Subject Librarians and VLEs in Irish Universities: level of involvement, attitudes and challenges

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are used by educational institutions as content delivery platforms that connect students, academics and administration together. In this context, subject librarians can utilise VLEs to increase visibility and use of library resources, improve collaboration with the faculty and enhance information literacy instruction delivery. The article reports on a study that aimed to identify trends in subject librarians’ use of VLEs and makes a contribution to a better understanding of influencing factors and challenges experienced by subject librarians in relation to their use of online tools and involvement in VLEs to deliver course-specific support.

[1]  Claire McGuinness Information skills training practices in Irish higher education , 2009, Aslib Proc..

[2]  Jon Jeffryes,et al.  Integration Innovation: Launching the Library into a Course Management System , 2011 .

[3]  Elizabeth L. Black,et al.  Linking Students to Library Resources through the Learning Management System , 2010 .

[4]  Scott Walter,et al.  Librarians as Teachers: A Qualitative Inquiry into Professional Identity , 2008 .

[5]  Danielle P. De Jager-Loftus Value-Added Technologies for Liaison and Outreach , 2009 .

[6]  Philip Russell Information literacy support for off-campus students by academic libraries in the Republic of Ireland , 2008 .

[7]  Janine Bhandol,et al.  The Academic Librarian: Buying Into, Playing Out, and Resisting the Teacher Role in Higher Education , 2013 .

[8]  Steven Lonn,et al.  Faculty Usage of Library Tools in a Learning Management System , 2014, Coll. Res. Libr..

[9]  Tom Page,et al.  Evaluating the Impact of Academic Liaison Librarians on Their User Community: A Review and Case Study , 2011 .

[10]  Emily Daly Embedding library resources into learning management systems: A way to reach Duke undergrads at their points of need , 2010 .

[11]  Marianne A. Buehler Where Is the Library in Course Management Software? , 2004 .

[12]  Mariela Hristova Library Widget for Moodle , 2013 .

[13]  Nuala Harding,et al.  Usage and Uptake of Virtual Learning Environments in Ireland: Findings from a Multi Institutional Study , 2011 .

[14]  John D. Shank,et al.  Establishing our presence in courseware: Adding library services to the virtual classroom , 2003 .

[15]  Cni Sparc Arl,et al.  New Roles of Liaison Librarians: A Liaison's Perspective (Aug. 2009) , 2009 .

[16]  Jamie Ward Applying E-learning Technologies to Library Information Literacy Instruction , 2010 .

[17]  Sheila Corrall,et al.  The subject librarian and the virtual learning environment: A study of UK universities , 2011, Program.

[18]  Catherine Essinger,et al.  Outreach: What Works? , 2013 .

[19]  Aaron Bowen,et al.  A LibGuides presence in a Blackboard environment , 2012 .

[20]  Karen Okamoto,et al.  "Can't Anyone Be a Teacher Anyway?": Student Perceptions of Academic Librarians as Teachers , 2010 .