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

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The University Library

St Jerome’s University

June 19, 2007

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Aim

To support the research, teaching, and learning needs of faculty, students, and staff

…but also, to support life-long learning– …academic– …personal– …career

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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?

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Some Specifics…

Our Users The Information Commons Reference Service Information Literacy Collections

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Our Users

Faculty– Traditional, reference, books (but they do like the

coffee!)

Students– The Millennials, social networking, information

ubiquitous

With apologies for generalizing!

!

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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)

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A gathering place– Central, free, safe– Speaker’s Corner– Marketplace– Public performances, cultural events, etc.

People coming together

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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!

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Non-library uses of computers– They can assist in learning…they may indeed be

part of the learning (information sharing) process

Noise Food

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Different needs…different solutions Adapt…

– …but can we be everything to everyone?

Collegiality

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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.

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Reference Service

Number of questions being asked at physical reference desk decreasing

Type of questions is changing– Increased directional, simple

Implications?

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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)

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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

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Collections

Space– Never enough!– Convert to electronic as can and as desired

Cost– Electronic versions often more costly– …but can save in space

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Collections

Converting journals as much as possible Converting reference works to electronic Evaluating coverage of electronic and print

indexes Maintaining book collections in print

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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!

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Thank you

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

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