LIBRARIANS, INFORMATION LITERACY AND EMPLOYABILITY

KAYE TOWLSON AND NATHAN RUSH

Introduction

• Why have we done this and what have we done?

• Different mindsets• Is there a role for Librarians?• How does that benefit us?• Promotion and convincing our audience• Institutional alignment/ strategic fit

Why?• To answer the demand of the current HE

environment for clear evidence of employability skills. • To increase student motivation and

understanding of the wider application of information skills• Confirms librarians’ place in the provision of key

graduate skills and are seen to be responding to contemporary HE demands• International students: like qualifications, not so

keen on softer skills (McKinnon 2011)

What have we done?• Identified core graduate skills in the field of information literacy

– Correlate graduate attributes identified by CBI/UUK (2009) and DMU ULTAS (2012 – 2015) with the core information literacy skills identified by LLIDA (2009) and the Arcadia Project (Secker and Coonan 2011).

• Mapped these skills onto current DMU Library and Learning Services’ practices and identified any gaps.

• Compared existing information literacy pedagogic practice at other selected institutions and their identified relevant graduate attributes.

• Developed a framework of Graduate Skills Licence (Information Literacy).• Explored the practicalities of delivery, learning and assessment • Pilot workshop offered as part of Library and Learning Services employability week• Evaluate the project in terms of student and staff feedback, resource utilisation

and the implications for a wider development of such a Graduate licence.

CBI/UUK (2009) Skill Librarian Learning DeveloperSelf management

Teamworking

Business/Customer awareness

Problem solving

Communication and literacy

Application of numeracy *

Application of Information * * Technology

Identified underpinning attributes of positive attitude and entrepreneurship / enterprise:

* The Maths Learning Centre (MLC) is also part of the Directorate

* * The Centre for Enhanced Learning through Technology (CELT) is also part of the Directorate

LLIDA (2009)Skill Librarian Learner Developer

Learning to Learn: metacognition

Academic practice, study skills

Information literacy

Communication and collaboration skills

Media literacy

ICT/digital computer literacy **

Employability

Citizenship

* * The Centre for Enhanced Learning through Technology (CELT) is also part of the Directorate

Exploring.....• Practicalities of

– Delivery

– Learning and teaching

– Assessment

Who have we spoken to?• Librarians and Learner Developers• Department of Academic Quality• Teacher Fellows• Academics in all faculties • People in other institutions (including Jisc-

mail)

What did they say?

Great idea but ...Curriculum Credits Resources

Work Based Learning

• Programme Management Board• Quality assurance• Portfolio• Enables University certification• Administration

What is employability? Librarians: Skills of life long learning; evidence,

articulation, transfer and application

Academics: our experience so far ... Employability is CVs, job experience, placements, presentations, etc

How do you bridge the two?

Different mindsets Mindsets to consider: academic, institution, librarian,

student ... Should we seek to change these mindsets? Should we work together to bridge these views and

enable them to be mutually supportive? Is it the librarians’ role to facilitate the acquisition

and articulation of these skills? .....on our own? Case for multi-agency approach?

Will this change the way we work?

Institutional alignment• DMU: strategic fit, ULTAS, Employability Strategy

• Wider context

• As Librarians: do we need to align our profession with these institutional strategies and the broader HE landscape?

• Does this benefit our role and place within the institution/HE as librarians?

Convincing our audience

• Have to engage with our students• They have to understand why we are doing

this and how it benefits them• What does it mean for their ‘employability’?• Are we speaking their language?

It has to have value for students to engage

Conclusions

• Employability means different things to different sets of people

• Different drivers and agendas• Not all institutions necessarily have a neat strategic fit• In order to engage with our audience they need to

understand the value in what is being offered• We need to appreciate the role of other agencies within the

institution – how the parts fit together (or could) and be prepared to collaborate

BibliographyBeetham, H., McGill, L. And Littlejohn, A. (2009) Thriving in the 21st century: learning literacies for

the digital age (LliDA project) [WWW], Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University. Available from: http://www.academy.gcal.ac.uk/llida/LLiDAReportJune2009.pdf [Accessed 27/6/11].

Browne, J. (2010). Securing a sustainable future for higher education [WWW] Available from http://www.delni.gov.uk/index/publications/pubs-higher-education/browne-report-student-fees.htm [Accessed 12/10/11]

CBI/UUK (2009) Future Fit: preparing graduates for the world of work [WWW] Available from: http://educationandskills.cbi.org.uk/uploaded/HRE_091_Future%20Fit%20AW.pdf [Accessed 12/10/11].

Pillai, M. (2010) Locating Learning Development in a University Library: Promoting Effective Academic Help Seeking. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 16 (2), p121 – 144

Secker, J. and Coonan, E. (2011) A new curriculum for information literacy, executive summary [WWW] Available from: http://ccfil.pbworks.com/f/ANCIL_final.pdf [Accessed 12/10/11]

Towlson, K. and Pillai, M. (2008) Librarians and learning developers working together at De Montfort University Library, SCONUL Focus (44), pp23 - 25

Themed week : employabilityCompany information - learn about prospective employers

Researching the company or service provider prior to your application is critical in informing your decisions and content of your application. This workshop will guide your research in finding out about a company or service provider, including news, finance, corporate culture and image.

CV, letter writing and email etiquetteThis workshop will focus on the expected conventions of written communication with your prospective employers. There will be opportunities to critique examples as well as learn the 'do's and don'ts' to ensure a professional application.

Effective self management in the workplaceMost jobs include team work and good personal organisation and, as such, employers will be looking for these skills as part of the application process. In this workshop you will be provided with an opportunity to identify what makes effective team work, what kind of team player you are, and practical ideas and strategies for using time more effectively to achieve better outputs.

Reflection for personal and professional developmentA common criticism of application forms is the lack of contextualising of your skills, experience and qualities to that of the role you are applying for. This workshop provides opportunities for you to reflect, identify evidence, and effectively present yourself in your application.

Self promotion and promotion of ideas in presentationsThis workshop will focus on presentation skills which may be required either as a ‘pitch’, or presentation of a topic as part of the recruitment process.

Using social media to develop an online profile Social media is a powerful tool for promoting yourself to companies and organisations. With a wealth of applications to choose from (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs and wikis) how do you know which is the most appropriate for you? This workshop gives an overview of some of the tools available and how you can use them to present yourself with a professional edge.

Verbal reasoning skills for psychometric testing This workshop will be of interest to students applying to graduate training schemes. Psychometric testing is often an early requirement of the recruitment process. This workshop will focus on the development of skills to support the verbal reasoning element of the psychometric tests. There will also be a ‘hands on’ opportunity to have a go at sample tests.

Writing a ‘polished’ personal statement The further information section of your application form is key to communicating who you are and why the employer should consider you for the role. This workshop will focus on the structure and content of your personal statement, together with tips and strategies for producing a ‘polished’ application.

Work Experience Opportunities at DMU: Frontrunners, Fuse Mentoring and DSU Volunteering A key element of your application for a job will be profiling your experience that relates to the position. Looking for opportunities to gain practical work experience? An open panel discussion outlining opportunities available at DMU will provide an overview of the potential benefits and pitfalls of getting involved.