Undergraduate research offers academic librarians and archivists an additional motivation to engage students with special collections. Curriculum design, course instruction, and mentoring by librarians and archivists can benefit not only students but also the institution as well. I explore an example of such engagement with a collection of New…

The ways in which university quality assessments are developed reveal a great deal about value constructs surrounding higher education. Measures developed and consumed by external stakeholders, in particular, indicate which elements of academia are broadly perceived to be most reflective of quality. This paper examines the historical context of…

Developing a strategy for embedding librarians in online courses can be challenging, but it is essential to demonstrate to accrediting agencies how libraries serve online students. A well-thought-out plan can be scalable and sustainable for rapidly growing online programs and can satisfy accreditation standards. This article examines how one…

Many observers find it baffling that faculty in higher education have been slow to adopt open educational resources (OER). The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, a private foundation that makes grants to expand access to learning materials, defines OER as: Teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been…

Studies about diversity initiatives in academic libraries have primarily focused on large research libraries. But what kinds of diversity work occur at smaller libraries? This study examines the status of diversity initiatives, especially those aimed at students, at national liberal arts college libraries. Results from a survey of library…

Given the increasing power and prominence of political figures in the United States who openly espouse xenophobic, misogynistic, white nationalist positions, it is only natural to anticipate encountering students who express these views in our libraries and classrooms. This essay uses a classroom encounter with a student expressing xenophobic…

This article describes a digital wellness workshop that was developed for university students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The library workshop series explores the physical and psychological issues that can arise from overuse of digital technologies, especially related to academic performance in college students. Workshop…

The digital humanities (DH) are attracting considerable attention and funding at the same time that this nascent field is striving for an identity. Some research libraries are making significant investments by creating digital humanities centers. However, questions about whether such investments are warranted persist across the cultural heritage…

This article examines the virtual pathfinder and its relationship with distance education students. Various topics are addressed in relation to virtual students, LibGuides and collaborative efforts between librarians and teaching faculty. A brief history of the subject guide is presented, advantages and disadvantages of LibGuides are discussed and…

Embedded librarianship is a relatively new term but is a fairly well-established stance in academic librarianship. While the terminology has certainly spawned new activities and vigorous new channels of communication, few are talking about the strategies for expanding and enhancing the position of the librarian and libraries organizationally once…

Discusses factors that influence the development of university libraries in general, and university libraries in China specifically. It is argued that the development of university libraries in China needs to be coordinated with the development and environment of the entire university, and to be based on existing and latent abilities. (CLB)

Examines how the role of academic libraries and librarians has changed drastically since the early 1970s. Suggests that the recognition of the educational role of librarians today is a result of the convergence of the widespread success of bibliographic instruction and the impact of electronic sources of information.(AEF)

Identifies and defines categories of barriers that inhibit Environmental Education's growth and development in schools: conceptual, educational, attitudinal, and logistical. Expands on the implications of the barriers and a role for libraries in resolving these problems. (MCO)

Discusses the role of the community college library and the extent to which colleges support effective library instruction programs. A study that examined the relationship between academic success and student use of library materials is described and recommendations for developing course integrated library instruction are presented. (23 notes with…

The "library-college" philosophy conceives of a library as a total educational resource, that (1) fully uses media and instructional aids; (2) stresses independent study; (3) encourages teachers and librarians to share instructional and bibliographic duties; and (4) aids students in achieving competency in reading, speaking, and critical thinking.…