The Politics of Embedding: Library as Partner not Support Service

1
The Politics of Embedding Library as Partner not
Support Service

• Peter Stubley

2
Drivers for change

• National Higher Education policies
• University finances subject to global impact
• The strategic student
• The student as customer
• Dissatisfaction with the Library

3
Library change

• Budgets static or reduced
• Student satisfaction surveys
• The size of modules 300450 students
• The Bangor effect

4
The Library response

• The New Partnership
• Emphasis on dialogue re-engaging with
  departments
• The Library learning teaching toolkit
• Resource lists
• Electronic offprints (special digitised articles)
• Course packs
• Information Skills Module (in WebCT)

5
Pedagogical developments

• Expert knowledge vs. practitioner knowledge
• Changes in teaching methods need for a
  reflective practicum
• Changes in institutional structures
• e.g. Learning and Teaching Development Group
• Faculty Directors of Learning and Teaching
• Departmental Learning and Teaching Advocates
• Centres of Excellence in Teaching and Learning

6
Progressing the New Partnership

• Targeted six book-based departments
• Worked with Heads of Department, Directors of
  Teaching, module convenors
• Information availability expectations of students
  and academic staff (e.g. what is a reading list?)
• Customisation and embedding of Information Skills
  Module (complete or as learning objects)

7
Embedding in the University

• New Partnership Information Literacy two key
  themes in Librarys new Strategic Plan
• Accepted as way forward by Universitys Senior
  Management Group at Librarys Strategic Planning
  Review
• Presentation to Senior Management Group/Heads of
  Department Meeting

8
The Library is not

• the corner shop.