Embedded Librarians: Beyond the Library's Walls

09-Dec-2009

The Iraq war brought us the concept of "embedded journalists." Now we have the concept of "embedded librarians." An embedded journalist is supposed to have better access to a story; an embedded librarian provides better access for students to him/herself and to the library's resources.
- Rebecca Hedreen, 4/29/2005 http://frequanq.blogspot.com/2005/04/embedded-librarians.html

While not overly fond of using terminology related to war, ISU librarians are committed to finding ways to outreach and build relationships across campus. We want to move information services beyond staffing the Parks Library Help & Information desk, participating in chat reference services, teaching Library160, and presenting the standard bibliographic workshops for individual courses. One way we're fulfilling this goal is by "embedding" librarians within various academic units across campus. Currently, three librarians have office hours outside the walls of Parks Library. Jeff Kushkowski is in room 2114 Gerdin on Tuesday mornings from 8:00am to noon; Dan Coffey has an office in the English Department in room 233 Ross on Tuesdays from 1:00-3:00pm; and Tobie Matava is in the Greenlee Reading Room on Mondays 2:00-4:00pm and Wednesdays 10:00am-noon.

If you are interested in having your subject librarian schedule office hours in your department/college, please contact them to work out the details.