At Elgin Community College, librarian Stacey Shah bridges the gap for online students by guiding them through digital resources and support essential for distance learning success. 

Q: Can you explain what the ALA is and your role in the organization?

A: “The ALA is the American Library Association, and it is the biggest association of librarians I think in the world. My role is just as a member, but I am involved in some of the sub-groups of it, so I am also a member of ACRL which is the Association of College and Research Libraries.”

Q: How do you define the role of being a “Distance Learning Librarian”, and what inspired you to pursue this path?

A: “My big responsibility is to students who are learning off campus or online, but that also includes hybrid. It’s further extended to students who are in classes that are enhanced by a learning management system so it really encompasses a lot of different students. One of my responsibilities is to make sure that the services and resources we have available on campus to students who can come in are still available to students who may never set foot in the library.”

Q: What kinds of literacy learning objectives have you modified or helped create?

A: “At ECC, information literacy is a general learning outcome and so I’ve been involved in efforts to measure that on campus. We actually do really well in that area.” 

Q: The ALA is all about inclusivity, how does your participation in campus committees shape institutional equity and inclusion?

A: “For librarians, we try to make it as accessible for everyone. I help lead a student advisory library committee. One of the things I talk to students about is how libraries should serve their communities. That means everybody in the community. There’s a real push in librarianship to ensure that we are reaching everybody and that everybody has a say, and that we’re not collecting resources just for the loudest voices.”

Q: Would you mind describing a memorable experience working with students through your distance learning efforts that has reaffirmed your passion for this job?

A: “An older student of mine always sat in the back of the classroom with students who felt more comfortable using the technology that we need, and that student didn’t feel comfortable around them. I said at one point when I was talking to the class that it’s okay to feel intimidated by that, and that librarian support is not just a one-time thing. That student then made a bunch of appointments with me and I sat with them and watched them grow into their full potential.”

Q: Lastly, looking ahead, what ideas or innovations do you see emerging for distance learning librarianship?

A: “I think they need to change librarianship in our practices a lot. Especially building relationships with students because I believe when students get more comfortable with someone, they’re more likely to get the support and help that they need.”