Fostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds in the Classroom
Demonstrating the Library's Value to the University
1. Demonstrating the Value ofLibraries in Academe SLA and CO-ASIS&T Program August 3, 2010 Lynn Scott Cochrane, MSLS, PhD Director of Libraries Denison University Granville, OH
2. In ancient times monasteries, convents, and royalty preserved and advanced knowledge through their libraries. They also controlled what became “history.” From midieval times colleges and universities have done the same. Two years after its founding by the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Harvard College received a 1638 bequest of 400 books from minister John Harvard and adopted his name For the past century plus, accreditation agencies have required libraries. Libraries are a Given in Higher Ed, Right?
3. Two Key Components to Success A “seat at the table” for the library in the parent institution Constituent Recognition & Support Yes, But…Demonstrating Your Value = Better Budgets
4. Where on the institution’s organization chart is the chief librarian and what’s the title (dean/director/university librarian)? Can you influence/change your position, if needed? Who controls the source of your primary support? Can you influence that source or introduce secondary sources? A Seat at the Table
5. Negotiate when you’re offered the job Title In academe “Dean” puts you with the deans of the colleges or schools Reporting Line(s) As close to the source of support/$$ as possible Start-up money So you can make visible improvements early on Take advantage of your brief “honeymoon” New positions, facilities, services, or improve standing with peer group A Seat at the Table
6. Make Your Boss & Colleagues Look Good Do NOT waste their time. Know what they’re interested in and provide information about that topic. Find a way to say “yes” to what they want. Never bring a problem forward that you don’t have at least one solution for. A Seat at the Table
7. It’s all about marketing and public relations @ your library® Toolkit for Academic and Research Libraries ACRL marketing toolkit Events/Programs Give-aways Publications Awards Advisory groups Press relations - use your institution’s development office Constituent Recognition & Support
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10. Obj. 2: Increase public awareness of Denison’s Archives and Special Collections, of the Depository Library Program, of copyright issues in an academic setting, and of our space as a university andcommunity resource.
11. Obj. 3: Increase public programming in the library.Etc. Marketing Plan
12. Orientation scavenger hunt/poker run/ etc. Lemonade stand and give-aways @ beginning of school Library Links newsletter – 3 times/year http://www.denison.edu/library/library_links.html Banners and sandwich board out front Frequent student recognition Web site When staff vacancies occur, reallocate the position to what users need/want, then TELL THEM. Marketing & Public Relations
13. READ Posters of our faculty & staff Marketing & Public Relations
14. Display and gift book with book plates to honor the library’s graduating student assistants Marketing & Public Relations
15. Library Event Plan 2009/10 Welcome Reception Government Documents/Constitution Day Hispanic Heritage Week Banned Books Week Fall Hilltoppers Concert Fall Ladies' Night Out Concert Fall Tehilla Concert End-of-Semester Employee Potluck Martin Luther King, Jr. Reception Edible Books Festival National Library Week Spring Hilltoppers Concert Spring Ladies' Night Out Concert Spring Tehilla Concert Government Documents/Constitution Day Display Consumption Display Black History/Women's History Month Display National Library Week Display Senior Student Employee Books Display Denison Staff Display at Circulation Desk Marketing & Public Relations Whose Birthday Is It?
16. Demonstrating the value of your library is the responsibility of ALL library staff. THINK about and articulate the value of your library to your organization. Make a PLAN for demonstrating your value. Involve all library staff and your user advocates in the plan. Start in September, 2010 JUST DO IT! Demonstrate the Value of Your Library
