Northern Kentucky University

What is a Blackboard Librarian?

A Blackboard Librarian is a library faculty member from Steely Library’s Research & Instructional Services who seeks to bridge the gap between traditional or electronic information literacy instruction and reference / research services by using Blackboard’s discussion boards as a forum to answer questions or expand on concepts covered during instruction.

What is the Rationale behind Blackboard Librarian?

After information literacy instruction concludes, may it be face to face or online, students will, likely, not have any direct contact with the instructing librarian throughout the remainder of the research process, due in large part to the arbitrary nature of schedules. While our Ask Steely Library! services support information literacy instruction indirectly, an available librarian will not possess the same knowledge about your class, assignment, expectations, etc. as the instructing librarian who presented for your class. Implementing Blackboard Librarian as a part of information literacy instruction will preserve the relationship between a student and the instructing librarian for, at least, the duration of the research process, accommodating new, emerging questions and challenges. And much like instruction, the entire class will benefit from questions asked by an individual student.

In order to ensure an authentic learning experience, we recommend not assigning or awarding extra points for Blackboard Librarian posts or replies.

How Do I Sign Up for Blackboard Librarian

Please complete our Blackboard Librarian for My Class form. After you submit this form, you will receive a confirmation within two working days (excluding weekends and holidays).

How Do I Set Up Blackboard Librarian in Blackboard?

First, the instructing librarian needs to be added to your Blackboard class roster.  Next, the instructing librarian's record on the roster needs to be modified from "Student" to "Instructor."  Once completed, the instructing librarian will add a new entry to your "Course Menu" (a persistent short cut buttons on the left) entitled "Bb Librarian," with a corresponding discussion board, a forum(s), and begin adding thread(s).

How do I add the instructing librarian to my class roster?

• Sign into Blackboard
• Select the course in which you are going to implement a Blackboard Librarian
• Scroll down to the "Control Panel"
• Expand the "Users and Groups" menu
• Select "Users"
• Select "Find Users to Enroll"
• Search for your Blackboard Librarian by username
• If you do not know the instructor’s users name, select "Browse" for more search options
• Search and locate the Blackboard Librarian's user profile
• Check the box next to the matching user profile
• Select "Submit"
• Select "OK"

How do I modify the instructing librarian’s record?

• Scroll to the "Control Panel"
• Expand the "Users and Groups" menu
• Select "Users"
• Locate the instructing librarian
• Select the dropdown menu (two downward pointing arrows) just to the right of the name
• Select "Change User's Role in Course"
• Modify the instructing librarians record from "Student" to "Instructor"
• Select "Submit"

How is Blackboard Librarian Monitored?

The discussion board will be moderated by you and the instructing librarian after information literacy instruction has been provided. The instructing librarian will answer all questions related to information literacy; whereas, you will answer any questions related to the assignment or other course in general.

The frequency and the duration the discussion board is checked will be based on an agreement between you and the instructing librarian. The scope and duration of the assignment may be a factor in determining the frequency of which the discussion board is monitored.

The asynchronous discussion boards provide the needed schedule flexibility for you, the instructing librarian, and the students.

Blackboard Librarian Evaluation & Assessment

• Blackboard Librarian Professor Survey
• Blackboard Librarian Consent Form (.pdf)
  Per the Institutional Research Board...
  Before taking the survey, please read, print-out, complete, sign, and mail (308 W. Frank Steely Library) the following Consent Form. This form outlines the purpose of the surveys, as well as provides a description of your involvement and rights as a participant..