JM2010 Contributed Paper: Networking with USC’s School of Pharmacy to Engage Students in Information Finding
Posted on January 29, 2010 by ebrennan | No Comments
By Marcus Banks, MLIS, Manager of Education and Research Services; UC San Francisco Library and Center for Knowledge Management
Networking with USC’s School of Pharmacy to Engage Students in Information Finding. Joe Pozdol, Medical Information Specialist, USC Norris Medical Library
In this extremely informative session Pozdol offered a 10 step recipe for success in increasing library involvement within the curriculum and social life of USC’s School of Pharmacy. At USC, Pozdol has seen a five-fold increase in involvement within the school’s curriculum, from teaching within one class to involvement in five. Pozdol stressed the importance of people skills, meeting students and faculty members in their own environments rather than hoping they come to the library, and of always connecting library activities to some larger context rather than developing workshops or trainings in isolation.
Here’s the 10 step plan:
- Request an initial meeting, perhaps with the Chair of the Curriculum Committee, to learn about opportunities for library involvement
- Attend faculty events, both professional and personal. Pozdol attends the curriculum planning retreat as well as the holiday party
- Join school committees, which offers a way to meet faculty and contribute to the life of the school
- Identify key players. Who actually gets things DONE? Sometimes will be people with lofty titles, but not always
- Support student activities, from buying a fundraiser item to helping with a social event. Pozdol also attended student outreach efforts to LA’s homeless population.
- Become a trusted friend. This is the payoff for all the activities described, and will open new doors over time.
- Seek faculty input on what to teach, rather than simply describing what we teach. This has led to opportunities to teach website evaluation, plagiarism prevention, and Google search tips.
- Look for new opportunities, such as the chance to give supporting lectures in courses.
- Use novel teaching approaches, including in-class student feedback tools like Turning Point.
- Integrate into curriculum. Never do anything in isolation, and utilize the school’s resources as much as possible.
This was a very useful presentation for increasing involvement in all schools, and USC’s School of Pharmacy is fortunate to have a resource like Pozdol on their side.
Tags: 10 step plan > contributed paper > engage students > information > JM2010 > pharmacy
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