Written specifically for academic librarians and library administrators, this book identifies the myriad benefits of peer-assisted learning, exploring how the implementation of peer-assisted learning benefits information literacy instruction, cocurricular outreach, and reference services.In this era of accountability-and stretched budgets-in higher education, librarians need to make instructional programming both highly effective and sustainable. Peer-assisted learning is a methodology that has long been accepted in teaching but is relatively new as applied to academic library instruction, outreach, and reference. This book brings together the most innovative applications of peer-assisted learning in these contexts, explaining specific ways to apply peer-assisted learning in a variety of academic library settings for maximum benefit.This guidebook begins with an extensive literature review of the theoretical underpinnings of peer-assisted learning and the various benefits these programs can provide academic librarians and peer mentors. The bulk of the book's content is organized into three sections that address the subjects of information literacy instruction, cocurricular outreach, and reference services separately. Each section showcases real-world examples of peer-assisted learning at a variety of academic institutions. Through these case studies, readers can fully understand the development, implementation, and assessment of a peer-assisted learning program, and librarians and administrators will see the practical benefits of enriching the experiences of student employees. Practitioners will receive inspiration and guidance through chapters that discuss training activities, identify lessons learned, and explain the implications for further research.

ForewordPatricia IannuzziIntroductionPart I: Peer-Assisted Learning in Information Literacy Instruction1 The Research Mentor Program at the University of New Hampshire Manchester LibraryAnnie Donahue, Carolyn Gamtso, and Kim Donovan2 The LibRAT Program at Cal Poly, San Luis ObispoBrett Bodemer3 The Mathlete Program at the University of Oregon LibrariesGenevieve Schaack and Annie Zeidman-Karpinski4 Library Peer Mentors at Utah State UniversityPamela Martin5 The Mason Undergraduate Peer Research Coach Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas LibrariesErin Rinto, John Watts, and Rosan MitolaPart II: Peer-Assisted Learning in Co-Curricular Outreach6 Library House Outreach Program at Harvard CollegeAnna Esty, Alexis Gomez, Ramona Islam, Vegas Longlois, and Reed Lowrie7 Library Living Learning Connection at Indiana University of Pennsylvania LibrariesTheresa McDevitt and Malaika M. Turner8 Peer Research Coaches at the University of Texas at San Antonio LibrariesTyler A. Dunn, Jan H. Kemp, and Ellen V. Blumberg9 Master Builders of build IT @San Diego State University LibraryJenny Wong-WelchPart III: Peer-Assisted Learning in Reference Services10 Peer Research Mentors at Gettysburg CollegeClinton Baugess, Mallory Jallas, Meggan Smith, and Janelle Wertzberger11 The Learning Commons Research Assistance Program at Indiana University LibrariesMichael Courtney and Kate Otto12 The Peer Research Assistants at the Michigan State University LibrariesEmilia R. Marcyk and Benjamin Oberdick13 Peer Reference Services at Southern Illinois University CarbondaleJoshua Vossler14 Undergraduate Research Assistants at Hope CollegeJessica Hronchek and Rachel BishopIndexAbout the Editors and Contributors