Abstract: Can a library support an overseas program with a full-time librarian position? Can this position provide distant services successfully through e-learning techniques, social media and other methods? The answer is yes. As many American universities enroll students through a shared or global campus, librarians can play a vital role as the primary information and library services provider. The University of Cincinnati (UC) and Chongqing University, China (CQU) established the first shared engineering programs in China with mandatory co-operative education, the Joint Co-op Institute (JCI), in 2013. Students primarily receive on-campus instruction in China from JCI instructors; however, no UC librarian is onsite to provide dedicated support. In response, UC Libraries developed the new Global Services Librarian position as the lead presence for support of the Libraries’ growing global engagement and partnerships, especially with the JCI. This Librarian provides a full range of services, mostly at a distance, including instruction, outreach, and faculty support. This presentation will describe the development of the Global Services Librarian position, its roles in supporting the JCI, lessons learned in the first year of this position, and how this role could be adapted for other library environments.
As the opportunities and challenges raised by globalization become more a part of people’s everyday lives, colleges and universities are committed to providing their students with academic opportunities on a global scale. This has led academic libraries to focus their efforts on meeting the needs of their students and faculty at global campuses and study abroad sites. Also under the same trend, the number of global services/education librarians is on the rise with unique responsibilities and experiences. In this panel, we’ll be discussing:
the similarities and differences between the global library services programs at our respective sites;
the opportunities and challenges we’ve faced, including how to work with partners on main campus as well as overseas;
discuss how global library services may be evolving in the future.
As the opportunities afforded by globalization expand, colleges and universities are committed to providing students with academic opportunities on a global scale. This has led academic libraries to focus efforts on meeting the needs of students and faculty at global campuses and study abroad sites. In this panel, we’ll be discussing the similarities and differences between our global library services programs and the opportunities and challenges we’ve faced, with practical advice on working with partners on-campus and overseas. This will be an interactive session where the audience will work towards formulating and refining global initiatives based on institutional needs.
The Global Library Services Discussion Group welcomes all interested colleagues to join us in a discussion about serving our library users in a global setting. This will be an opportunity for audience members to discuss challenges and opportunities they are facing, and give their perspectives on what the most important developments are in this field. From online instruction and reference services strategies, to access and inclusion challenges in serving our users across many time zones, all topics are welcome for discussion. Members of the Global Library Services DG will be on hand to lend their own perspectives in this very important discussion.
As an increasing number of universities expand programs globally, libraries are seen as an essential partner for this endeavor. Some library units are fully or semi-fully integrated into these academic programs. The University of Cincinnati (Ohio, USA) and Chongqing University (Chongqing, China) introduced the first co-operative engineering education program in China in 2013. Since this time, the University of Cincinnati library has been striving to connect American faculty and Chinese students in three main areas:
1.utilizing library websites and social media for reference, instruction, and outreach;
2.playing a peer role for traveling faculty with course materials, elearning, and basic technical support;
3.developing a sustainable relationship with matching librarians in Chongqing for collection development and beyond.
This presentation is intended to share experience and practices with librarians in similar positions, as well as administrators looking to develop a similar position.