Micro-Programming: A Dynamic and Flexible Approach to Student Engagement

Abstract

Academic library outreach and engagement often works at the nexus of multiple challenges. Librarians must meet the needs and interests of patron communities, make the most of limited staff time and resources, and navigate competing priorities for time and attention across campus. Over the last several years, our team of teaching librarians at Virginia Tech has sought out multiple opportunities to rethink and restrategize some of our approaches to these challenges. One approach, which we refer to as “micro-programming,” combines active learning techniques from the classroom with the flexibility and direct-to-student delivery method of outreach work such as tabling or events. In this paper, we will identify the principles our team has developed in experimenting with micro-programming and factors to consider for implementing this practice at other institutions.