will provide opportunities for all members of our
University community to understand and make use of
the digital technologies relevant to their areas. ”

15. In-built social interoperability from
the outset
The Digital Learning
Librarian is a staff member
of the EDTL Project at UCD
15

16. The UCD EDTL Project Team
▣ Project chaired by UCD’s Dean of Students.
▣ Project works with two UCD Colleges:
□ Engineering and Architecture
□ Science.
▣ Access to key academic staff and members of the
Teaching & Learning Committees in both colleges.
▣ Two educational technologists providing digital skills
support for academic staff in both colleges.
▣ Student intern supporting digital literacy work.
▣ Support from the wider EDTL team.
16

17. Applying the Social Interoperability Model:
Stakeholders for Digital Literacy at UCD
17
Digital
Literacy
Library
IT
Services
Schools
and
Colleges
Office of
the
Registrar
Teaching
&
Learning
Writing
Centre
Careers
Network
Access
and
Lifelong
Learning
Students’
Union

18. Outputs so far
18

19. 4.
Reflections and
Recommendations Final thoughts
19

20. What has worked well
▣ Support and connections provided by the EDTL
project team, both within UCD and across other IUA
institutions.
▣ Close collaboration with library colleagues, e.g.
College Liaison Librarians, Outreach Team and
Research Services.
▣ Good working relationship with the Educational
Technology team at IT Services.
▣ Working with student interns to develop digital
literacy materials.
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21. The main challenges
▣ Identifying all relevant stakeholders across the
university and reaching out to all.
▣ Embedding digital literacy materials within the
curriculum at program level.
▣ Promoting the digital literacy initiative to busy
academics at the right time.
▣ Identifying what cross-university committees and
working groups may have an interest in supporting
digital literacy.
21

22. Some recommendations
▣ The findings from the OCLC report can apply not
only to open scholarship support, but to any cross-
university initiative.
▣ Learn how to articulate the value of what you offer
in less than 30 seconds.
▣ Offering solutions to other people’s problems is key
to relationship building.
▣ There is no substitute for passion, energy and
commitment.
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23. THANKS!
Any questions?
You can find me at
▹ @martab_lib
▹ marta.bustillo@ucd.ie

24. References
Bryant, R., Dortmund, A. & Lavoie, B. (2020). Social
Interoperability in Research Support: Cross-Campus
Partnerships and the University Research Enterprise. OCLC
Research. https://doi.org/10.25333/wyrd-n586.
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