Playing to Win: Embedded Librarians in Online Classrooms

The essay presents a quasi-case study of one academic librarian's experience as an embedded librarian in multiple online courses over a five-year period. Technology used included chat, email, and a librarian question-and-answer bulletin board inside an eCollege course management system, and a dedicated-use ElluminateLive! virtual training room for delivery of live resources training with the ability to record and post links inside courses for student reference. The author provides a procedural outline with key elements to consider when seeking administrative authorization to implement new library services, such as an embedded librarian feature in online courses.