Presentations & Publication

Lessons from Improv Theater: Applying Improvisational Concepts and Techniques to LIS

In March of 2020, I submitted a contributed paper to the Texas Library Association Conference. The paper combines LIS concepts with my experience in improv theater, exploring the application of improv theater toward five aspects of librarianship; teamwork, user services, instruction, reference, and information literacy. These five aspects were drawn from research in 5023: Management of Information Organizations and 5503: Information Literacy and Instruction as well as 5513: Sources and Services.

The paper appeared in a special edition of the Texas Library Journal (Vol. 96, No. 2.5). Although the in-person presentation of the paper was canceled, I recorded an online presentation that was released during the TLA Summer of Learning. Embedded is my presentation for the contributed paper (mins. 0.00-15.40).

Special thanks to Professor Karie Antell and Dr. Buffy Edwards for their feedback!

TLA2020ContributedPapers.mp4

Thinking on Your Feet: Staying in the Moment with Patrons and Coworkers

In July of 2020, I presented the topic of librarian improv in depth for the Oklahoma Library Association Conference. The session was planned to be in-person in April, but was delayed and presented virtually in July. The change in format necessitated changes in my presentation. Where I originally led the audience in active exercises, I invited two library student employees (both recipients of the Luccock Oustanding Student Award in consecutive years) to demonstrate the exercises over Zoom. I also utilized BigBlueButton's drawing feature to lead two volunteers through the concept of "yes, and." I gave the presentation a second time at the Kansas Library Association Conference in October 2020. Embedded is my presentation at OLA (44:24 minutes).

Two volunteers collaborate on drawing a picture.

A presentation slide says "Free Draw" at the top left. On the rest of the slide, OLA librarians have drawn various pictures, including faces, flowers and avocados.

OLA librarians drawing on my presentation during Q&A.

We are What They Grow Beyond: Student Employment as High-Impact Practice

In July of 2021 I will present on student employment as high-impact practice at the Oklahoma Library Association Conference with Courtney Oliphant and Patrick Wright. The presentation will draw on my research done in 5233: Oklahoma Information Environment, which explored tiered or peer-to-peer reference models for student employees, and 5713: Research and Evaluation Methods, which developed possible methods of evaluating high-impact practices. The description reads:

"High-Impact Practices" are projects, activities and experiences that have the greatest impact on student learning and achievement. Student employment at a library can also be that kind of formative and meaningful part of a college experience. Join University of Oklahoma Libraries supervisors in an exploration of student employment at OU Libraries, and learn how student employee positions affect students academically, professionally, and personally.

Courtney Oliphant

Patrick Wright

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