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NYU Graduate Student Academic & Research Experience

NYU Graduate Student Academic & Research Experience. ARL Fall Forum Lucinda Covert-Vail & Carol A. Mandel 12 October 2007. 21 st Century Library for Faculty and Graduate Student Research. Focus on the research environment Conversations across 25 disciplines 65 interviews with faculty

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NYU Graduate Student Academic & Research Experience

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  1. NYU Graduate Student Academic & Research Experience ARL Fall Forum Lucinda Covert-Vail & Carol A. Mandel 12 October 2007

  2. 21st Century Library for Faculty and Graduate Student Research • Focus on the research environment • Conversations across 25 disciplines • 65 interviews with faculty • focus groups with graduate students • Literature reviews • Team reviews (faculty, administrators, librarians) • Idea and Inspiration Book (tool for thinking about the libraries) • Study conducted with the assistance of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (KPL) • LibQUAL+ *

  3. Conversations Probed… • Rhythm of research • Preferred research and work environments • Information resources • Tools for thinking • Collaboration • Communication modes for disseminating research • Tools for teaching • Role of the library • User experience

  4. Key Dimensions of the Graduate Student’s Environment • Scholars in training • Spaces and surroundings • Scholarly community / interdisciplinarity • Discovery and access • Tools for teaching

  5. Spaces & Surroundings • “Early in my career, I spent a lot of time doing research. Now, later in my career, I need a lot more spaces for writing.” (Anthropology) • “I like having wireless, multi-tasking, listening to music, and taking breaks.” (Education & Jewish Studies) • “…it’s hard when the undergraduates next to you are flirting.” (Education)

  6. Community • “It can be very stimulating to feel like you are a part of a community of scholars.”(Anthropology) • “Experiences that brought me in closer contact with others who are doing similar work would be useful.”(Humanities) • “My research is very multi-disciplinary and far-reaching. I have had to stretch and learn about finance and banking, areas in which I had very little experience and expertise.”(Humanities)

  7. Findings • Desire to feel part of intellectually stimulating and energizing communities • Places to interact, both intentionally and serendipitously – “neutral” spaces • Complexity of disciplines, interdisciplinarity • Tools and connectors for interaction • Value of behavioral aspects of user experience

  8. Discovery • “50 percent of my library use involves the virtual tools like data searches & downloading services…I generally don’t linger in the library – I get the information I need and leave.”(Politics) • “There’s a gap between technological innovation…and my knowledge and skills in accessing it. I’m constantly worried that I’m missing something.”(Humanities) • “I use CatNYP, BobCat and others to make sure that I’m getting the broadest perspective.” (History) • “I didn’t realize there was a librarian for the business collection – I have struggled to find the right resources & would welcome help in the area.” (Humanities)

  9. Findings • Universal dependence on virtual tools • Personal control • Personalization • Convenience, efficiency, fluidity, transparency • Assistance – lack of awareness about services, inexperience with sources, research strategies • Expectation/desire to access physical collections and tools for thinking in different ways, dissatisfaction with tools • Changing perception of discovery tools

  10. Tools for Teaching • “It seems like it will be hard to plan the syllabus, especially because it requires you to break out of your current research. I will probably rely on past syllabi as inspirations for the one I am creating.”(History) • “I try to put together readers that minimize the costs for students.”(Sociology)

  11. Findings • First time course development • Pushed beyond comfort level • Increased reliance on primary sources • Limited awareness of library/university support services • Reluctance to approach faculty advisors

  12. Strategic Implications • Create more spaces and mechanisms for inspiration • Enable collaboration and connections within and across disparate disciplines • Make the discovery, access and delivery process more efficient and more powerful • Expand services beyond traditional conceptions of the library • Rebrand the expectation of “library”

  13. New York University Libraries Lucinda Covert-Vail Carol A. Mandel lcv@nyu.edu carol.mandel@nyu.edu NYU 21st Century Library Project: Designing a Research Library of the Future for New York University. Report of a Study of Faculty and Graduate Student Needs for Research and Teaching http://www.library.nyu.edu/about/KPLReport.pdf

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