Best practices for online embedded librarians supporting graduate business students

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the best practices for online embedded librarians utilizing the learning management system and other technology tools with graduate business students. Communication logs of support interactions with an embedded librarian and discussion board posts within the learning management system were analyzed. The number of and primary reason for communication by email, individual instruction meetings, and discussion board views, replies, and questions from January 2021 to August 2021 with a total of 318 students in graduate level business courses with an embedded librarian were analyzed. The primary reason for interaction and support was equally divided between research and citation support. Graduate students preferred to interact with the embedded librarian by email followed by individual instruction meetings. The communication tools within the learning management system were essential to providing support to graduate business students.

Keywords:

• business students
• embedded librarianship
• graduate students
• learning management systems
• online academic librarians

Acknowledgment

I would like to thank the University Librarian, Dr. Van Kampen-Breit, Dr. Dale Mancini, Doctor of Business Administration Program Director, and Dr. Pamela Lee, Master of Business Administration Program Director for their permission to write this article. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Saint Leo University.

Disclosure statement

The author reports no conflicts to disclose and there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research supporting data is not available.