*Embedded Librarianship

Definition and Background“Embedded librarianship involves the delivery of highly customized and highly valued information and knowledge services to a customer group with well-defined needs” (Shumaker, 2012, p. ).

The phrase was borrowed from the “embedded journalist” idea that came into use during the invasion of Iraq (Dewey, 2004, p. 6)

In higher education, liaison librarians working with discipline-specific students and faculty.

Roots in the healthcare field in the 1960s with medical librarians

Best PracticesUse the same technology that faculty and students use

Library management must be supportive of staff involvement in embedded librarianship as it can quickly become a 24/7 proposition

Set parameters on availability

Actively collaborate with faculty

Assess readiness of both the librarian and the organization

Market and promote the service

More Best PracticesEvaluate on a continuing basis and communicate the evaluation results to stakeholders

Start small and work up

Collaborate with other units, such as IT, the Distance Education Office, faculty development centers, the Writing Center, etc.

Web-based ToolsDigital Learning Objects

o MERLOT, Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching

o Rice University’s Connexions

o YouTube’s Education Channel

o Digital Public Library of America, DPLA

o HathiTrust Digital Library

o Library of Congress American Memory Project

o PBS Learning Media

o OER Commons (Open Educational Resource)

Content Management Tools

oGoogle+

oSlideShare

oWikispaces Classroom

oWordPress

oScoop.it!

oBlogs

oDiscussion boards

Embedding at TAMU-CCIn BlackBoard Library Corner Discussion Forums

Through WebEx in select courses—research-intensive

Liaison librarians within the disciplines

LibGuides, tutorials, and web-based user aids

“Ask a Librarian” e-mail reference service

Embedding at TAMU-K