1st Edition
Leading Dynamic Information Literacy Programs Best Practices and Stories from Instruction Coordinators
Leading Dynamic Information Literacy Programs delves into the library instruction coordinator’s work. Each chapter is written by practicing coordinators, who share their experiences leading information literacy programs that are nimble, responsive, and supportive of student learning.
The volume discusses the work of instruction coordinators within five thematic areas: Claiming our Space: Library Instruction in the Landscape of Higher Education; Moving and Growing Together; Curriculum Development; Meaningful Assessment; and Leading Change. Readers will gain insight from their colleagues’ advice for situating information literacy within the higher education institution, developing meaningful curricula, and using assessment in productive ways. Many of the stories represent a departure from traditional models of library instruction. In addition, this book is sure to spark inspiration for innovative approaches to program leadership and development, including strategies for growing communities of practice.
From leadership skills and techniques, methods for cultivating shared values, pedagogical approaches, team building, assessment strategies – and everything in between – the aspiring or practicing instruction coordinator has much to gain from reading this work.
Introduction
Anne C. Behler, Editor
Part I. Claiming our Space: Library instruction in the landscape of higher education
Chapter 1. Navigating a Shifting Landscape: Information Literacy in Higher Education
Clarence Maybee
Chapter 2. Situating Information Literacy within the Institution: Building a Dynamic Program
Mary MacDonald
Part II. Moving and Growing Together
Chapter 3. Program Foundations: Establishing Values, Boundaries, and Priorities
Rebecca Miller Waltz
Chapter 4. From Individual to Community: Building a Community of Practice Around Teaching
Rachel W. Gammons, Yelena Luckert, Anastasia Armendariz, Lindsay Inge Carpenter
Part III. Curriculum Development
Chapter 5. Instruction by Design: Embedding the Library into Curriculum Design
Rachel I. Wightman
Chapter 6. The Right Tools for the Job: Integrating a Variety of Instructional Modes into an Information Literacy Program
Dani Brecher Cook
Part IV. Meaningful Assessment
Chapter 7. Improving Information Literacy Instruction through Programmatic Student Learning Assessment
Maoria J. Kirker, Ashley Blinstrub
Part V. Leading Change
Chapter 8. That’s not the way we’ve Always Done it: Coordinating Research Instruction with Innovation, Teamwork, Assessment, and Collaboration
Emily Z. Brown, Susan Souza-Mort
Chapter 9. Time for a Reboot! Making Space for Instruction Program Development
Anne C. Behler
Appendices
Biography
Anne C. Behler is Information Literacy Librarian and Instruction Coordinator for the Library Learning Services department of the Penn State University Libraries, where she leads curriculum innovation for foundational information literacy instruction. Behler’s recent scholarship explores instruction delivery strategies and leading instruction communities of practice.
"[...] Behler points out that “space and time” are themes found throughout the book’s chapters and that the transformative work of instruction program development is “incremental and cumulative”. Additional themes include the importance of support from library administration in program development, aligning program goals with those of the larger institution, and the ways in which information literacy can be integrated throughout the higher education curriculum and community in partnership with university programs and committees. Further, several chapters mention librarian workload and the need for rethinking information literacy delivery models to promote sustainability and more effective opportunities for learning at the students’ point of need. Though aimed at instruction coordinators, this volume includes insightful reflections and examples that can inspire any academic librarian whose responsibilities include instruction and offers ideas that can be adopted in a wide variety of institutions and contexts." ~ Amanda Dinscore, Cal Poly Humboldt (COMMUNICATIONS IN INFORMATION LITERACY | VOL. 17, NO. 2, 2023, Article 14, p590)
