An orientation for academic librarians and staff

Deidre BlackSLIS 5365.001Instruction Assignment

Objectives of this Objectives of this orientation:orientation: That librarians and staff learn the

duties of personal librarians within the scope of the new program.

Librarians and staff become acquainted with the proposed new website associated with this program.

Librarians and staff ask any questions they may have.

A personal librarian acts as a student’s direct link to library information, instruction and assistance.

A personal librarian educates students in effective usage of library resources and services.

A personal librarian helps students start searches and projects.

A personal librarian assists students in locating useful and reputable resources.

A personal librarian answers students’ library-related questions via email, phone or in person.

A personal librarian keeps students informed of library news, updates or happenings via email blasts.

Each librarian will be assigned Each librarian will be assigned students from one of the following students from one of the following schools/departments:schools/departments:

Health and KinesiologyEpidemiology and Public HealthPharmacyNursingMedicine

On the medical sciences library homepage, students type their information into a search bar in order to find their personal librarian. A link takes them to their librarian’s “bio” page.

What “bio” information will be What “bio” information will be available on the website? available on the website?

A photo of each librarianThe librarian’s work email addressThe librarian’s work phone number

*Your photos will be taken on March 19th and 20th.

Website Content DevelopmentWebsite Content Development

Library staff is assigned the task of compiling web content for the personal librarian website. This web content will be compiled from March 23rd through April 20th, when it will be delivered to the IT Department. Content development tasks will be assigned to staff by management.

Website Content DevelopmentWebsite Content Development

Note: Note: Those staff members who are currently working on other projects will not be given additional tasks associated with this project. If any member of staff feels they have a valid conflict that hinders them from working on this project, please address these concerns to your supervisor as soon as possible.

Website Development & OrientationWebsite Development & Orientation

After April 20th, work on the website will be covered by the IT Department, in partnership with the dean and library director.

In August, after the website’s completion, librarians and staff will attend sessions in order to orient themselves with the new website and ask any questions they may have.

The website goes public on August 24th.

Why adopt the Personal Librarian Why adopt the Personal Librarian Program?Program?Our project is modeled after the successful Personal Librarian Program at Yale University, which has been in place since 1996.

It was determined by our dean and director that the Personal Librarian Program would also be a good fit for our medical sciences library.

The Personal Librarian Program will strengthen the library’s mission and vision in facilitating excellence within the university and providing students with the best information, access and education possible.

PublicityPublicityStudents and their professors will receive email information concerning the program.

Students must first establish a university email address in order to receive this information and future updates.

A link to the Personal Librarian Homepage will be added to the university website’s main page.

The university newspaper will run a story.

The Program in MotionThe Program in MotionThe Personal Librarian Program and website both launch on August 24th, before the fall semester begins on August 31st.

Note: Note: Librarians must pay special attention to their inboxes and voicemail once the program begins, in order to maintain close contact with students.

Timeline:Timeline:March 16-20: Librarians presented with details of the new programMarch 16-20: Librarians participate in mandatory orientation and feedback sessionsMarch 23-April 20: Select staff members work with the director on web contentApril 20: Page-by-page web content and instructions delivered to IT DepartmentMay 1: Web development of the new Personal Librarian Program site will beginJune 1: IT Department will report its progress at a meeting with the dean and library directorJuly 1: IT Department will report its progress at a meeting with the dean and library director

Timeline, Continued:Timeline, Continued:August 1: IT will make its final report to the dean and directorAugust 5: All web development completedAugust 6: IT will present completed website to the dean, library director and managementAugust 10-14: Library staff will attend a one-hour orientation meeting with IT and the library director (3 available dates)August 24: Official launch of the Personal Librarian Program and websiteAugust 24: First email blast issued to medical sciences studentsAugust 31: First day of the fall semester