In Bed with the Library - A Critical Exploration of Embedded Librarianship at the City University of New York

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by jay

This project examines the efficacy and scalability of embedded librarianship within the City University of New York (CUNY) library system, based on an original 2015 research study. It analyzes recent library and information science literature on embedment, survey response data from librarians, and selected library position descriptions to assess implications for librarians and libraries. The study clarifies contexts, platforms for virtual embedment, and obstacles faced by librarians, proposing strategies and starting dialogue about future classroom and educational technology integration.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Definitions of embedded librarianship

Opportunities and challenges

Institutional case study and research aims

In Bed with the Library: A Critical Exploration of Embedded Librarianship at the City University of New York Nora Almeida, New York City College of Technology (CUNY) Julia Pollack, Bronx Community College Abstract This project considers the efficacy and scalability of embedded librarianship initiatives within the City University of New York (CUNY) library system and presents findings ofan original research study conducted in 2015. Through an analysis of recent LIS literature on embedment, response data from a survey of librarians, and a selection of library position descriptions, this article examines the implications of embedment practices for librariansand libraries. By shedding light on the extent and context of embedment, the platforms used in virtual embedment scenarios, and obstacles that librarians presently face, this study aims to pinpoint strategies for embedded librarianship initiatives and begin a productive dialogue about the future of library integration in classrooms and educational technology platforms. Keywords: embedded librarianship; educational technology; information literacy Almeida, N. & Pollack, J. (2017) . In bed with the library: A critical exploration of embedded librarianship at the City University of New York. Communications in Information Literacy, 11(1), 122-146. Copyright for articles published in Communications in Information Literacy is retained by the author(s). Author(s) also extend to Communications in Information Literacy the right to redistribute this article via other scholarly resources and bibliographic databases. This extension allows the authors'copyrighted content to be included in some databases that are distributed and maintained by for-profit companies. All other rights of redistribution are licensed by Communications in Information Literacy under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BYNC-SA 4 .0) . In Bed with the Library: A Critical Exploration of Embedded Librarianship at the City University of New York Introduction Embedded librarianship can be many things, but always includes some kind of ongoing relationship between the librarian and a class, either electronically or in person. I think it requires the librarian entering class spaces rather than the class entering library spaces. Embedded librarianship involves establishing a relationship with students to assist them. Embedded librarianship can mean virtually inserting library services in an online learning environment (usually a CMS) . Embedded librarianship entails assisting faculty and students with additional research after classroom instruction. Embedded librarianship refers to strategies and methods academic librarians implement to collaborate with subject faculty in team-teaching initiatives. Embedded librarianship refers to instruction or other library services which are integrated into curriculum and/or take place outside of the geographic boundaries of the library. The definitions of embedded librarianship highlighted above were supplied by academic librarians at the City University of New York (CUNY) . These quotes were selected from more than 50 responses to the anonymous, open-ended survey question: “How would you define embedded librarianship?” They illustrate the variety of ways that embedment can be defined within the context of a single university system. Some librarians privilege direct interaction between librarians, faculty, and students while others emphasize library service integration. Some respondents conceptualize embedded librarianship as closely tied to online education or situated in the context of a specific course. Others conceive of embedded librarianship more broadly as a flexible model for collaborative interaction. Most respondents consider the role of the librarian outside of the geographic boundaries of the library. Several librarians reference collaborative teaching and curricular development. These basic tenants

FAQs

What does embedded librarianship involve according to the study?

It involves an ongoing relationship between librarians and classes, which can be electronic or in person, and may include integrating library services into curriculum or online learning environments.

Why does the article focus on the City University of New York (CUNY)?

The authors use an institutional case study to explore how widely and in what contexts embedment occurs, including platforms used in virtual scenarios, and the resulting implications for CUNY libraries and the CUNY academic community.

What challenges do librarians face in embedded initiatives?

Librarians often struggle to be seen as full instructional partners, are frequently excluded from educational technology decision making, and may have job responsibilities that do not include work beyond the library.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by jay