When Leadership Falls Short: The Crisis of Care in Library Work
Posted on in Blog Posts
Making Info Lit One Click Away
Posted on September 9, 2025 in Blog Posts
Authors:
Jamia Williams
Information literacy is at the core of student success in higher education. The American Library Association’s Presidential Committee on Information Literacy defines it as a set of abilities requiring individuals to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” This definition highlights that being information literate is not just about finding resources; it’s about knowing why information is needed, where to look for it, and how to use it responsibly.
To be information literate, then, students need more than basic research skills. They must also develop critical thinking: the ability to question sources, assess credibility, and synthesize information into their own learning. For example, when completing a research paper, a student might know how to search Google for articles. But without information literacy, they may not be able to distinguish between a peer-reviewed journal and a personal blog. As the fall semester is underway, I want to discuss the importance of being an embedded librarian in learning management systems. It ensures students encounter curated, reliable resources within the very courses where they are asked to demonstrate these skills.
Understanding Information Literacy in the LMS
By placing research guides, citation tools, and direct links to databases within the learning management system (LMS), librarians help students practice information literacy in real time, directly alongside their course assignments. This scaffolding bridges the gap between theoretical definitions and practical application, reinforcing that information literacy is a lifelong skill essential not only for academic work but also for informed participation in society.
When students log into their courses through an LMS like Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, or Moodle, they’re stepping into a digital classroom that organizes all the tools they need to succeed. But too often, the library, the heart of academic research, feels just a few clicks too far away. That’s why academic librarians need to have the ability to add resources directly into a faculty’s LMS course.
By embedding library resources and ensuring that the library’s homepage is linked, librarians can reduce barriers to access, support student learning, and demonstrate the real value of the library in academic life.
Making the Library Visible Where Students Already Are
Students live inside the LMS. They log in to view syllabi, complete assignments, watch lectures, and check grades. If the library is not represented there, students may forget or simply not realize what the library offers. Embedding resources into courses puts the library front and center, reminding students that help is available whenever they need it.
For example, adding a prominent link to the library’s homepage, which some LMSs have in the course navigation, can:
- Give students immediate access to the catalog and databases.
- Provide quick pathways to citation guides, research tutorials, or subject guides.
- Reduce the “friction” of having to open a new tab and navigate elsewhere.
The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework for Information Literacy emphasizes that integrating information literacy into the learning environment is a key best practice for improving student outcomes. By placing resources inside the LMS, librarians make that integration seamless.
Examples of Resources Librarians Can Embed
The opportunities to support student success are nearly endless. Here are some examples of what librarians can place directly into a course:
- Research Guides: Tailored guides that point students to the most relevant databases, journals, and books for their subject area.
- Course Reserves: Direct links to e-books, articles, and other readings that faculty want students to use.
- Citation Support: Quick guides to APA, MLA, or Chicago style, plus citation management tools like Zotero or RefWorks.
- Video Tutorials: Short how-to videos on database searching, evaluating sources, or avoiding plagiarism.
- Library Chat Widgets: Embedded “Ask a Librarian” services that allow students to reach out for real-time help.
- Workshops and Events: Links to upcoming library workshops, orientations, or co-curricular events that enhance research skills.
By embedding these materials, librarians are not just making resources available. They are anticipating student needs within the natural flow of coursework.
Strengthening Faculty Partnerships
Another advantage of embedding resources into the LMS is that it fosters collaboration between librarians and faculty. When librarians can add or suggest content directly, faculty don’t have to take extra steps to upload materials themselves. This partnership saves time for faculty and ensures students get reliable, vetted information.
For instance, a librarian collaborating with a history professor might add a research guide for primary sources. In contrast, in a nursing course, the librarian could include links to evidence-based practice databases. This level of tailoring helps meet accreditation standards and improves student learning outcomes, as recognized by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Why the Library Homepage Link Matters
Even if no additional resources are embedded, having a link to the library’s homepage in the LMS is vital. That single link acts as a lifeline to a wide array of services and collections:
- 24/7 access to databases and journals.
- Interlibrary loan services for materials not immediately available.
- Contact information for subject librarians who can provide one-on-one research help.
Without that link, students may resort to Google or less reliable sources, missing out on the high-quality scholarly resources their tuition dollars already cover. The homepage is the portal that ensures students are aware of the full spectrum of services available to them.
Conclusion
Embedding library resources in the LMS is more than just a convenience; it’s an equity issue. Not all students arrive at college with the same familiarity with academic libraries. By putting the library where students already spend their time, librarians ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Faculty and administrators should see this not as “extra” but as essential. When librarians are empowered to add resources and ensure a library link is always visible, students benefit from smoother access, stronger research skills, and ultimately, greater academic success. In this way, embedding library support directly into the learning environment is not just a convenience. It’s a critical investment in student achievement and institutional excellence.
About the author:
Jamia Williams (she/her) is a health sciences librarian. She is also the co-creator and co-host of the podcast LibVoices and the founder of The Diversity Fellow’s blog.
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