Faculty and Student Attitudes toward Credit Courses for Library Skills

Abstract

Faculty, student, and library staff attitudes toward credit courses, as well as various other instructional methods, for teaching library and research skills were assessed. A surprising number of faculty and students did not know about the courses offered. Although other methods, such as Web tutorials and written guides, are preferred, credit courses may still be considered a viable option. To be successful, the courses must be well marketed to both faculty and students, and their importance and content must be clearly understood by faculty advisors.

Finding Alternative Sources of Revenue

“…In a survey of more than 35 institutions, Davidson (2001) determined that libraries are seldom reimbursed for the costs incurred by offering credit classes-only 13% of respondents reported receiving funding (p. 161). Macleod (2005) described teaching the 1-credit "Introduction to Library Research" course at Central Michigan University as "labor-intensive."…”

A Survey of Librarian Perceptions of Information Literacy Techniques

“…Some authors argue that one-shot instruction sessions can be effective, but are improved by using active learning techniques in place of the traditional lecture and demonstration (Hollister & Coe, 2003), and that their effectiveness depends heavily on effective collaboration with subject faculty (Derakhshan & Singh, 2011). However, collaboration can be difficult, as librarians and subject faculty do not always agree about which methods are most effective (Davidson, 2001), and subject faculty are often less invested in information literacy than are library faculty (Julien & Genuis, 2011).…”

“…The researchers found few articles that included surveys of students and subject faculty in addition to or instead of librarians. In those articles, the differences between librarian preferences and the preferences of their constituencies were striking (Davidson, 2001). Further research might seek to discover whether this holds true elsewhere and the reasons for these discrepancies.…”

Academic Libraries and the Credit-Bearing Class: A Practical Approach

“…In point of fact, Jeanne Davidson (2001) wrote that libraries are seldom reimbursed for the costs incurred in offering classes (only 13% receive funding). Libraries are not income-producing entities and, as a result, critical library initiatives cannot always be implemented.…”