The Role of Outreach in

Academic Libraries

Heidi CardULS Librarian and Assistant to the Director on

Research & Special ProjectsUniversity of Pittsburgh

hrc5@pitt.edu

The Role of Outreach: Creating a Holistic Learning Community

• Library at the center: Ensuring the library, staff, and resources are visible on campus and in the community

User Groups: Recognizing and interfacing with all students (commuters, diverse populations, distance learners, non-credit learners); faculty; staff; community

Main campus and other regional campuses: Connecting, collaborating, and advocating

On-campus and off-campus groups: Partnering with library to create enriching learning opportunities

Outreach for Students

“As . . . students become more involved, the library will become more significant, more attractive, and more relevant to their daily lives.”

(Karle, 2008, p. 142)

Information literacy: sessions/coaching/consultations “Information Commons” “Embedded librarian”: classrooms, distance learning Reference: IM, email, phone, kiosks (HelpHub) Student newspapers Library website Student organizations/government Provide library space for other learning departments (writing

center, language study) Social networking

Some ideas. . .

Information Commons

Embedded Librarian

In the classroom In distance

learning programs

Traveling Reference Desks

KiosksResidence HallsOffice hours in different schools/depts.

“ . . .emphasizing a hospitable atmosphere will diminish any hesitation or intimidation students may feel toward frequenting the library or consulting the librarians for their information needs.”

(Karle, 2008, p. 142 )

Cafes

If libraries don’t create a place where students want to be, they have plenty of

alternatives.

Comfort: The Thornburgh Room

New 4th Floor Study Room

Outreach for Faculty

Some ideas:

Reference services Informal/formal meetings Collection development collaboration Individual consultations Updates via newsletters or email on new

journals/databases Classroom information literacy Social networking workshops

Faculty Express

Information Literacy EZ Borrow Get It (Libraries to Go) Copyright FAQ Information Literacy

Tutorials Classroom Library

Instruction Request books to be

added to the collections

A permanent Open Access archive for the University’s research output, including ETDs, Preprints, postprints, research data sets, etc.

Provides stable, long-term storage and maintenance the University’s research output by enhancing dissemination and discovery by the worldwide research community

All Documents in D-Scholarship@Pitt (http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu) will be indexed and searchable in: D-Scholarship@Pitt PITTCat + OAI Harvesters and Search Engines (OAIster, Pennsylvania Digital

Library, etc.) Google and other Internet search engines

Publishing Opportunities

Library has more opportunities to act as publisherULS has started many open access ejournals with faculty collaboration

Pitt-produced Open Access Online Journals

Open Journal Systems Publishing

Books on Demand

enhanced academic experience for students more books available to patrons new forms of revenue ability to print digital collections and perfect facsimiles of rare books.

Community Outreach

High school tours Arts & crafts fairs Lectures/Readings Workshops Resource sharing Book clubs Information literacy assistance

“. . . One or two well-conceived and well-executed projects a year will demonstrate the resourcefulness, versatility, and the value of the library and its staff. It will also build a stronger sense of community.”

(Karle, 2008, p. 142)

Partnership with Calliope: The Emerging

Legends Series

Host Events

Readings Performances Films Lectures

Promoting the Library

• Announcements: Newspapers (on-campus and local)

• Signage on campus• Facebook, blogs, YouTube, Twitter• Job fairs • Local school fairs • Volunteer fairs• Events: Gaming/Contests

•Collaborate

•Communicate

•Create life-long learners on campus and off campus who will continue to support and sustain the library as an essential component of the learning community

Conclusion: Fostering the Learning Community

References

Bodnar, J., Valk, A., and Mathews, B. (2008). Challenging your students: Using a contest to promote the library. College & Research Libraries News 69(4), p. 212-213.

Galvin, J. (2005). Alternative strategies for promoting information literacy. The Journal of Academic Librarianship 31(4), p. 352-357.

Karle, E. M. (2008). Invigorating the academic library experience: Creative programming ideas. College & Research Libraries News 69(3), p. 141-144

Ramsay, K. M. & Kinnie, J. (2006). The Embedded librarian. Library Journal. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6317224.html.

Riehle, CF. & Witt, M. (2009) Librarians in the Hall: Instructional Outreach in Campus Residences. College & Undergraduate Libraries, 16(2-3). DOI: 10.1080/10691310902958616

Tag, S. G., Buck, S. & Mautino, M. N. (2007). Creating connections: Library instruction across campus. Research Strategies 20(4), p. 226-241.

Whelan, D. L. (2008). Café Society: Do school libraries need a double shot of espresso? School Library Journal. Retrieved August 21, 2009 from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6515244.html

谢谢！ 謝謝！