Creating a Role for Embedded Librarians Within an Active Learning Environment

ABSTRACT

In 2013, the librarians at a small academic health sciences library reevaluated their mission, vision, and strategic plan to expand their roles. The school was transitioning to a new pedagogical culture and a new building designed to emphasize interprofessional education and active learning methodologies. Subsequent efforts to implement the new strategic plan resulted in the librarians joining curriculum committees and other institutional initiatives, such as an Active Learning Task Force, and participating in faculty development workshops. This participation has increased visibility and led to new roles and opportunities for librarians.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic health sciences librarians
• active learning
• collaboration
• curriculum
• embedded librarians
• interprofessional education
• medical education

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge contributions to this article made by their colleague Wendy Lehar, MLIS, AHIP. Wendy, an avid mountain biker and a tree hugger, passed away on December 26, 2016. The authors also acknowledge the Greater Midwest Region Office of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine for financial support of an active learning workshop.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dawn E. Hackman

Dawn E. Hackman, MS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Research & Education Librarian and Northeast Clinical Campus Librarian, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 1301 North Columbia Road Stop 9037, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037.

Marcia J. Francis

Marcia J. Francis, MA, MEd, AHIP ([email protected]) is Southwest Clinical Campus Librarian, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 701 East Rosser Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501.

Erika Johnson

Erika Johnson, MLIS ([email protected]) is Southeast Clinical Campus Librarian, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 1919 North Elm Street, Fargo, ND 58102.

Annie Nickum

Annie Nickum, BSN, MLIS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Research & Education Librarian, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 1301 North Columbia Road Stop 9037, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037.

Kelly Thormodson

Kelly Thormodson, MLIS ([email protected]) is Director of Library Resources, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 1301 North Columbia Road Stop 9037, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037.