04-23-2020, 01:20 PM
I'm so glad you're representing us on this, Dale!
For us, as one of the smallest rural schools, we are very limited on technology we can loan to students, and even hot spots may not work in our area because of poor cell phone coverage. Additionally, I doubt we'll see an increase in budget to cover the laptop and hot spot needs for our students. I don't have a solution for this, but wanted to make sure that people are aware of the additional difficulties the very small rural schools will face in getting technology into the hands of our students should the libraries remain closed. Even those with internet access don't have reliable coverage.
I agree with Mary that librarians embedded into all courses will be a necessity for the library to provide students adequate access and support, as well as adequate access to instruction. If course or subject specific LibGuides could be embedded as well, that would help provide timely access to library materials to students. At Camp I've been embedded in all courses as a TA/Librarian, and have LibGuides CMS to auto-add the LibGuides in courses. However, many faculty members do not add the link to their Canvas. If there is a way to get faculty, especially adjunct faculty, on board for this, that would be very helpful.
I also think we need to get LibAnswers/LibChat into every prominent place we can. The more we can market that we are available to help, the better. If we can have screensharing and actually taking over a student's computer as options, those would also help. Currently, Camp is seeing almost purely email questions, and those very limited. I would very much appreciate the assistance of any distance librarians in how to put these services in place and how to market them most effectively.
Thank you for doing this!
For us, as one of the smallest rural schools, we are very limited on technology we can loan to students, and even hot spots may not work in our area because of poor cell phone coverage. Additionally, I doubt we'll see an increase in budget to cover the laptop and hot spot needs for our students. I don't have a solution for this, but wanted to make sure that people are aware of the additional difficulties the very small rural schools will face in getting technology into the hands of our students should the libraries remain closed. Even those with internet access don't have reliable coverage.
I agree with Mary that librarians embedded into all courses will be a necessity for the library to provide students adequate access and support, as well as adequate access to instruction. If course or subject specific LibGuides could be embedded as well, that would help provide timely access to library materials to students. At Camp I've been embedded in all courses as a TA/Librarian, and have LibGuides CMS to auto-add the LibGuides in courses. However, many faculty members do not add the link to their Canvas. If there is a way to get faculty, especially adjunct faculty, on board for this, that would be very helpful.
I also think we need to get LibAnswers/LibChat into every prominent place we can. The more we can market that we are available to help, the better. If we can have screensharing and actually taking over a student's computer as options, those would also help. Currently, Camp is seeing almost purely email questions, and those very limited. I would very much appreciate the assistance of any distance librarians in how to put these services in place and how to market them most effectively.
Thank you for doing this!