Lights, Camera, Learn! A Cross-Organizational Approach to Noon-Hour Information Literacy Instruction

Abstract

Introduction: Lunch and learn series are a common method of education delivery in healthcare. Increasingly, learners want and expect the option to view recordings and supplemental materials afterwards. How do librarians leverage existing supports and educational offerings to meet the modern needs of healthcare professionals, researchers, and students? Description: Librarians across three organizations collaborated on developing and delivering a four-part lunch and learn series to empower attendees with practical information-gathering, evaluation, and synthesis skills. Technologies from each organization were employed for promotion, registration, evaluation, online delivery, and recording. Two original content sessions were presented by the librarian organizers (Creating Effective Research Questions; Screening & Appraising Results), a panel discussion focused on synthesizing information (Synthesizing Information), and a session delivered by healthcare professionals demonstrated an evidence-gathering framework to change local practice (Using Evidence to Change Practice). Feedback surveys were automatically emailed to registrants after each session. Outcomes: 105 people registered across organizations and 63 attended, while 23 completed the feedback survey. Overall, participants were satisfied with the content and identified it as filling knowledge gaps. The majority of survey respondents identified as Researcher (n=6) or Program Coordinator (n=8). Respondents ranked preferred topics for follow-up sessions which will inform planning of future series. Discussion: Affiliates of our health organizations have a range of information needs that are not all met with current training offerings. Creating opportunities for people involved in knowledge creation to acquire skills and engage with colleagues doing similar work demonstrates librarian engagement and the value of our services.