Library Services things Unlimited update for DIAL draft final report

Library Services things Unlimited project update for the DIAL project draft final report. This project focuses on digital information literacy, addressing this initially through a process of discussion and confidence building with Library Services staff. See project overview.

What benefits has your project delivered and who are the beneficiaries?

• Enable the production of learning tools for library staff (Zotero, Research Data Management) 
• DIAL coincides with Library Services initiatives on staff development and strategic ambitions to extend the library services offer in digital information literacy, so students, researchers and other user groups will ultimately benefit.
• Provided a medium for library staff with specialist knowledge to share this with other staff
• Provided a medium for engagement with other University colleagues on digital information literacy
• Each resource also acts as a source of data and information for further publications and user facing guidance

What other impacts has your project had?

• Started a process of engagement with OER production 
• Developed the skills of those staff involved with the DIAL project (e.g. models for digital information literacy, production of OERs, additional research for the production of the “things”, etc)
• Raised the profile of UAL in this area, with the submission of a poster at LILAC 2013

How will the project be developed further/sustained?

• Currently the first resource is being evaluated. It has been well received, with useful feedback for the development of future resources.
• We plan to launch over the summer with the first 3 resources, and invite others in the department to add to this list, so we are looking at a self sustaining model.
• We chose LibGuides software as it’s already in use in Library Services and relatively easy to use. We have a set up a template resource so that others can either produce resources themselves, or give us the content to produce one.
• We haven’t allocated additional resources to the production of the LibGuides; the main commitments required are the possession of digital information skills, and willingness to share them by engaging with the project.

Update:

• When we release the resources, it will need re-branding. Things Unlimited has been a good project name but isn’t helpful for users, after some discussion we decided on Discover...
• Questionnaire feedback: we asked 13 library staff to feedback, and the feedback has been good. Jess to write this up. 
• We will aim to produce 3 resources for the end of the month (Zotero, RDM and Open access and Creative Commons)
• Action: David to set up templates, Jess to populate.
• Delivery: The resources can be linked to from many different places, but will sit on the Library web pages in “How do I.”
• On release we will change “Tell us about it...” so that the feedback is relevant.
• Concern was raised about promoting Zotero when it didn’t work properly on the University clone. Jess has emailed Phil Swain (Associate Director of Service Management.)