Ever increasing user demand for value-added digital resources and enabling navigation assistance requires innovative thinking that enhances traditional physical reference service strategies with new Web-based solutions. The Cal Poly agribusiness digital research portal project demonstrates that heightened collaboration between a subject specialist librarian and academic teaching faculty can enrich students' educational experiences. In this pilot project, information literacy concepts are paired with core disciplinary content to improve relational context during users' interaction with digital research tools and resource materials. This teaching librarian model leverages a Web-based research portal design and development process that embeds information literacy in academic curricula, even as it ensures organizational learning.