Systems Thinking and Arts Integration Through Library Educational Programming on a STEM Campus

Abstract

Librarians have moved beyond traditional information literacy instruction to an environment in which they create strong partnerships with the campus faculty, community, and beyond. The article addresses these specialized partnerships in a unique library program, providing an overview of newly formed educational initiatives at the Georgia Tech Library. This article discusses the genesis of the Communication through Art program (http://art.library.gatech.edu), how it was structured, how the program expanded, how projects were designed, future implications, and the methods of assessment. This program brings librarians, artists, campus educators, and community members together in course project design and implementation.

Keywords:

• Collaboration
• Pedagogy
• Instructional Design
• Program Development
• Arts Integration
• Instruction
• Curriculum

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Kirk Henderson, artist Ashley Schick, Jerushia Graham, Virginia Howell at the Georgia Tech Paper Museum, and to the instructors who were willing to experiment with new models of instruction, including those whose course projects are referenced in this article: Joy Bracewell, Robin Wharton, Jennifer Leavy, Jung Choi, Kate Holterhoff, Laine Nooney, Rebecca Fitzsimmons, Courtney Hoffman, and Patrick Ellis.

Additional information

Funding

This program has been funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Sparks Grant SP-02-16-0031-16 (https://www.imls.gov/grants/awarded/sp-02-16-0031-16).