(P231) Embedding librarians in the classroom: a case study at HKUST Library

Mar 30, 2012 | 5/6/2012 (1335-1510), Learning & Users | 0 comments

The introduction of new 3-3-4 academic structure have unprecedented impacts on the curriculum design, pedagogies and student learning styles for higher education institutions in Hong Kong. As a vibrant organization, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) aims to pilot innovative programs and brings novel learning experience to students. The new curriculum emphasizes the student-centric approach, with new teaching initiatives to enhance students learning and personal development. Apart from equipping students with sound knowledge in specialized subject areas, graduates are also expected to develop high-level, transferable competencies including critical thinking, leadership, teamwork and information literacy.

For many years, the Library has been offering information literacy instructions in all means through orientation programs, course-related classes, credit-bearing information literacy course, database workshops and web-based tutorials. To support the new 3-3-4 pedagogical reforms, the Library must be proactive in promoting ourselves to faculty and students as their partners in teaching, learning and research. The librarians must also recognize users‘ information needs and behaviors in order to deliver effective, relevant and creative services.

In spring, 2011, two reference librarians were invited to join a newly developed engineering course; worked closely with undergraduate students and faculty on solutions to real world challenges throughout the semester. It was the first time HKUST librarians embedded in a course. This collaboration not only strengthened our relationship with faculty and students, it also helped us better understand the learning and information-seeking behaviors of our young generations, and gave us directions on what and how to redeploy our resources to support users‘ changing needs in the future. This paper chronicles the faculty-librarian collaboration; follows by the discussion of emerging opportunities and challenges for embedded librarianship in one of the signature courses at the HKUST.

Kevin K.M. Ho
Kevin K.M. Ho Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library

Kevin currently serves as a business librarian at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from McGill University and obtained his Master degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario in 2004. With his business and financial background, Kevin is designated as the liaison librarian for the School of Business and Management.

Eunice S.P. Wong
Eunice S.P. Wong Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library

Eunice Wong is currently Bibliographic Instruction Librarian at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library, she is responsible for coordinating the Library’s information literacy program; incorporating active learning and outcome based assessment in library instructions. She is also a subject librarian for the School of Engineering and active in teaching instructional classes. Her latest interest is exploring new ways to strengthen connection with Library users and enhance their learning experience by different means of social media.

Eunice received a Master’s degree in Information Management-Librarianship from University of New South Wales, Australia, and a Master of Science in Computing degree from the City University of Hong Kong.

 

 

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