Development of an Online Curriculum in Health Sciences Librarianship: A Case Study

1. Development of an Online Curriculum in Health Sciences Librarianship: A Case Study Ester Saghafi, MEd, MLS Nancy H. Tannery, MLS Barbara A. Epstein, MSLS, AHIP Health Sciences Library System University of Pittsburgh

2. The Grant: a brief history • The School of Information Sciences (iSchool) and the Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) awarded a grant for $991,311 from The Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS). • 3-year grant period: July 2009-June 2012 • Grant supports development and implementation of a Post Master's Certificate of Advanced Study in Health Sciences Librarianship (HealthCAS).

3. What is HealthCAS? • An online post-master’s program addressing the national need for advanced education for librarians and information managers in the health sciences. • Year-long 15-credit Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) offering a focused curriculum, concentrating on current issues in health sciences librarianship.

4. Partnership • An ALA-accredited LIS program • A Dynamic Academic Health Sciences Library • Offering a unique educational experience

5. Project Management Partners • Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) • iSchool HealthCAS Management • Program Team • iSchool: Associate Professor; Director of Distance Education • HSLS: Director and Associate Director • HSLS: Reference Librarian, Project Manager (50% FTE) • Advisory Board • Evaluation Consultant

6. Program Goal Prepare students for: • Advanced ProfessionalPositions in • Health Sciences Libraries in • Diverse Settings

7. Program Instructional Objectives MLA Educational Policy Statement, Competencies for Lifelong Learning and Professional Success http://www.mlanet.org/education/policy/executive_summary.html 1. Health sciences & health care environment 2. Role of the library in health sciences/care settings 3. Health Information needs of diverse user groups & services to meet those needs 4. Management of health information resources 5. Utilization of technology and systems to manage all forms of health information 6. Curricular design and instruction 7. Locating, filtering and critical evaluation of research literature

8. Curriculum Development • Program Team met with HSLS librarians to introduce the project. • Task force of HSLS librarians participated in a series of brainstorming sessions. • Task force identified topics to be covered in the curriculum. • Topics were grouped into appropriate courses to be offered over 3 terms. • HSLS librarians were surveyed and recruited to serve as faculty.

9. The Curriculum • Term 1: Libraries in the Health Care Environment (4 credits) Summer Session (May-August) with a mandatory 3-day onsite session in Pittsburgh in June. • Term 2: Management of Library Collections & Resources in the Health Care Environment(4 credits) Fall Session (September-December) • Term 3: Library Services and Instruction in the Health Care Environment(4 credits) Spring Session (January-April) • Individual Applied Research Project (3 credits, 1 credit/term) Yearlong research project conducted at student’s home institution or a nearby setting, with mentoring/supervision by a local health sciences librarian. • Capstone event prior to MLA Annual Meeting in May for students and mentors Students present their research projects.

10. HealthCAS Faculty HSLS faculty librarians • Subject experts with substantial practical experience • 3-person faculty team for each course (volunteer librarians with certain subject expertise as needed) Challenges • Recruitment & Assignment (faculty as adjunct prof.) • Training (instructional development, online instruction methods & novel technologies) • Management (scheduling & compensation)

11. Teaching in the Online Environment • Content Development for Online Delivery • Subject Expertise & Experience • Course Development Skills • Training for Teaching in the Online Delivery • Instructional Design • Technology Training • Access to Technology for Online Delivery • CourseWeb on Blackboard • Hardware/Software Requirements • Tech Support

12. HealthCAS Students • Cohort of 10-25 students move together through the yearlong program. • IMLS grant provides full scholarship and travel expenses for 10-12 students in the first 2 cohorts. • Graduate Degree from ALA accredited LIS program required. • Application process requires transcripts, recommendations, statement of purpose, and portfolio of accomplishments. • Recruitment done through listserv announcements, direct mailings, library meetings, HealthCAS web site, etc.

13. Learning in the Online Environment • Experience an alternative to the traditional “professorial model” in teaching and learning. • The Cohort experience: a community of learners, where students share valuable experiences both intellectually and socially. • Students benefit from opportunities, • to learn in new ways. • to retool without giving up time from families and careers. • to share with one another experiences from the course, the program and their work.

14. Progress • “Pioneer cohort” of 13 students began the first year program on May 10, 2010. • Onsite Pittsburgh visit to take place on June 6-9. • Online course development completed for Term 1. • Coursework for Terms 2 & 3 is in development.

15. Acknowledgements

16. HealthCAS Program Directors Susan Alman, PhD, Director of Distant Education iSchool, University of Pittsburgh Barbara Epstein, MSLS, AHIP, Director HSLS, University of Pittsburgh Nancy Tannery, MLS, Associate Director, Use Services HSLS, University of Pittsburgh Christinger Tomer, PhD, Associate Professor iSchool, University of Pittsburgh.

17. HealthCAS/HSLS Faculty Term 1: Jill Foust, MLS Linda Hartman, MLS, AHIP Mary Lou Klem, PhD, MLIS Term 2: Renae Barger, MLIS Leslie Czechowski, MA, MLS John LaDue, MLIS Term 3 Rebecca Abromitis, MLS Michele Kline Fedyshine, MSLS,RN Charles Wessl, MLS Volunteer Faculty Carrie Iwema, PhD Andrea Ketchum, MLIS, AHIP MellisaRatajeski, MLIS, RLAT Patricia M. Weiss, MLIS

18. HealthCAS Advisory Board ChairGary D. Byrd, PhD, Director Health Sciences Library, University at Buffalo (SUNY) Members Ellen Gay Detlefsen, DLS, Associate Professor, School of Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. Kathel Dunn, MLS, Program Coordinator, Associate Fellowship Program, National Library of Medicine (NLM). Judy Consales, MLS, Director, Louise Darling Medical Library, UCLA. Carla D. Hayden, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore. Program Evaluation Consultant Neal Rambo, MLS, Acting Director, Health Sciences Libraries & Acting Associate Dean, University Libraries, University of Washington

19. Learn More About HealthCAS Ester Saghafi, HealthCAS Project Manager esaghafi@pitt.edu 412-648-1973 http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/health/