A Self-Paced Online Library Orientation: Development, Implementation, and Assessment

Abstract

Health sciences librarians may find it difficult to meet demands for in-person or online synchronous library orientations for various reasons, including short-staffing of librarians, expansion of online programs, and temporary campus closures caused by emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors discuss the development, implementation, and assessment of an asynchronous online orientation tutorial created for use across various health sciences degree, certificate, and training programs. The tutorial can either replace or supplement synchronous orientations, and the original tutorial can be copied and customized for specific programs.

Keywords:

• Asynchronous
• health sciences
• instruction
• library orientation
• tutorial

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hannah M. Schilperoort

Hannah M. Schilperoort, MLIS, MA ([email protected]) is the Head of the Wilson Dental Library at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Amy J. Chatfield

Amy J. Chatfield, MLS ([email protected]) is an Information Services Librarian at the Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Jennifer E. Dinalo

Jennifer E. Dinalo, PhD, MLIS ([email protected]) is a Clinical Information Services Librarian at the Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Karin J. Saric

Karin J. Saric, MLIS ([email protected]) is an Information Services Librarian at the Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Holly J. Thompson

Holly J. Thompson, MSLIS ([email protected]) is the Head of the Science & Engineering Library at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Annie M. Thompson

Annie M. Thompson, MSLS ([email protected]) is the Head of the Norris Medical Library at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.