Information Technology in the Academic Library

Dian Schaffhauser provides an example of an academic library and IT department providing their functions sharing the same building.

Because library technology and student projects both rely on information technology, I think this partnership can make sense. In my experience, the training librarians receive in interviewing and customer service enables them to calm frustrated students (and faculty) and to refer these people to the help they need.

-DD

Teaching Library Research Skills

Beth Black offers tips on teaching library skills to first year university students.

-DD

Academic Libraries of the Future

Patrick Cain shares notes from a brainstorming session on the academic library in the 21st century .

-DD

Study Justifies the Existence of Academic Libraries

OCLC developed a document called: "Academic Library Impact: Improving Practice and Essential Areas to Research ."

-DD

Reference Interactions In Academic Libraries Decline

Brian Mathews notes that academic libraries have reported a 75% drop in questions asked at a reference desk over the past two decades, but contends that librarians offer new undocumented services which replace those interactions.

-DD

Why People Love Libraries

Brian Mathews shares survey data gathered from university students, and discovered that those who frequent the library bond with the like-minded librarians and students. Friendliness, conveying to your clientele that each individual is valued, it key to making a library a welcome place.

-DD

Insights From a Library Advisory Board

Brian Mathews notes that some Virginia Tech students want to share their moment-by-moment location with the university, by having the university record swipe card transactions at doorways on campus. The students seem to believe that surrendering this bit of privacy will allow the university to provide more staffing and other resources where it is needed.

I perceive this as a refreshing bit of trust conveyed by these students.

-DD

Edutainment

Toni Fuhrman tells about Edutainment apps crafted at Georgia Regents University.   The University made a substantial commitment of resources to allow mobile apps to be developed by University staff, providing rapid development of apps relevant to student needs. The University library does list third-party apps which meet students research needs.

-DD

 

What Customers Think About the Academic Library

Lorraine Haricombe and Cathy De Rosa presented on "Parents, Alumni and Libraries: What our customers really believe about the library."

 

 

-DD

The Value of Academic Libraries

The American Library Association released in 2012 a report addressing the value of academic libraries, titled, "Connect, Collaborate and Communicate." This document for librarians desiring to show the value of their contribution to their institution.

-DD