Development of the graduate library user education series

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the creation of a workshop series designed to help graduate students obtain the needed library research skills.Design/methodology/approachUsing feedback from graduate students, a library user education series of workshops was developed and later revised. Significant effort was made to apply effective marketing strategies to enhance the programs' success.FindingsGraduate students are eager for workshops that are focused on developing the needed library research skills.Practical implicationsWhen developing a workshop series, feedback from the intended audience enriches the program. Furthermore, repeated fine‐tuning of content and publicity improves the final product.Originality/valueThis paper describes an innovative approach to develop and implement a graduate‐focused library instruction workshop series. The creative use of marketing strategies to incorporate ongoing user feedback and advertise the availability of sessions can significantly enhance the efficacy of a workshop series.

Information Literacy Instruction Programs: Supporting the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Community at Virginia Tech

“…• examining the ethical uses of information sources related to thesis and dissertation work; • selecting appropriate outlets for scholarly dissemination within a field of study; • navigating through grant requirements and protocols; and • utilizing tools available to assist with the creation of scholarship (Critz et al, 2012;Exner, 2014).…”

Research Needs and Learning Format Preferences of Graduate Students at a Large Public University: An Exploratory Study

“…At some libraries, this takes the form of workshops, like the Savvy Researcher series at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, 20 the Graduate Library User Education series at the Georgia Institute of Technology, 21 or the library training program for ABD distance doctoral students at Nova Southeastern University. 22 Instruction may also be integrated into the students' regular coursework, through online tutorials, 23 or through librarians' direct contact and consultation with students either in person or online as the number of online graduate students grows.…”

SHARPGrads: Development and Assessment of a Research Skills Workshop Program for Graduate Students at the University of South Carolina

“…To understand and serve the needs of graduate students, many librarians choose to collaborate with other departments and groups across an institution. Critz et al (2012) partnered with a newly formed Library/Faculty Advisory Board and the Graduate Student Government Association to identify and implement initiatives, including workshop series, to help students develop necessary research skills.…”