Library Instruction West 2020

When faculty ask librarians to provide classroom instruction it is often when students need resources for a specific assignment in the near future.  Many times those assignments involve writing a formal paper, using academic materials, and in an academic setting.  But what happens once students graduate and enter the “real world?”  What happens when students start to ask, “How does this library ‘stuff’ help me outside of school?”

This presentation discusses the evolution of an embedded online information literacy microcourse used in a university first-year experience (FYE) course and its connection to career readiness. Participants will receive an overview of the microcourse, the diversity of the student body, and the reasoning behind choosing an online format over the previously used face-to-face format in order to more effectively serve this student population. Participants will then learn how this academic library has sought to support the campus FYE motto of “Know, Do, Become” through this microcourse, incorporating video interviews from professionals in our community. Each interviewee discusses their use of information in their profession with connections to issues such as justice, ethics, and diversity. The professionals conclude with the information-related skills they would look for when hiring future graduates. Participants will have the opportunity to view one of the videos and engage in a reflective activity similar to those that students engage in during the course. Finally, data from our microcourse reflections and final survey will be shared, as well as next steps based on this information and faculty feedback.