Bainbridge Graduate Institute (BGI) offers two sustainable MBA programs that encourage hands-on practical learning to anchor classroom lecture and discussion. As part of their coursework, students are encouraged to dig deeper into topics as well as conduct research using library resources such as the Resource Database. However, this resource can be difficult to navigate, especially when students are unsure about which resources to use on a project. It becomes even more confusing if interdisciplinary elements are present. The library desires to present available resources in a way that students can quickly access information relevant to the specific courses. The solution is to create research guides that not only present top quality resources useful for class assignments but also introduces students to resources that can used as they move forward in their careers.

Since the 1970s, the Refugee Forum of King County has been a vital source of information and networking for service providers serving refugees and newly arrived immigrants in the Puget Sound region. However, they relied on paper copies, monthly meetings, and word of mouth to share ideas. This has made it difficult for them to move forward with new goals and reach out to potential new members. Following principles of user-centered design, we helped the organization identify its information needs and built a website tailored to its goals. The process included user testing, content strategy, and documentation to ensure a smooth handoff. The website has the potential to improve the speed and efficiency with which service providers access information about community resources, thus enabling them to better help refugees and newly arrived immigrants in the region. Furthermore, it can serve as a platform for advocacy as the RFKC grows.

Our work is part of the Game Metadata Research (GAMER) Group’s project: Constructing a Metadata Schema for Video Games and Interactive Media, which aims to capture the essential information about these materials in a standardized, user-centered way. The deliverables of our project include: (1) an XML schema representation of their metadata scheme; (2) a repository of XML instances containing cataloging records of sample video games; (3) a user-friendly data input form for game catalogers; (4) interfaces enabling users to search and browse game records within the database; (5) documentation for users and future maintenance. This project consolidates and enhances GAMER’s previously disparate and incomplete game data into a single, easily extensible format, and delivers a concrete product to help GAMER evaluate their developing metadata scheme. It provides a basis for advancing the GAMER research, contributing to the goal of improving video game organization and access for gamers, catalogers, and researchers.

The UW Department of Global Health website provides information to a diverse audience that includes students, researchers and global health professionals. However, the site is not easy to navigate, and the department desires to improve usability as well as increase visibility of their academic programs. Our research examined three areas: the goals of the department staff, website statistics, and student-user needs.  Website analytics and a content inventory of the current site were evaluated.  Usability testing was performed with students through surveys, user observation, and in-depth interviews allowing us to understand their search behavior and information needs.   The quantitative and qualitative data collected was used to create a prototype taxonomy for website navigation and a suggested redesign of the homepage. Recommendations to improve the website, and address the needs of prospective and current students, were presented to the Department of Global Health for incorporation into their website redesign project this summer.

Teen pregnancy rates vary widely throughout North Carolina, corresponding with access to effective sex ed training, and spiking in rural southeastern counties. Reaching teens in their mode of information behavior and with content that they can relate to and trust presents a barrier to providing effective sex ed. We did extensive research and made recommendations for MyHealthEd, an organization adapting an existing curriculum to create a comprehensive online sex ed program for North Carolina teenagers, and rural high school populations in general. The adaptations will bridge the gap in content, language, and mode of access. The suggestions for content (gamification, interactive peer-peer scenarios, digital storytelling) offer the potential to transform sex education nation- and worldwide, as well as online learning overall.

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the lowest primary education enrollment and youth literacy rate of all the regions reported to the United Nations. In fact, more than half of the world’s out-of-school children live in SSA and one out every four children who actually enter primary education will leave before completing the last grade (United Nations 2013). This study examines the design and planning stages of a project known as the Namibian Library Development Program (NLDP) to identify if it has the potential to support primary education in SSA. It uses documentation provided by consultants to the project as well as literature, multimedia, and empirical data to examine relationships between stakeholders and possibilities for school improvements. Ultimately, the study illustrates how NLDP’s innovative and thorough approach could assist primary education in SSA but only if issues surrounding its sustainability are accounted for. 

With the influx of children entering elementary school born after 2007 (notably, the year of the first iPhone), it is increasingly important for school libraries to consider the role of electronic materials in the library. Studies have shown that elementary schools across the nation are less likely to provide eBooks to their students. Here in the West, fewer schools offer eBooks than any other region in the United States. We have created a plan for the implementation of an eCollection at Fernwood Elementary School in the Northshore School District (NSD). Together, we will meet the information needs of Fernwood’s students and help this school district move into the digital age—making NSD a model for future schools in the Pacific Northwest. Our students are digital natives. It is time for libraries and schools to address their specific needs and bridge the remaining gap between technology and education. 

Academic libraries deliver vital instruction on information literacy to their students and faculty. At Seattle Central College (SCC) Library, the information literacy program covers all academic disciplines but targets introductory courses to better advocate the value of information literacy. Our project aims to expand the information literacy program at Seattle Central College by embedding ourselves as librarians in a popular course titled Multicultural Communications (CMST 205). Taught by Professor Marian Lyles, this course has been known by students to demand mature research skills. Our Information Literacy Embedding Program enhances the syllabus and curriculum of the class by integrating tailored instruction for the cumulative research assignment. Very much hands-on and collaborative, the work of our project allowed us to develop information literacy instruction designed specifically for this course and its students. By targeting a particular class, this embedded librarian model will demonstrate the positive impact of integrating information literacy programs at Seattle Central College. 

Truly an urban retreat, the Washington Park Arboretum is a beautiful, 230-acre oasis tucked away in Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood. Since 1934, scientists and volunteers have collected data on over 11,000 plant species, which have recently been digitized. This plant database, as well as an Arboretum map highlighting trails and landmarks, is formatted for use on computers, and difficult for visitors to access while at the park. We have designed a mobile application to put this information in the hands of visitors, enriching their overall park experience. Application features include customizable trail loops, information on gardens, park maps and a GPS-enabled plant lookup capability that easily locates plants around app users. Our project has involved a research phase, app sketching, wireframing, usability tests and an interactive prototype built in Axure. Stop by to see the final design and learn all about the application features!

Reed College is in the early phases of a joint library-IT project to improve undergraduate research skills, especially for sophomores and juniors. Numerous studies have focused on the first-year experience, but none have explicitly looked at how sophomores and juniors make the transition to conducting course-related research independently. This project serves as a needs assessment for the broader initiative. We gathered information by conducting and analyzing faculty and student focus groups and also implemented a student survey. Our findings indicate that while most students understand the importance of quality resources, they often struggle to understand faculty expectations and to integrate all the facets of the research process into a unified whole. Based on these findings, we make several recommendations: earlier introduction to research methods, projects broken into manageable parts with clear expectations, better promotion of available services and technologies, and integrated classroom training and introduction to discipline-based research practices.