Douglas Olsen
Librarians play a crucial role in the academic success of students, especially in large universities, by providing resources, guidance, and a sense of community. The library is often referred to as the campus living room, where students socialize, study, and collaborate. Developing relationships with students is essential for librarians to understand their needs and provide effective support. This can be achieved through face-to-face interactions, workshops, and participation in campus events. Librarians also collaborate with faculty and other departments to create holistic success for students, including academic, professional, and personal development. They are well-positioned to act as change agents and build partnerships that positively impact the campus community. However, challenges exist, such as the need for creative professionals and diverse perspectives in the field.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Librarians are often an overlooked source of academic assistance | Librarians help students interpret assignments, develop topics, and discuss different facets of a project |
| Libraries are a great place for students to socialize, study, hang out, and even sleep | Librarians strive to be available and accessible to students |
| Libraries are well-positioned to act as change agents by partnering with a wide variety of interests | Librarians are building partnerships for faculty development, distance education, information technology, student support, and assessment of learning outcomes |
| Librarians have developed diverse technology skills and specialized expertise | Librarians are making the library the center for teaching, learning, and research |
| Librarians are not directly responsible for retention and graduation rates | Librarians contribute to larger goals in their own ways |
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What You'll Learn
Librarians as educators
Librarians are often an overlooked academic resource, as they are defined more by the resources they offer than the assistance they can provide. However, they can be incredibly important educators for students, especially new students, in helping them academically and in establishing them in the university community. Librarians can help students interpret assignments, develop topics, and discuss different facets of a project. Face-to-face interaction is often helpful for talking through these points and lining up resources for students. Librarians also contribute to student success by being available and accessible. Many librarians strive to be present for student questions or consultations, both in person and virtually. Librarians will often conduct workshops or teach outside of normal working hours to reach students. Librarians also play a role in connecting students to the larger university community. Libraries are often referred to as "the campus living room", reflecting a place where students go to socialize, study, and hang out. Libraries are embracing this idea by creating "commons" areas with movable furniture, coffee shops, and places for groups to gather. Librarians can also build relationships with faculty members, which can benefit student learning and research. This can involve getting involved in new faculty candidate interviews, attending social events, and collaborating on teaching and learning initiatives.
Librarians can also play a crucial role in helping students develop information skills and become information literate. They can work with faculty partners to create teaching modules, customize teaching to appropriate student levels, and ensure that students receive guidance and assistance in a collaborative learning environment. Academic librarians, in particular, have diverse technology skills and specialized expertise, which enable them to assume leadership roles in higher education. They can provide an inviting and accessible information environment for students and ensure that students learn appropriate information skills to become productive members of the information society.
Overall, librarians can play a significant role in educating students, not just by providing resources but also through direct assistance, relationship-building, and teaching information skills. By embracing their role as educators, librarians can positively impact student success and learning outcomes.
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Student success and retention
Academic librarians can play a crucial role in student success and retention, especially in large universities. They can achieve this through various means, including by acting as mentors, providing academic assistance, and helping students feel connected to the university community.
Librarians can act as mentors to students, guiding them in their academic pursuits and helping them develop essential skills. For example, librarians can assist students in interpreting assignments, developing topics, and identifying relevant library resources for their projects. This type of mentorship can be particularly beneficial for first-year and incoming students who may be unfamiliar with the library's resources and services.
Additionally, librarians can contribute to student success by making themselves available and accessible to students. This may involve conducting workshops, teaching outside of normal working hours, and even travelling to satellite campuses to facilitate library use. Librarians are often defined by the resources they offer, but it is their assistance and human connection that can make a significant difference in a student's experience.
The library itself also plays a vital role in student retention. The library is often referred to as the "campus living room," serving as a place for students to socialize, study, and feel connected to the university community. Libraries that embrace this idea by creating comfortable and inviting spaces, such as common areas with movable furniture and coffee shops, encourage students to spend time there. This sense of belonging and connection to the university can positively impact a student's likelihood to persist in their studies.
