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Embedded Librarian: Embedded Librarian

This guide is aimed at teachers who wants to learn more on what an embedded librarian has to offer.

What is an Embedded Librarian?

Embedded Librarians work with your online class to help your students locate, evaluate, and effectively use the information resources that will make them successful in your class. These skills are commonly referred to as information literacy (IL) skills.

The Embedded Librarian also works closely with faculty, incorporating research and library support in any course. It is like bringing the library directly into your Canvas classroom.

Embedded librarians post information literacy content and activities that help students

  • find, analyze, and synthesize material from books, articles, websites, and more
  • analyze sources for accuracy and currency
  • write relevant research questions
  • cite sources correctly 

In a typical course (online, hybrid, or face-to-face), an Embedded Librarian will have a module named "Library Resources" or similar, which may have links to Research Guides, the library catalog, library search tools such as "Search Everything" and short videos (such as information literacy videos explaining library resources) to help students be better prepared for their assignments and exams.

For more information about embedding a librarian in your course, please complete our Request a Librarian - Information Literacy Instruction form.

Why do I need an Embedded Librarian?

Embedded Librarians facilitate student research and the use of library resources during a course or just when needed. NWACC librarians can help by:

  • Creating custom content for online courses (best bet search tools, tutorials, search strategies, research guides, etc.)
  • Demonstrating search strategies through online tutorials or custom videos
  • Serving as a contact regarding library and general research questions
  • Providing assistance in how to correctly cite sources
  • Offering individual attention to students during any stage of their research process

Students who receive information literacy instruction enjoy several benefits. A 2017 survey of 42,000 students in more than 1,700 courses at 12 major research universities* showed that:

  • Retention rates were higher for students whose courses included IL instruction.
  • The average first-year GPA for students whose courses included IL instruction was higher than for other students.
  • Students who took IL instruction successfully completed 1.8 more credit hours per year than students who did not.

There are also benefits for instructors when students are more prepared for research assignments and have strong information literacy skills.

*Greater Western Library Alliance (2017). “The Impact of Information Literacy Instruction on Student Success: A Multi-Institutional Investigation and Analysis.” http://www.arl.org/storage/documents/publications/The_Impact_of_Information_Literacy_Instruction_on_Student_Success_October_2017.pdf