The University of Cincinnati Libraries (UCL) is developing an exciting new team of informationists, specialists in research data services who are a hybrid of outreach/embedded librarian and data librarian, to partner with research faculty and students. UCL recently hired three informationist positions to serve data-generating researchers at UC, and plans to hire another social science informationist in the near future. UC informationists are working on several exciting new projects including the creation of new bioinformatics workshops, partnering with an otolaryngology research team, organizing a geographic information system (GIS) working group and GIS events at UC, and providing research assistance for clinical research teams. In addition, the informationists regularly interact with and serve as members of key governance committees and collaborate with the Offices of Research and Information Technology. The informationist team is also moving two key strategic initiatives forward: the development of formalized research data services and the creation of health informatics support from the Health Sciences Library. Both of these initiatives are helping us to develop models for cross-institutional collaboration.
The University of Cincinnati Health Sciences Library (HSL) surveyed all first-year medical students about electronic books (eBooks) purchased for the first-year curriculum and conducted a usage analysis. The HSL wanted to determine the extent to which students use eBook versions if required for the curriculum or if they continue to use print versions, and to analyze eBook usability, ease of use, and overall student satisfaction.
Presentation for 3 T Conference at the University of Cincinnati. Learning outcomes: make effective use of library resources in teaching; use technology to “embed” librarians in courses; understand how faculty can collaborate with librarians in teaching; use an easy, practical technique to visualize students’ perceptions about a class topic.
In its recent strategic planning effort, the University of Cincinnati Libraries (UCL) identified assessment as one of five strategic directions. The overall goal is to “ensure library user input into decision making about collections, services, and facilities.” While UCL has participated in LibQUAL+ regularly since 2002, and conducted other studies, UCL’s Transforming the UC Library User Experience, Strategic Plan 2011-2014, places increased focus and importance on gathering information and data from and about our users to inform decisions. The presenters will share their experience developing an assessment plan for UCL and initial efforts in building a culture of assessment. The design, methodology and approach of two focused surveys, that are a part of our coordinated plan of assessment, will be shared.