Changing Trenches, Changing Tactics: A Library's Frontline Redesign in a New CMS

Abstract

Advances in technology, evolving user behaviors, the need for educational institutions to explore cost-saving strategies—all frequently force academic librarians into a state of forced adaptation. Librarians at Miami University's Hamilton campus took the challenge of a university change in course management systems and turned it into an opportunity to review and ultimately redesign their embedded library course pages. This paper describes their research, exploration, and experience taking “best practices” and turning them into “actual practices.”

KEYWORDS:

• distance learning
• embedded librarianship
• academic librarians
• learning management systems
• academic support
• faculty collaboration
• course management systems
• blackboard
• Sakai