Examining the Teaching Needs of Engineering Faculty: How the Library and Librarian Fit In

Teaching is a common responsibility among many subject librarians [1], as is supporting faculty in their own teaching pursuits [2]. However, what this support looks like can vary greatly depending on the academic area, the course, or the specific faculty member. This study aimed to understand the needs of engineering faculty members, especially those who had not worked directly with the engineering librarian for library resource instruction. The study was modeled after a similar multi-site study conceived and organized by Ithaka S+R, a not-for-profit organization that provides guidance and support for academic and cultural communities, that explored the teaching needs of business faculty members [3]. Interviews were conducted with faculty members from the departments of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and Industrial & Systems Engineering in the summer of 2020. This paper examines the main teaching themes that emanated from the analysis of the interview transcripts: course materials needed and created by engineering faculty, how library research skills are introduced to engineering students, and how COVID-19 impacted the way engineering faculty approached course preparation for the fall 2020 semester. Recommendations for additional research and future faculty outreach are also prescribed.