Beyond the Shelf: Librarians as Partners in Student Success
In-Person
Abstract
As generative AI, digital learning tools, and online and hybrid courses continue to reshape higher education, instructors are increasingly looking for practical ways to design academically robust, accessible, and engaging instruction in our ever-changing educational landscape. In this presentation, a panel of USU librarians will share how our library resources and partnerships with faculty across campus can help strengthen course design and better support student learning.
Librarians representing online learning, instructional design, open educational resources (OER), special collections and archives, and statewide instruction will share examples from the classroom showing how these resources have helped support student learning and engagement in a variety of disciplines. From library Canvas courses to assignment co-design to OER initiatives, our presentation will connect instructors with relevant library resources and services that they can use to create new or update existing course content for in-person, online, asynchronous, and Connect courses.
Presenters
Shawn Hall
Assistant Librarian
Shawn Hall is an Instructional Design Librarian at Utah State University (USU), where he contributes to the development and enhancement of library instruction programs and serves on the library’s STEM liaison team. He holds a Master’s in Library and Information Studies from UCLA, with an emphasis in library instruction and media archival literacy.
Yassin Nacer
Assistant Librarian
Y is a STEM Liaison Librarian at Utah State University (USU), where his work focuses on supporting the creation, adaptation, and adoption of open educational resources (OER) across campus. In addition to his OER initiatives, he provides research and instructional support as part of the library’s STEM liaison program. He holds a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from UCLA, where he developed experience in research support and library consultation services.
Sara Szobody
Assistant Librarian
Sara Szobody is the Online Learning Librarian in User Experience and Engagement at USU Libraries. In this role she serves as the manager of the library’s online learning materials such as research guides, Canvas modules, and instructional videos. Her area of research focuses on online access, virtual learning strategies, and microlearning. Sara holds a Masters in Library Science from Texas Woman’s University. She has presented at the Northwest Archivist Annual Conference and most recently the 2024 Empowering Teaching Excellence Conference. Sara is an active member of the Association of College and Research Libraries, the American Library Association, the Idaho Library Association, and the Utah Library Association.
Michael Harris
Assistant Librarian
Michael Harris came to USU Eastern in 2022 and currently services as the head Eastern’s Library & Learning Commons along with the Statewide Services Librarian, tasked with outreach and delivery to USU’s Statewide Campus network. He is additionally active in research and presentations relating to many aspects of his library work, notably exploring new ways of thinking about, assessing, and designing library spaces from multiple points of view. He holds multiple degrees in both music and library science, including a PhD in musicology from the University of Colorado Boulder (2013) and a Masters of Science in Library Science (emphasis in Archives Management) from Simmons College (2017).
Kelly Rovegno
Assistant Librarian
Kelly Rovegno serves as the University Archivist and Reference Coordinates in Special Collections & Archives at Utah State University (USU). As university archivist, she oversees USU’s permanent historical record, encompassing published materials, faculty papers, office files created by academic departments, extension offices, and statewide campuses. Prior to joining USU, she worked as the processing archivist at Gonzaga University. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Master’s of Archival Studies and a Master’s of Library and Information Science.
Paul Daybell
Assistant Librarian
Paul Daybell joined USU Special Collections & Archives in 2018 and has served in numerous roles including archival cataloging, Encoded Archival Description, and systems administration. He transitioned to his new role as the Special Collections Librarian in 2023, where he curates the library’s rare books and art books collections and supports instruction and outreach efforts. His favorite part of the job is connecting students and researchers with hands-on experiences with the library’s treasures. His research interests include metadata discoverability and library outreach programming.
Jen Kirk
Associate Librarian
Prior to joining USU, Jen worked in civic engagement, managing programs and events in a variety of community settings. At USU, she coordinates the Government Information Program, part of Special Collections & Archives, which includes a collection of 1.4 million documents. She connects government documents to users across the disciplines. Her research interests focus on practical applications of government information librarianship, distribution of government agency publications, and presidential libraries.