Throughout the 2021-22 academic year, the College Libraries exemplified New Era thinking and service to students, faculty, and staff in a number of ways.
First, through an initiative from librarian Jason Anfinsen, the Libraries intentionally sought to create opportunities for students to engage with faculty and peer students outside of the classroom, both on campus and online. Through a series of programs called Nightbrary, library faculty and staff created, promoted, and facilitated events for students to socialize, relax, and learn simultaneously. On campus these events included “non-traditional” ways of using the library space, including, board games, Xbox games, karaoke, and performances by music and theatre students. These events brought in many students who may not have been familiar with the Libraries and the assistance offered there. Online library faculty and staff offered drop-in “Research Rally” events for students to ask questions related to their coursework in a supportive environment. Jason also led the Libraries in a partnership with Addition Financial to offer a sequence of on campus and online sessions on financial literacy. Through all of these initiatives, the Libraries partnered with many other campus units, including Business, Social Sciences, Arts and Communication, Disability Support, Intramurals, Student Life, Marketing, and Media Services.
Secondly, the library faculty collectively spent a significant amount of time during 2021-22 developing practical student learning outcomes that faculty across the college could apply when addressing the college-wide student learning outcome on Information Literacy. The library faculty identified four outcomes that could be used in any disciplinary course that lists Information Literacy as one of three course outcomes. Beyond simply creating the outcomes, however, the library faculty worked hard to continue to develop a programmatic approach that positions librarians as key resource partners in delivering content and designing assessments to ensure that students are meeting the broader outcome.
Finally, during 2021-22 the library staff adjusted very successfully to the implementation of a new process designed to assist students who may lack access to technology. Specifically, in partnership with CTS, the campus libraries became the distribution point for loaning laptops to students for the entire term. These laptops have already proven to be extremely valuable for retaining students by helping them succeed in their courses. This has been particularly true during the past academic year, as the majority of the college’s courses were in an online modality. Library staff had to learn entirely new processes and procedures to support this initiative, and also serve students on the front lines when there may have been issues with the technology. They handled all of these changes with grace and positivity!
In all three of these initiatives, and in many other ways not mentioned, the faculty and staff of the College Libraries have actively embraced innovation and partnerships, all with the goal of serving our students more successfully, with a particular focus on the challenges students have faced in a post-pandemic environment. They have embraced the college’s Core Values in all of this work, and are excited about the future!