Dr. Darlene Parker-Kelly Discusses the Role of the University Librarian
In what ways is the University Library central to students’ academic planning?
I would say that the University Library is central to students’ learning and educational planning, because it transforms them. It is an opportunity for students to understand how information is curated, and how information is disseminated. Oftentimes, we find that when a student comes to Charles R Drew University, the library is sort of central to them because this is a place where they know they can find information.
I see the University Library as a transformational agent in ensuring that students acquire skills that will enable them to become lifelong learners. In fact, one of the things I tell students is that oftentimes when you come in, you have some foundation information, but coming through the library and learning more about the library and what the library has to offer, often enables you to strengthen that foundation. And I think we’ ve seen that is a little bit easier to say now, because with COVID our students immediately understand the depths of what misinformation can do.
How do you ensure that students fully understand the library’ s value in their overall education and training?
Well, this is a continuing process because we must work with the deans, we work with the program directors and the instructors. It’ s not just a onetime one thing. We must work continuously with our faculty as well as our students. Oftentimes, for instance, all the undergraduate students must take a course that is mandated as a core competency from our WASC accreditors. The course is called Information Literacy and Research and Ethics. That’ s a foundation course for every undergraduate student who is enrolled at Charles Drew, but also at any California or any school where WASC is their accreditor.
There are faculty who reach out to me or contact the library on a regular basis to say,‘ we need you or one of your designees to come and talk to us about library resources’. Because their students are doing a thesis project or a concept paper, and they want to make sure that the students understand what resources are available. We can say that we have resources similar to what USC has, resources similar to what UCLA has, and certainly any of the CSUs. We have a plethora of resources. And then more importantly, we have that knowledge of where to go if we don’ t have that resource.
Do you offer students and faculty and orientation about library resources and how to best utilize them?
Yes, we offer the library orientation for every new program. We also conduct the orientation for our residency programs. With new faculty, usually we try to work through their programs to make sure that they are aware of what resources that we have. The office of the registrar has a list of all the
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 8