Adult Learners in the Academic Library

Hamline University Graduate Schools and Programs

• 977 FTE

 
• Graduate School of Public Administration and Management

MAPA, MAM, MANM, DPA
 
• Graduate School of Education

MAEd, MAT, EdD, ESL Teacher Licensure
Includes off-campus cohorts and online courses
 
• Graduate Liberal Studies

MALS, MFA in Writing
 

• Bush Library home page designed to reflect research process,

double as jargon-free (or -lite) guide to services and resources.
 
• Specific library guides for each graduate degree area.

Overview of services and resources doubles as
summary of databases covered in instruction session.  mapa | maed
 
• Sessions emphasize what databases have in common.

Goal = Demystify

     Start with CLICnet (compare online catalog to card catalog),
          view marc record (compare to membership database)
          to discuss: records, fields

     Other concepts:  controlled vocabulary, keyword search,
          boolean search (compare to math formula)

     General, non-database-specific search strategies, e.g. using
          keyword to identify subject headings.

Other

• An original emphasis on appointments, "Graduate School Librarian" evolved to reference desk triage, "mainstreaming."

 
• Time-saving tips always popular, e.g.:
       -- request CLIC books from home, pick up on night of class
       -- bring dimes for microfilm reader-printers
  
  
• Publish very specific information on hours.
  
  
• Hours Survey: 
       -- most frequent request: earlier on Saturday mornings

     -- traditional academic calendar not as relevant;
              keep library hours variations to a minimum


• Approach:  
       -- informal
       -- respectful
       -- to-the-point; relevant
       -- acknowledge both existing knowledge/experience and 
            potential fears
       -- remind them that they are in school to pursue a [lifelong?] 
            interest; take advantage of resources and training in using 
            them.
       -- encourage attitude of exploration ... enjoyment... fun

 

 

Questions:

• What is "information literacy" for adult students?

Most of literature concerns undergraduates; virtually irrelevant 
for adults. Different approach:  "reflective practitioner," "lifelong learner"
 
• What happens to reflective practitioners and lifelong learners when access to specialized databases ends at graduation?  More difficult as indexes move from print to online.

Web- and Bib- liography

Belanger, Paul and Sofia Valdivielso, eds. The Emergence of Learning Societies : Who Participates in Adult Learning?
     Oxford; Terrytown, NY:  Pergamon and Unesco Institute for Education, 1997.

Coughlan, Jacquelyn, "The BI Librarian's New Constituency:  Adult Independent Learners."  The Reference Librarian
     24 (1989):  159-173

Faculty Development at Honolulu Community College: Teaching Tips Index.
     http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/teachtip.htm

     Includes:

• Knowles:  Studying the Adult Learner http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/knowles.htm
• 30 Things We Know for Sure About Adult Learning http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/adults-3.htm
• Principles of Adult Learners

http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/adults-1.htm
Principles of Adult Learning
http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/adults-2.htm

Junion-Metz, Gail,  "Focus on the Student:  Emphasizing Learning Styles."  Conference Presentation, Library Instruction
     Round Table (LIRT), 1997.  http://diogenes.baylor.edu/Library/LIRT/adultlrnrs.html

Schon, Donald.  The Reflective Practitioner:  How Professionals Think in Action.  New York:  Basic Books, 1983.

Sheridan, Jean.  "Andragogy:  A New Concept for Academic Librarians." Research Strategies 4 (1986):  156-167

Steffen, Susan Swords, "Designing Bibliographic Instruction Programs for Adult Students:  The Schaffner Library
     Experience."  Illinois Libraries 70 (1988):  644-649