With the wide spread of online learning, libraries can help faculty serve the needs of students more effectively by embedding a librarian into a course in Canvas. The embedded librarian can help students learn what resources and services are available to them and how to access these remotely.
What do Embedded Librarians Do?
The embedded librarian will incorporate appropriate library resources, such as library guides, databases, journals, video tutorials, and individual articles into a dedicated module within your Canvas course. Embedded Librarians can also provide live virtual library sessions covering general information literacy, subject specific instruction, or both.
What the Embedded Librarian Can Do:
1. Incorporate library resources into a Canvas course
2. Create content tailored to a specific course
3. Provide synchronous online library instructions
What Embedded Librarians Cannot Do:
1. Help students with assignments
2. Grade assignments
3. Discuss the grading rubric with students
How Does It Work?
Using the “Librarian” role in Canvas, an information specialist from the library can create a Library Instruction module within a Canvas course. The role allows librarian to add and edit modules in Canvas, post announcements, and participate in discussions (if necessary) without the full access of the instructor’s role.
*Note: A librarian will never post anything in Canvas without the instructor’s approval.
Below is an LI module in Canvas that was created for an SFC Business Management course in Spring 2020.
If you want to embed a librarian in your Canvas course, please contact Mona Wasserman, Director of Library Services, at mwasserman@sfc.edu.
We're looking forward to working with you.