Library Learning Services

Goal One : Services - Library Learning Services (LLS) will meet the needs of current and future students and faculty through enhanced services that inspire learning and enable the discovery and delivery of information resources.

1.1 We will develop our physical spaces to become more student-centered environments that integrate information, technology, and learning. The Knowledge Commons at University Park will develop new services models that can be deployed throughout all campuses.          

    a. Collaboratively work towards implementation of the Knowledge Commons physical and virtual models of service, with Access Services, the subject libraries, ITS (including DLT and ETS), DUS and student support services.

    b. Develop leisure reading collection to encourage reading among Penn State students, and provide a space that is inviting and stimulating. Expand leisure reading programming to reach a wider variety of audiences in a number of formats and settings.

1.2. We will develop our highly visible services, resources, and expertise in collaboration with faculty, students, and corresponding academic programs.

    a. Reference: Expand e-reference, integrating VRS, e-mail, chat, IM and telephone into complementary services. Reexamine our current reference models and explore new ways of providing reference services via a variety of channels, including the integration of LLS e-reference initiatives with the UL initiatives.

    b. Service Desks: Establish and document competencies for staff at all service points, including customer service, security, referrals, information and welcoming desks. Create training materials, orientation checklist, and reference checklist, as well as online modules as necessary.  Maintain and expand the Knowledge Base as necessary.

    c. Learning: Develop tutorials and other online instructional materials for student learning, in collaboration with subject and campus librarians.

    d. Assessment: Continue to seek opportunities for assessment partnering on campus in support of instructional effectiveness, including NSSE and FACAC.

1.3. We will leverage our expertise and instructional partnerships to strengthen our students’ abilities to locate and evaluate information and advance ethical uses of that information.

    a. Teach library instruction sessions for ENGL 015, ENGL 030 honors, ESL 015, CAS 100, and other classes, in addition to workshops for the Penn State Community including Refworks/Endnote, Library Research Basics, and special topics (i.e. anti-plagiarism, evaluating and citing resources, eResearch Serminars, etc.).

    b. Provide technical support and serve as primary contacts for Refworks, Endnote, Zotero and other emerging citation management tools.

    c. Continue to offer additional instructional services including tours, proctoring tests, and research consultation.

    d. Support the growth of classes and activities toward co-curricular and other groups (student organizations, DUS, FTCAP, adult learners, international students, transfer students, student athletes, fraternities/sororities, Penn State staff, K-12 school groups, etc.).

    e. Build stronger infrastructure to support Libraries' instructional initiatives, including liaison with the departments that offer ENGL 015, ESL 015, and CAS 100 courses.

    f. Enhance support and development of credit instruction offerings focused on library studies and information literacy.

    g. Evaluate and improve the Libraries' presence in University-wide orientation programs.

1.4. We will emphasize the delivery of collections and consultation services in our users’ teaching, learning, and research environments, including classrooms, the World Campus, and Penn State Online.

    a. Define the Department or Unit with primary liaison responsibility for developing, maintaining and assessing services to the World Campus and other Penn State-affiliated online students.

    b. Continue to develop state-of-the-art Libraries instructional spaces, equipped with the latest learning technologies, to enable effective teaching and student discovery and learning.

    c. Build support for maintaining and providing training on instructional equipment and software, including those located in the instruction rooms.

1.5. We will promote information literacy as an essential learning outcome for all Penn State students.

    a. Utilize the yearly Open House as a major marketing tool for the Libraries.

    b. Continue to develop the Open House's instructional components, enriching the event and increasing student satisfaction.

    c. Develop tutorials and other online instructional materials that help students develop information literacy competencies.

    d. Continue active participation in the University's Coordinating Committee on University Assessment, advocating for the inclusion of information literacy in college-level curricular assessment, reform and within the general education requirements.

1.6. We will maintain and enhance our outreach role as a State-Wide Library Resource Center and as Pennsylvania’s land-grant university library system via state-wide and local collaborative endeavors that support educational and research activities of Pennsylvania’s citizens and our alumni.

    a. Continue active development of the Central PA K-16 Information Literacy Network. Expand reach and inclusiveness to a larger audience.

    b. Continue to offer tours and instructional sessions, and coordinate programming for local high school classes and local community groups (i.e., Osher Institute of Lifelong Learning); statewide initiatives (Summer Research Opportunities Program - SROP) and international programs (Humphrey Fellows).

1.7.  We will establish an active method of recording and assessing the initiatives stated in Goal One.

Goal Two : Collections - We will deliver excellent collections and information resources in support of scholarship and research worldwide, while promoting new models of scholarly communications based on the developing Cyberinfrastructure.

2.1. We will steward our collections with programs that support the creation, preservation and discovery of information in all formats for future generations of scholars.

    a. Advocate the web as a major avenue of worldwide information delivery for all members of the Penn State community.  Support active web products supplying information about services (i.e. room booking software, e-tours, etc.) and resources (i.e. ENGL 015, CAS 100 resource pages, etc.), widgets, jumpstart, e-tutorials.

    b. Advocate for general reference resources that support front line courses like ENGL 015 and CAS 100 (e.g. Opposing Viewpoints, CQ Researcher, etc.).

    c. Develop research and course guides as needed in support of front line courses like ENGL 015 and CAS 100 and for DUS students.

    d. Develop general reference resource web pages, in collaboration with other subject specialists and campus librarians.

