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The University Library

The University Library. St Jerome’s University June 19, 2007. Aim. To support the research, teaching, and learning needs of faculty, students, and staff …but also, to support life-long learning …academic …personal …career. How can we support this aim?. What is a university library?

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The University Library

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  1. The University Library St Jerome’s University June 19, 2007

  2. Aim • To support the research, teaching, and learning needs of faculty, students, and staff • …but also, to support life-long learning • …academic • …personal • …career

  3. How can we support this aim? • What is a university library? • Collection of books, periodicals, etc. • Study space • A place to learn…and share • A place to hang out A physical space or a virtual space?

  4. Some Specifics… • Our Users • The Information Commons • Reference Service • Information Literacy • Collections

  5. With apologies for generalizing!! Our Users • Faculty • Traditional, reference, books (but they do like the coffee!) • Students • The Millennials, social networking, information ubiquitous

  6. The Information Commons • The phrase "Information Commons" refers to our shared knowledge-base and the processes that facilitate or hinder its use. It also refers to a physical space, usually in an academic library, where any and all can participate in the processes of information research, gathering and production. The term commons refers to the land (or common grounds) that villagers shared for grazing purposes in simpler times. (Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_commons, June 15, 2007)

  7. The Information Commons • A gathering place • Central, free, safe • Speaker’s Corner • Marketplace • Public performances, cultural events, etc. • People coming together

  8. The Information Commons • Place for “information research, gathering and production” • Books, journals, indexes, etc. (print and electronic) • Technology (word processing/presentation, spreadsheets, statistical software, e-mail, IM, etc.) • Private study space, group study/practice space • Reference Librarians/Specialists!

  9. The Information Commons • Non-library uses of computers • They can assist in learning…they may indeed be part of the learning (information sharing) process • Noise • Food

  10. The Information Commons • Different needs…different solutions • Adapt… • …but can we be everything to everyone? • Collegiality

  11. The Information Commons • Porter Information Commons Planning Team, 2003; Porter 3rd Floor Renovation Team, 2004-2005 • Beagle, Donald Robert. The Information Commons Handbook. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2006.

  12. Reference Service • Number of questions being asked at physical reference desk decreasing • Type of questions is changing • Increased directional, simple • Implications?

  13. Reference Service • Librarians/Specialists at a physical desk • Most literature says free up the Librarian’s time for other activities • Appointments/Consultations • More conducive to complex queries? • Virtual Reference (chat/e-mail) • Compatible with electronic/virtual research environment • Online Tutorials, FAQ’s, etc. • 24/7 assistance

  14. Reference Service • Reference Desk • Chat Reference • Currently, • Presentations and examples of specific resources • Course-related pages • Exploring • online tutorial software, quizzes, etc. for more interactive experience

  15. Information Literacy • Just-in-time/Point-of-need • Reference “desk” • In-class (activity-specific) • Curriculum-integrated • Move beyond the basics (bibliographic instruction) to transference, evaluative, critical thinking • The online environment (UW-ACE)

  16. Information Literacy • Transference beyond the academic • Find information for life • Job search • Health information • Government information (taxes, passports, etc.) • The latest gadget • Evaluate information and/or the source

  17. Information Literacy • Chair, LINC (Library Instruction Committee) • Allows the exploration of current issues, alternative methods, etc. • Deliver course-related instruction (in-class and through specially created web-pages) • Deliver general library instruction • Embarking on Statistical Literacy initiative • Understanding statistics and their use (for the layperson!) • Statistics Canada • Nesstar (access to data and surveys)

  18. Collections • Journals and journal indexes • Increasingly electronic • UW Libraries: from 5% of acquisitions budget to 60% within the past 5 years on electronic resources • Increased access • Intellectual and physical • Collaboration and consortial deals (OCUL/CKRN) increasing • Books • Still appears that print is desired

  19. Collections • Space • Never enough! • Convert to electronic as can and as desired • Cost • Electronic versions often more costly • …but can save in space

  20. Collections • Converting journals as much as possible • Converting reference works to electronic • Evaluating coverage of electronic and print indexes • Maintaining book collections in print

  21. In Conclusion… • Times are changing… • …but are the basic needs? • Need to balance users’ differing needs • Need to balance users’ desires with appropriate delivery methods • Remain responsive, dream big, but be practical!

  22. Thank you

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