The Central Piedmont Library’s Embedded Librarian Program (ELP) is offered by the Central Piedmont Community College’s Instructional and Research Services (IRS) department to seated, hybrid, and 100% online curriculum classes. In order to provide consistent, high-quality service, IRS offers the following policies and procedures for faculty. The Central Piedmont Library takes its commitment to student success seriously and appreciates opportunities to collaborate with faculty to make valued contributions to the learning process.

Instructions on embedding a librarian in Brightspace can be found here: Embedding Librarians into Brightspace

The policies outlined below were last updated in Summer 2025.

Embedded Librarian requests may be made by faculty at any time. The ELP’s primary focus is partnering with courses that have assignments containing research and information literacy components. Ability to fulfill requests are based on the following criteria:

Availability

There are a limited number of librarians participating in the ELP during a given semester. Due to unpredictable budgets, individual position responsibilities, and other departmental- and college-related factors, the number of librarians participating each semester is subject to change.

Time of Request

Requests submitted prior to semester start date will be given priority. All embedded librarian requests should be submitted via the Library Instruction Request Form (located on the library’s homepage).

Faculty may request any of the participating librarians listed on the Instruction Request Form, however, depending on availability, another librarian may be assigned to that class.

For seated classes, an embedded librarian will make a brief introductory visit early in the semester and offer sessions, as needed, during the remainder of the semester. Instructors must be present for instruction sessions with the librarian.

Per the Central Piedmont Library’s internal policy, every librarian is expected to adhere to the following:

• Obtain access to course shell(s) in the learning management system (Brightspace).
• Add contact information in the instructor area.
• Communicate with students routinely per the needs of the course and/or assignments.
• Respond to student questions within 2 business days.
• Add content and learning objects supporting course outcomes and assignments.
• Embedded librarians do not proofread student assignments for grammar, punctuation, and mechanics. Please refer students to the Center of Academic Success and Excellence (CASE) for those issues.
• Any work done outside of an individual librarian's normal or assigned business hours is at their own discretion.

• Librarians work as partners with instructors. Once the request is made and the librarian is assigned, IRS encourages the librarian and instructor to communicate as necessary to discuss assignments, individual student performance, and class activities/rubrics related to the research process. Librarians do not grade student assignments on behalf of the instructor.
• Please include the librarian's name and contact information on the syllabus.
• Please remind students about the librarian regularly in communications with them.
• If an instructor is dissatisfied with a librarian in any way, they are encouraged to discuss it first with the embedded librarian and, if no resolution is made, the next step is to discuss with the Assistant Director of Instructional and Research Services.

• The Central Piedmont Library offers one-on-one research assistance to students. These may take the form of schedules in-person visits, phone calls, virtual appointments, and email exchanges.
• At the beginning of the semester, the embedded librarian will post their availability to students. As a baseline, librarian will adhere to the college policy of returning all emails and phone calls within 48 business hours, though some may adopt an individual policy of responding more often at the discretion of the embedded librarian and their supervisor.

In the event of an emergency, IRS staff will be available to take the place of the scheduled librarian. In-person visits may need to be rescheduled.