UWF libraries recognized by national information literacy database

Made possible with funding from a 2013 Pace Academic Development Award, the tutorials were created to teach research skills to students. UWF Dean of Libraries Robert Dugan said the grant allowed his team to hire Joshua Vossler, an experienced instructional designer who worked on video production so UWF librarians could focus solely on content and assessments.

Britt McGowan, humanities librarian and instruction coordinator, spearheaded the project with the goal of giving UWF students and the general public the opportunity to progress in their information literacy and library research skills.

“Vossler’s expertise led to professionally produced videos with a sound and visual quality that does not distract students from the learning process,” McGowan explained. “Getting assistance also allowed us to complete this project over the course of a year – a lot more quickly than we could have otherwise, if at all.”

The 34 online tutorials teach information literacy concepts that can be accessed any time, from anywhere, by anyone with an Internet connection. They may be taken in sequence, or as a specific need arises.

McGowan submitted the series of UWF video tutorials to PRIMO, a database she has consulted throughout her career for inspiration in engaging students online. After a peer-review by the ACRL’s Instruction Section, “Navigate: UWF Libraries Research Tutorials” were accepted for inclusion.

McGowan and Vossler will be interviewed for a “Site of the Month” video feature with PRIMO, whose online tutorials help inform instruction efforts across academic libraries.

“The tutorials that are showcased as sites of the month are particularly helpful because the creators will share what they learned from the creation process,” she said. “I am happy to contribute and share with my colleagues in a database that has been so useful to me.”

A professional librarian for 40 years, Dugan said the John C. Pace Library staff is the best he has worked with, specifically celebrating its student- and faculty-centered approach, creativity and attention to services.

“The tutorials help us achieve the mission of our library instruction and information literacy program that UWF librarians have worked hard to build – to graduate information literate students who are committed to lifelong learning and to contributing information meaningfully and creatively in the 21^st Century,” Dugan said.

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About the University of West Florida: Founded in 1963, the University of West Florida is a vibrant, distinctive institution of higher learning with undergraduate, graduate and targeted research programs. With multiple locations in Northwest Florida, the University serves a student population of more than 12,000. Dedicated to helping students realize their full potential, UWF favors small class sizes with quality teacher-scholars who deliver personalized, innovative, hands-on learning and leadership opportunities.