Bringing the Library into the Blackboard Classroom

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Bringing the Library into the Blackboard Classroom

• Jean Shumway
• Reference and Instruction Librarian
• Butler County Community College

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John A. Beck, Jr. Library
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Library Past Find Books
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Find Articles
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Microfilm and Microfiche
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Library of Today
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As the number of distance learners and
instructors continues to increase, libraries are
faced with the challenge of how best to meet the
needs of remote users.
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Technical Dilemma Remote Access to Databases

• NetLibrary is a collection of full-text
  electronic books purchased primarily for distance
  education
• NetLibrary requires users to be at the
  institutions IP address when setting up an
  account.
• Students must come to the library to set up
  NetLibrary accounts
• Incongruous with the notions of distance
  education and remote access

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Solutions and Roadblocks

• Proxy Server
• Lack of software
• Lack of technical support
• Referring URL
• Passwords for BC3 authentication system cannot be
  changed remotely
• Students must come to the library to set up their
  authentication system
• Some databases do not work on secure (https)
  servers

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Further Problems

• Databases that allow authentication via barcode
  on patron ID
• Remote students must come to campus to get an ID
  card, so remote students often do not have ID
  cards

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Referring URL in Blackboard

• Ask vendors individually to set up referring URL
• Use Blackboards authentication system
• Give vendors
• URL of your Blackboard login page and a temporary
  user name and password
• Instructions to where their database will be
  listed within Blackboard, and the URL for that
  page
• Vendor will give you a URL for their database to
  place within Blackboard

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Statistics
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Americas Newspapers Feb 07 Hour of Day Access
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Database Statistics
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Disadvantages

• Difficult to obtain usage statistics
• Designed for course not institutional datasets
• SQL query of database
• Access limited to students and faculty
• Staff must request access
• Access not available to public patrons with
  library cards
• Unable to open databases concurrently

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Advantages
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Improved Services

• Students and faculty able to access remotely
  without having to come to campus
• Once logged into Blackboard, users do not have to
  logon to individual databases
• Many students and faculty already familiar with
  Blackboard
• One-stop shopping centralized, convenient
  access
• More opportunity to find credible resources
  better assignments and papers

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More Effective Communication

• All students and faculty enrolled in library
  course
• Listed as a course in all student and faculty
  Blackboard My Courses lists
• Listed as a button in all Blackboard courses
• Ask a Librarian form
• Book Recommendation form
• E-mail news
• E-mail or post surveys and evaluations

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Benefits to Librarian

• Control over library presence
• No time delay in maintenance, updates
• No communication errors
• Relatively easy to set-up and update
• Public access limited -- able to list resources
  and services could not list on an Internet site
• Opportunities for information literacy education,
  tutorials, guides
• Opportunities for better communication

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Course Integration Opportunities

• Links from courses to library resources on
  Blackboard
• Access to reserve items like journal articles
• Librarian and faculty collaboration on subject
  guides, pathfinders, tutorials
• Include as a resource in course outlines