With a student population that exceeds 40,000 for the first time, University Libraries is mobilizing efforts to ensure that Texas State students have the support they need to succeed. As students visit the library this fall, the library is implementing a robust support plan that meets students where they are, and provides a scaffolding approach to information and research assistance. It’s no longer necessary for students to identify a specific librarian for help. They can simply visit the library or utilize online Chat services to find the assistance they need. Or, if they can’t come in or are unsure where to start, they can use our contact form to get connected to the right expert or level of support.
Ask Us! Public Service Points
Ask Us! student and staff employees at the Ask Alkek desk in San Marcos and the Information desk in Round Rock are the first line of support. These trained employees field inquiries, provide direction to resources, provide technology support and manage the circulation of library materials. When basic research help is needed, Ask Alkek desk staff will direct students to the third floor where they can find a team of Peer Research Coaches.
Peer Research Coaches
Our newest line of support comes from student research coaches that are specially trained to provide the most requested and basic help. These students provide peer-to-peer support: assisting with finding and narrowing a research topic; locating scholarly resources; using library databases; and managing citations. Peer Research Coaches also triage both in-person inquiries and online Chat questions between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. When a higher level of research assistance is needed, the coaches direct patrons to the librarian or library expert that can help.
Specialized Support
A lineup of librarians and library staff with areas of functional expertise offer specialized, in-demand support. Advanced consultations with research librarians and others offer high-level assistance for undergrads, graduate students and, other researchers. In addition to collections, resource, and research librarians, University Libraries has:
- A First-Year Experience Librarian
- An Undergraduate Research Librarian,
- A Research Data Curation Specialist Librarian
- A STEM & Entrepreneurship Librarian (coming soon!)
- An Open Educational Resources Librarian
- A Service Engagement Librarian
- An Open Licenses Librarian
- An Open Pedagogy Librarian
- MakerSpace Specialists
- An Immersive Technology Specialist (AR, VR, etc.)
- Video & Audio Specialists
- A Digital Design Specialist
- An XR Systems Specialist
- Digitization Specialists
- Archive Specialists
- And more!
Instruction Support and Skill Building
The library has a multi-pronged approach to instruction support that includes instruction teams and both synchronous and asynchronous learning options. From online information literacy tutorials that are available online or through Canvas, to tailored instruction options, to specialized workshops and micro-credentialing opportunities, the support options for students and faculty have never been more diverse and readily available.
This article was contributed by Marketing & Communications Coordinator Debbie Pitts.