Partners in crime: A collaborative approach to solving students’ study and learning mysteries

This paper discusses QUT Library’s Study Solutions - a new Library service introduced as a middle tier of individual learning and study support. Staffed by academic skills advisors (ASAs) and librarians, it complements existing services provided by librarians at Library helpdesks (tier 1) and specialist services provided by academic skills advisers (tier 3). Study Solutions allows students 25 minute appointments with a Library professional to work together on issues such as task analysis, assignment structure or research and referencing concerns. This paper focuses on the pilot introduced in Semester 1 2010, including organisational and workforce changes, procedural and administrative issues, change management and, particularly staff development strategies to address librarians’ concerns regarding their confidence and experience with assisting students develop academic literacy. As a professional partnership, Study Solutions enables staff to learn from each other, combine their knowledge and experience and, in doing so, strengthen both professions. In addition to discussing the rationale and providing a brief profile of the service, this paper outlines aspects of the service that distinguishes Study Solutions from other models of one-to-one learning support. Finally, it reports findings from a staff perception study which investigated staff expectations of their role, their levels of confidence before their involvement and their confidence after the provision of training and mentoring. Perceptions of both ASAs and Librarians regarding the value of blending their professional responsibilities to provide collaborative support for students are discussed, as well their reflections on the professional challenges, benefits and points of satisfaction.