Furthermore, librarians can build relationships with faculty members, creating collaborative partnerships that benefit student learning and research. By working together and sharing their expertise, librarians and faculty can ensure that students receive the guidance and assistance they need in a timely and effective manner. This may involve participating in faculty interviews, social events, and campus activities to foster these relationships and create a supportive environment for students.
Finally, librarians must stay agile and adapt to the evolving needs of students. This includes improving access to online education and integrating resources into learning management systems, ensuring that students can easily access the information they need, regardless of their learning style or location.
In conclusion, academic librarians can have a significant impact on student success and retention in large universities. By offering mentorship, creating a sense of community, collaborating with faculty, and adapting to student needs, librarians contribute to a supportive and enriching educational environment.
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Outreach and accessibility
Librarians are often an overlooked source of academic assistance, as they are defined more by the resources they offer than the help they can provide. However, they can be crucial in helping students interpret assignments, develop topics, and discuss different facets of a project. Outreach and answering student queries are a large part of a librarian's role. Librarians are also not bound by a normal working day and will often conduct workshops at night or teach outside of normal working hours to reach students.
The library is especially important to new students in helping them academically and establishing them in the university community. Librarians are keen to ensure that all students learn appropriate information skills to help them achieve information fluency and become productive members of the information society. This includes teaching modules for undergraduates, subject majors, and graduate and professional programs. It also involves customizing teaching to appropriate student levels and students' existing knowledge bases. Librarians also work to connect students to the larger systems of the college or university to promote success in all avenues.
Librarians are building partnerships on campus for faculty development, distance education, information technology, student support, and assessment of learning outcomes. They are making the library the center for teaching, learning, and research on campus by providing the most inviting and accessible information environment. Librarians are also involved in student recruitment and retention.
To build relationships with faculty, librarians must reach out and make connections, getting involved in new faculty candidate interviews, social events, and campus events. They must also listen to the answers and learn as much as they can, taking notes for future reference. Librarians can also collaborate with other campus departments to gain new perspectives and thoughts.
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Librarian-faculty relationships
Librarians can and do develop relationships with students at large universities. The library is often referred to as "the campus living room", reflecting its role as a place where students socialise, study, and even sleep. Librarians are an important source of academic assistance and guidance for students, helping them interpret assignments, develop topics, and identify relevant resources. They also contribute to student success by being available and accessible, often beyond the confines of a traditional working day.
To foster stronger librarian-faculty relationships, early and consistent communication is key. Establishing clear expectations and building rapport early on can help librarians feel more comfortable and prepared to collaborate with faculty. Librarians can also benefit from advocating for themselves and highlighting the various ways they can support faculty and their students beyond one-shot sessions. Additionally, seeking opportunities for ongoing relationship-building and collaboration, such as through collection development and information literacy initiatives, can lead to fruitful partnerships.
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Libraries as social spaces
Libraries are increasingly being recognised as social spaces, rather than just places to read and borrow books. This is particularly true of academic libraries, which are often referred to as the "campus living room", where students go not only to study but also to socialise, hang out and even sleep! Libraries are embracing this idea, creating "commons" areas with movable furniture, coffee shops and spaces for group work.
The social value of libraries has been highlighted in various contexts. During the Great Recession, for example, libraries served as a place for people to spend time without having to spend money. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, New Yorkers flocked to their local libraries in search of community. Libraries are also one of the last remaining indoor public spaces where people can spend time without needing a reason to be there.
The role of the library is evolving to meet the changing needs of its users. Libraries are no longer just about books; they provide access to computers, makerspaces and other technologies. They also host lectures, classes, workshops and meetings, and offer a range of other services such as tutoring and writing centres.
The design of library spaces is important in encouraging their use as social spaces. Integrating users' perspectives into the design can help to create a sense of attachment and encourage a positive attitude towards the library. Creating safe, accessible and inviting spaces is crucial to promoting the social value of libraries.
The St. Thomas University Library is a great example of a library as a social space. The STU Library is the result of years of interrelationship and fellowship, connecting diverse people and groups. It is a place that puts students first and believes that a library can be fun, transforming physical space into a social space.
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