“When people use their librarian, it is a win-win-win!”
– Shelley Bailey, MSW
Background
This is my first time having a liaison, and I’ve discovered it takes a load off me as an instructor and allows my students to get better grades.
Expectations
I trust my liaison librarian to initiate and invite direct communication with my students and myself about department specific needs.
What Works
My liaison librarian does incredible things whenever I ask, and I know [she] is willing to do more than I have even opened my mind to. I am always in awe to have [her] as an extra help.
Advice to Librarians
Be approachable, and go to as many department specific meetings as possible to share what you can do. Also offer to meet with faculty between semesters to examine upcoming courses’ syllabi and help revamp research assignments.
Shelley Bailey, MSW, is a faculty member in the Social Work Program at East Central University in Ada, Ok.
“I know I can count on [My Liaison Librarian] to check in, see what I need, and be open to new ideas to better serve students.” – Megan Donelson, PhD
Background
I’ve worked with librarians for 10 years at various types of schools, but this is my first time working with a liaison, and it is much more conducive to active collaboration, because I have just one contact person.
Expectations
I see [My Liaison Librarian] as being more than just a resource, because [she] can be more proactive about collaboration, and I know I can count on [her] to be continually working on new ideas.
What Works
Everything is tailored to how I specifically teach my sections of courses, rather than having a general format with minor adjustments.
Advice to Librarians
Make it clear that they [The Faculty Member] is not burdening you [the Librarian] by collaborating and vice versa. Also make it clear collaboration doesn’t increase anyone’s workload and makes everyone more effective.
Megan Donelson, PhD, is a faculty member in the English & Languages Department at East Central University in Ada, OK.
This is What a Librarian Looks Like: Oklahoma Edition
Description
A new digital gallery show, hosted by Schusterman Library at OU-Tulsa, displaying pictures and bios of Oklahoma Librarians. The show is created and curated by two Graduate Research Assistants who are also OU SLIS students
Inspiration
The idea for the project resulted from the collaboration of our librarians at the Schusterman Library during their annual retreat. The book by Kyle Cassidy, This is What a Librarian Looks Like, also helped inspire the exhibit idea and design.
Goals
“We wanted to use this exhibit to be an educational tool that shows what librarians do how they both embrace and defy the stereotypical librarian and how they serve the community through programs, services, and classes.”
Response
“We were overwhelmed by the positive feedback we received from the librarians who participated and how excited they were to share what they do and the programs, services, or classes they have been a part of.”
“It was inspiring to see how passionate these librarians are about their profession and how active they are in their communities.”
How to See the Exhibit
“We are currently working on a website that will display all of the contents presented in the exhibit. This way we can reach the librarians who could not make it down for the exhibit, but wanted to see the final product. We are also hoping to add a feature where librarians can add their profiles directly to the website to help expand the librarian profiles and provide a more diversified look at Oklahoma information professionals.”
“This has been an incredible opportunity that has allowed us to showcase what librarians do in Oklahoma and how they impact our community, and I am truly happy to have been a part of it!”
Tracy Ashby is a Graduate Assistant at the OU Schusterman Library with a degree in History from Louisiana State University and expected to graduate with her MLIS from OU in 2019.
Marla Lobley, Chair – Public Services Librarian, East Central University.
“I was excited to join COIL because I wanted to learn from other instruction librarians instead of having to reinvent the wheel.”
Holly Luetkenhaus, Chair-Elect – First Year Experience Librarian, Oklahoma State University
“[COIL] is a very hard-working, supportive community. It is very fulfilling and reassuring to meet and talk with others who carry the same kinds of values and priorities that you do.
Calantha Tillotson, Secretary – Instructional Services Librarian, East Central University
“I look forward to the unCOILed workshop every summer, as it allows me to laugh and learn with my fellow librarians who share my passion for information literacy instruction.
Cristina Colquhoun, Webmaster – Instructional Designer, Oklahoma State University
“Through COIL, I’ve met awesome librarians and have bettered my practice through the workshops! I highly recommend COIL to anyone working in library instruction in OK.”
