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Librarians have expertise in helping patrons to define their information needs, develop search strategies and navigate the information environment. At Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates, the authors saw a need for the university’s staff to translate that expertise to help patrons to find materials in their native language, even when they cannot speak that language.

The authors, one Arabic speaker and one non-Arabic speaker, developed a workshop for their peers outlining strategies for translating our expertise as library professionals. In this paper, the authors share both the strategies for translating expertise that they recommended in the workshop, and information on their process in developing those recommendations.

The balance of expertise between the library staff and the patron is somewhat shifted when the search is being conducted in a foreign language. The librarian provides expertise with issues of access. The patron is the expert in her language, the transaction will not be successful without the patron’s contribution and full engagement. Demonstrating a willingness and capability to contribute to the process of searching in the patron’s native language is what is most important.

While there is evidence that libraries are providing foreign language collections and that librarians are considering how to deliver services to English as a Second Language (ESL) patrons, the literature suggests that the profession is not generally focusing on how English-speaking librarians can use their expertise to help patrons to access materials in their native languages.

Safari and travel outfitters know that, while appropriate and high quality gear is essential, it is merely a tool to facilitate the primary goal – a great adventure. Similarly, in outfitting the Lied Library Collaborative Learning Center (CLC), we chose appropriate and high quality technologies, furniture, and equipment to facilitate the primary goal of enhancing learning. In particular we wanted to build in opportunities for increased flexibility, interactivity and collaboration. This article details the rationale and processes that shaped the development of the CLC and shares our initial reactions to the resulting environment.

To provide an update on the impact of new instructional spaces and technologies on the class offerings and professional development efforts of the Lied Libraries' Instruction Department.

Reviews the data on increased numbers of instructional sessions and students reached. Discusses new technologies available in the classrooms and the impact on students and instructors. Provides examples of new professional development opportunities for librarians, program developments, and class offerings.

Provides information on how the Instruction Department was able to take advantage of the campus community's interest in seeing the new library and its resources to market information literacy programs and build lasting relationships with faculty. The Department has used increased contacts to sustain growth and development in programming and services.

This is not a research study, but might point to a need for further research on topics such as sustainable development in instruction programs.

This study has information on revitalizing staff development and instruction programming through marketing contacts and professional development activities.

This study is of special interest to librarians building new facilities or upgrading facilities and technologies.

One of the primary goals of the project was to create a supportive environment for experimentation to enhance classroom effectiveness.

A group of librarians, the enhancement team, scheduled brainstorming sessions with instructors interested in making changes in their classroom approaches. At the brainstorming plans for session objectives, activities, timing, roles and desired outcomes were made for a specific upcoming class. Most participating instructors chose to enhance their classes by trying either an active learning activity or a group work activity that was new to them. A member of the enhancement team attended each of the peer‐planned sessions to take notes and act as an observer, assistant or team teacher, as requested by the instructor. The instructors who participated also filled out brief assessment forms.

Although neither the non‐library faculty nor the students were formally surveyed, the active learning techniques used in the one‐shots received positive feedback. In particular, several teaching faculty told the library instructors at the end of the classes that the immediate hands‐on activities and the group activities aided the students’ comprehension of materials. In addition, a majority of the library instructors noted in their follow‐up surveys that the students were noticeably more engaged in the learning process during these classes.

The model of peer coaching at the planning stage, combined with team teaching, will be used to introduce new staff to teaching in the UNLV Libraries’ instruction department and continuing staff will be encouraged to open their classrooms to colleagues for ongoing professional development and constructive peer evaluation.

The purpose of this guest editorial is to provide an overview of the LOEX‐of‐the‐West 2008 Conference.

The paper is a review the conference, which was hosted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and held from June 4‐6 on the UNLV campus.

The conference provided a forum for learning and thinking about gaming as it applies to information literacy instruction and for sharing ideas, techniques and concerns.

The paper gives an overview of the LOEX‐of‐the‐West 2008 Conference, and the issues raised there.