Baruch College, Newman Library, Room 415

May 13, 2005, 2 pm- 4 pm

Members in Attendance:

Alexandra de Luise, Queens
Keith Muchowski, City Tech
Jacqueline Gill, City College
Clover Steele, Medgar Evers
Jeff Wayne, Borough of Manhattan
Charles Keyes, LaGuardia
Katherine Parsons, Bronx
Edward Owusu-Ansah, Staten Island

Meeting commenced at 2 pm. Jeffrey Wayne of the Borough of Manhattan Community College presented on BMCC’s library instruction efforts, and on preliminary considerations on assessment, which as Jeff suggested, has still not gained the desired traction, though movement in that direction had began, at least at the level of discussions. The library has 16 handouts that are distributed during class sessions, and are also available at kiosks in the library, with some having links on the library’s homepage. About 1000 mailings are sent out to BMCC faculty (some 1300 strong) encouraging them to request BI sessions for their classes. Almost all English 95 (70 sections total, and 2 sessions per each library class) receive library instruction. The sessions are 50 minutes long. The library works with the English 95 coordinator. No research assignments are required of students in the course. The college is looking at practices across CUNY to inform new practices and initiatives.

Clover Steele of Medgar Evers presented on her college’s instructional efforts and attempts at assessment. Submitting that information literacy at Medgar Evers was in a situation of constant evolution, Clover went on to describe prevailing practices. Requests for library orientation are made with the aid of a form, and most classes distribute handouts that include a code of conduct, LC Classification System, information about the library, and a bookmark. Library instruction facility has 22 computers. The library is in the process of creating a curriculum for library orientation sessions, so that instructors can all follow a uniform script to ensure consistency. The library is also promoting “how to research” sessions, mini workshops that appear popular with students, and hopes to expand these. The library also offers a two-credit Library 100 course, which has been revised.

Assessment at Medgar Evers involves the use of surveys and evaluations, and checking with students to determine level of knowledge before and after instructional engagement. Student evaluations provide valuable feedback, and soliciting from faculty on an individual bases, comments on what worked and what needs to be improved also helps measure the effectiveness of the library’s instructional activities.

In a group activity following the presentations, Charles Keyes of LaGuardia distributed 10 cards to two groups of members in attendance and asked them to place the cards in proper order. It was an exercise Charles had groups of students do at LaGuardia. Through participation and consultation, various approaches and suggestions led to a given group outcome. The lesson was the importance of encouraging a participatory approach that captures students’ attention, makes them focused on what is to be taught, and gets students involved in the steps and issues to be considered during instruction.

Alexandra de Luise of Queens College and Charles Keyes, LaGuardia Community College were elected co-chairs for the next academic year (2005/2006 academic year).

The following meeting dates were also selected for the Fall 2005 semester (all to be held at the Newman Library of Baruch College, in Room 415, the Library Conference Room):

Meeting adjourned at 4 pm.

Submitted by:
Edward Owusu-Ansah
Outgoing Chair

Edward Owusu-Ansah, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Information Literacy & Library Instruction
CUNY College of Staten Island
2800 Victory Boulevard
Staten Island, NY 10314
Phone: (718) 982-4097