The (Un)Common Instructor: A New Role for Medical Librarians Beyond Information Literacy.

Area of Science:

• Higher Education
• Academic Libraries
• Student Success

Background:

• University common reading programs aim to foster shared experiences and critical thinking for incoming students.
• Traditional programs assign a single book to all students.
• The University of Florida Honors Program offers an alternative approach with varied books and assignments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the involvement of Health Science Center librarians in the University of Florida's (un)common reads program.
• To outline the benefits of this program for students, librarians, and the university.

Main Methods:

• Librarian participation in the (un)common reads program since 2010-2011.
• Facilitation of critical thinking skills development through diverse texts and flexible assignments.
• Analysis of program outcomes for stakeholders.

Main Results:

• Librarian involvement enhances the educational experience within the (un)common reads program.
• Students benefit from diverse reading materials and innovative learning activities.
• The program fosters a collaborative environment between librarians and faculty.

Conclusions:

• The University of Florida's (un)common reads model, with librarian integration, effectively promotes critical thinking and a positive transition to college.
• This innovative approach offers a scalable and beneficial alternative to traditional common reading programs.
• The program demonstrates the significant impact of academic librarians in higher education settings.