2.2 We will establish an active method of recording and assessing the initiatives stated in Goal Two.

Goal Three : Information Technology - We will pursue strategic partnerships to develop and implement innovate information services and systems.

3.1. We will review our digital information systems, including the CAT and other discovery tools, to identify next generation applications and services that make it easier to access information of all types.

    a. Advocate a full technology accessible environment - full wireless + all software running on Penn State lab computers and full printing services), available computer consultant/help desk human support, and the appropriate/welcoming physical environment (e.g. laptop oasis) for laptop usage in the Libraries.

    b. Participate in the coming Knowledge Commons - a knowledge creation environment, including film and sound studios, multimedia mixing rooms, workshops on new multimedia and multimodal technologies (cooperate with student tutors), projection/presentation/practice rooms. Collaborate with the current Digital Commons initiative.

    c. Continue to advocate for the user and develop responsive public services, as new discovery tools are adopted and implemented online.

    d. Develop teaching and learning offerings that enable easy use of existing and new discovery tools, including the CAT and other online resources.

    e. Collaborate and experiment with ITS Classroom and Lab Computing and ITS Consulting and Support Services about new services and service models.

    f. Continue to guide the user-centered development of library tools and widgets (e.g.Libraries Facebook application), in collaboration with I-Tech and Libraries' Web Steering.

    g. Explore the instructional and service utility of the mobile Web, in collaboration with appropriate groups, including I-Tech and Libraries' Web Steering.

3.2. We will continue to explore and develop new technologies relevant to user needs and cutting-edge services and instruction.  As a result of these explorations, we will advocate for and collaborate with Libraries faculty and staff in support of adoption and implementation of relevant new technologies, platforms, and services in emerging online environments.

    a. Lead the University Libraries and the University in applying Web 2.0 and 3.0 technologies to online information, library collections, and services. Share these with the University and Library communities through workshops, seminars and online learning materials (i.e. eResearch Seminars).

    b. Establish and implement "Laboratory" environment in which the staff and faculty of the Department of Library Learning Services will formally explore emerging technology applications, test out new library/information technologies (i.e. software programs, portable devices. etc.) and accompanying behavior/education, with implementation and assessment/evaluation protocols.  Cooperate with I-Tech, ITS (DLT, ETS, and others).

3.3. We will collaborate closely with groups across campus charged with assessing and implementing new technologies, including ITS Emerging Technologies and Teaching and Learning with Technology, Digital Library Technologies, I-Tech, the Next Gen Catalog Team, Web Steering, the Web Tools and Discovrability Team, the Technology Evaluation Group, the Social Networking Group, and other groups as appropriate.

    a. LLS will participate and provide leadership to these initiatives, including Web Steering, Next Gen Catalog Team, Handheld devices, etc.

3.4. We will establish an active method of recording and assessing the initiatives stated in Goal Three.

Goal Four : Diversity - We will embrace diversity in thought and culture to promote the free expression of ideas among all members of the Penn State community.

4.1. We will enhance and maintain a welcoming climate that promotes equitable access to information, and have civility and respect for all members of the Penn State community.

    a. Employ the Knowledge Commons model as a means for encouraging all our faculty and staff to develop an in-depth knowledge in new areas, such as multimedia creation and effective use of cutting-edge technologies.

    b. Expand programs and services for diverse audiences (i.e. international students, adult learners, students with disabilities, etc.).

    c. Create a physical environment conducive to championing a diverse community (i.e. art space, plasma screen, disability accessible services, etc.) Equip all Libraries' instruction rooms with microphones and other needed equipment to ensure accessibility for all.

    d. Foster diversity through the selection of Leisure Reading Collection titles that represent a wide variety of cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

4.2. We will enhance professional development opportunities for all employees, enabling them to assume leadership roles and develop expertise required to serve a diverse community.

    a. Promote information literacy skills for Penn State employees by offering courses through HRDC and ITS Training Services. Provide professional development program opportunities for the entire Penn State community on library research basis and in applying web 2.0 technologies to library resources (i.e. eResearch desktop)

    b. Continue to participate in professional development programs, such as mastering supervision.

    c. Support the participation of staff and faculty at both Library and non-Library-sponsored diversity programs.

    d. Recruit and retain a diverse workforce.

4.3.  We will establish an active method of recording and assessing the initiatives stated in Goal Four.

Goal Five : Agility - We will be an agile organization that proactively addresses the changing needs of our patrons and employees.

5.1. We will emphasize continued employee development and training programs to improve the skills and knowledge of our work force to better serve our patrons.

    a. Develop new classes to educate the Penn State community about information resources and new technologies.

    b. Consider developing a online or print resource shelf of professional development and technical readings for LLS faculty and staff.

    c. Form action committees, both permanent and ad hoc, to investigate problems, concerns, tasks with a specific timeline, deadlines, and record keeping.

    d. Maintain Departmental agility, efficiency and flexibility, concerning physical changes and building constructions.

    e. Develop new service models that better serve our patrons, are cost effective, and work towards the future knowledge commons.

5.2.  We will establish an active method of recording and assessing the initiatives stated in Goal Five.

Library Learning Services
814.865.9257
Gateway Desk
814.865.6368
instruct@psulias.psu.edu