MLIS
Health Sciences Librarian
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Email: jkyoung@mcmaster.ca
YoungThis article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Almost all libraries engage in some
form of online
instruction. As
library service models
have shifted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of
instruction has
become even more prevalent.
Despite the
widespread adoption of online instruction, few libraries have
invested the time
and resources necessary for ongoing success in this field. A haphazard approach
to online learning leads
to inefficient workflows and learning objects that are poorly
suited to our
users’ needs.
Written by Dominque Turnbow and Amanda
Roth, Demystifying
Online Instruction in Libraries: People, Process, and Tools, explores
the
specialized processes and expertise necessary for sustainable
online
instruction in libraries. By
advocating
for the distinct roles of Instructional Designers and
Instructional
Technologists within the library, the authors make a strong
argument for
increased specialization in the practice of online learning. In a simple and
concise style, the book
breaks down the key processes that go into developing successful
online
materials and serves as an excellent primer for instruction
librarians and
library managers alike.
Not intended to be a deep dive into any
one aspect of
the online instruction process, the book succinctly highlights a
wide range of
core concepts, theories, and practices across its eight
chapters. The
opening chapter clearly defines the roles
of Instructional
Designer and
Instructional
Technologist and
explores strategies for advocating for such skill sets within
your
library. While the
authors suggest that
it would be ideal to create two distinct positions for these
roles (as is the
case at their home institution of UC San Diego,) they
acknowledge that this is
not realistic for every library and provide useful tips for
building up these
skills in existing library staff.
Across
the remaining seven chapters, readers are offered an effective
introduction to
topics ranging from design theory, to project management, to
specific
instructional technologies.
It would be easy to get bogged down in
the details
with so much content to cover, but the authors strike a good
balance between
theory and practice. Evenly
dispersed
sections called “ID in Action” allow the authors to share their
own experiences
with the topic in question through real-world projects they have
worked on. In
addition, a substantial appendices section
provides a valuable trove of document templates that could be
adapted to your
own library’s needs.
As a librarian who juggles multiple
responsibilities
in addition to online instruction, I occasionally felt a bit
overwhelmed by the
book’s recommended workflow.
I cannot
imagine engaging in the all the planning, consultation,
assessment, and
documentation required for each project while still having time
for my other
job responsibilities. Ultimately,
though,
the fact that I felt overwhelmed serves to underline the
authors’
primary thesis: that proper online instruction cannot just be
something tacked
onto an existing librarian’s portfolio; that to engage in
meaningful education
online, libraries must invest the necessary resources (human,
temporal, and
financial). Although
the book does not
touch on the COVID-19 pandemic explicitly, this message seems
even more vital
as libraries continue to serve a growing population of remote
learners.
I would recommend Demystifying
online instruction
in libraries to a wide range of library workers. Library school
students and early career
librarians will benefit from its straightforward introduction to
instructional
design principles, while more experienced instruction librarians
will pick out
useful tips and tricks from its multiple real-world examples. Finally, library
managers looking to increase
the impact of their library’s online instruction efforts will
come away with a
clear image of a well-organized instruction department. At just over 100
pages, the reader can
receive a fairly thorough introduction to online instruction
over the course of
an afternoon. While
the $60USD price tag
may seem a bit steep for such a slim volume, this is the kind of
book that you
will find yourself returning to again and again, as evidenced by
the heavily
dog-eared copy on my own shelf.
Jack Young
MLIS
Health Sciences Librarian
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Email:
jkyoung@mcmaster.ca
Young
This article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/