My teaching and service responsibilities as Web Services Librarian at Lansing Community College Library include coordinating the library website, providing reference services, teaching information literacy, and acting as liaison to faculty in English as a Second Language, Speech, Developmental Writing, eLearning, and English.
Web Services
My work with the Library website involves training staff in the creation of content, managing the review of website content, and conducting ongoing usability testing. Part of my duties include leading the Website Improvement Team (WIT).
I manage not only the library website, but all of the library’s web presence:
- LibGuides, a content management system for research guides
- Library staff community in Desire2Learn
- STARS Tutorial
- Library presence in Desire2Learn, the course management system and myLCC, the campus portal.
In addition to observing website usage, I collect and use data from Google Analytics and Crazy Egg to improve the website.
My experience providing reference and instruction informs my work as manager of the library website. Every day I see students and faculty using the library website which gives me insight into improvements that are needed. This helps immensely in my work with the library website, as I get constant feedback on how the website is actually being used by patrons.
Reference
I provide reference services to students, faculty, and staff, as well as the public in-person, by email, phone, and through chat and text reference. At the Reference Desk, I help students at all stages of the research process, from finding a topic, to finding sources, to refining their topic, to citing sources. I view the reference desk as an extension of instruction in the classroom and work to teach patrons learn to help themselves rather than doing the research for them. Challenges at the reference desk include patrons who arrive at the desk with their paper already written who just need some sources because their instructor requires them, students with low level literacy skills who find navigating electronic resources challenging. Questions range from students looking for a book on their topic, to students in Master’s programs at the University Center who are looking for peer-reviewed sources. I assist in managing a collaborative virtual reference service with other colleges which involves training staff and monitoring transcripts for service quality.
Instruction
I teach information literacy to students in a wide range of classes. Each semester I teach approximately 20 library instruction sessions for students. The majority of classes I teach are writing courses, such as Writing 121 and Writing 122, but I also work with students from a variety of other classes. Most sessions are one to two hours long. Faculty schedule library instruction to help students complete assignments in their course. Faculty are required to be present in library instruction sessions and some instructors are so involved that we team teach instruction sessions. I also help coordinate the online information literacy tutorial for students, STARS: Students Tackle Academic Research Skills, and the assessment of our information literacy sessions using the college course management system, Desire2Learn.
Below is a list of courses I did library instruction for from 2012-2015:
Liaison
My liaison responsibilities include outreach in the form of presentations at program meetings, selecting materials, and meeting with faculty one on one. The liaison area that I have been most involved with is the English department as we provide library instruction for the majority of students in Writing 121 and Writing 122 and a large number of students in English 122. I attend not only program meetings for English, but also course meetings for Writing 121 and 122.
I also serve on campus-wide committees including the eLearning Advisory Board (now the Online Curriculum Committee), the Gateways to Completion Advisory Committee, and an informal Teaching with Technology group through the Center for Teaching Excellence.
I plan and facilitate faculty development workshops through the Center for Teaching Excellence. In addition, I present workshops for student services and Library staff about writing for the web and instructional technology. I also provide ongoing training for Web Improvement Team members in Google Analytics and usability testing.
Below is a list of workshops I have presented for staff and faculty:
