It's a stretch: de-customizing to provide better support to all

The University of X's graduate programs are its fastest growing sector. The College of Education is the third largest public university in the county, due largely to its graduate programs and partnerships with local school districts. Many programs across the disciplines have a heavy research aspect, with a focus on evidence-based practice. To meet the needs of these programs, the library has taken the counter-intuitive approach of widening the focus on its instruction and liaison programs. Previously, each program had specific librarians assigned to that program’s needs. Tools like videos, research guides, and workshops were tailored to each individual class or assignment. This resulted in many tools quickly becoming outdated or librarians repeatedly making tools to explain the same skills with slightly different examples. Programs received different levels of support based on the librarians’ preferences and abilities rather than consistent help based on their needs. Now the library has focused on identifying key skills needed across many programs. Tools and instructional materials are frequently shared from a single location for easy updates. The librarians developed a suite of instructional tools designed to be generic but useful. These can then be placed in context of each program and student's research needs. This presentation will cover how skills were identified, what tools were created, and how they were advertised and promoted to program directors, faculty, and students. Attendees will learn how to create tools that are specific enough to suit a specific class or assignment yet able to be shared beyond that context to others.