January 2001 — Features

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Faculty and Reference Librarians A Virtual Dynamic Duo

A significant portion of the course is devoted to research strategy using Boolean logic. Specific databases studied are LINCCWeb, WebLUIS, FirstSearch, and Britannica Online. The SFCC Library research skill course, Electronic Access to Information, is a one-credit course, initially offered in 1998. This is a Web-based course focusing on methods of accessing information resources available through the Internet, including FirstSearch and LINCCWeb. Those enrolled will learn how to design effective search strategies, retrieve, evaluate, and cite Internet resources.

Reference librarians are available during hours of library operation to guide and instruct students in using library tools, such as LINCC, Florida's Library Information Network for Community Colleges. LINCC provides automated library services to the state's 28 community colleges and to their campus libraries. SFCC Library User Services Coordinator and Reference Librarian, Sherry Dupree, Ed. S., reports, "SFCC librarians have taught more than 260 classes – by faculty request – in the 14 months since the online registration for courses in LI began. On average, 16 classes were taught per month in 1999. The 260 classes that have been taught represent a 93% response rate to faculty requests for research strategy workshops or LI lectures" (Dupree, personal E-mail correspondence, February 2000).

 

X@XOpenTag006Faculty and Student Evaluative Feedback

X@XCloseTag006On the national landscape, the image of the librarian is finally changing (Los Angeles Times 1999). At the grassroots level, LI instruction continues to evolve at SFCC. To be sure, there are growing pains. According to Dupree, feedback from faculty indicates the following problematic areas:

  • Classes are too short.
  • Computers are too sparse.
  • Students need a computer when the librarian teaches a class.
  • Library is too small (plans to build a new library at SFCC are underway).
  • Handouts should show more Web sites and scientific ways to find Web sites.

Students' complaints center primarily on server downtime and the subsequent inability to access the SFCC home page. On the positive side, both faculty and students consistently rate the library staff as helpful and accommodating in providing holistic, quality education to SFCC students. Evaluations from the research strategy workshops and library instruction classes indicate that the courses are considered useful and important to student participants.

The internal partnership between faculty and reference librarians at SFCC is a collaborative union that forms an ideal conduit for actualization of a student-centered, learning-centered environment, as well as incorporation of technology in traditional classroom instruction. As a virtual dynamic duo, faculty members and reference librarians help to support an active learning environment in which students can enhance their research skills, become familiar with electronic communications, and utilize information technology.

Dr. Ruby Evans is a professor of mathematics and statistics at Santa Fe Community College, and was recognized in 1998 as an Outstanding Faculty member by the college. In 1999, SFCC selected Evans as a runner-up/finalist for the SFCC Chapter of the Florida Association of Community Colleges Professor of the Year Award. She has been featured as an innovative community college educator in