Invigorating the Academic Library Experience

An article by Elizabeth M. Karle in C&RL News highlights the need for libraries in the academic world to reinvent them. According to a recent report by OCLC, “College Students’ Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources”, academic libraries have an image problem. Two findings were that many students were not aware of the variety of resources offered by their libraries and that they thought the librarians and staff could be friendlier.

The author of the article believes that we must find ways to actively engage our patrons and create a more user-friendly atmosphere. While some libraries have added coffee bars and comfortable seating she argues that there are other ways to achieve this, and by a more cost effect means, including programming, partnerships, and creative outreach.

There are five suggested activities listed in the article:

Host a fair. In addition to the usual job fairs, volunteer fairs, and science fairs there are also exposition formats to enhance the effectiveness of the expensive research tools that the library contains.

Plan a mystery event. An example is a mystery thief event hosted by Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Teams of students were given clues to solve the mystery that involved use of library resources including the OPAC, periodical indexes, and electronic journals and involved navigating the important areas of the library. The winners were given a prize, participant gifts were given to all, and refreshments were served.

Create a stress free zone. An area designed to relieve the tensions of studying that could include a wide variety of board games, puzzles, massage therapy, films, etc. at designated times to show that the staff were allies and demonstrate support for the students.

Have a blind date with a book. Students sign up to participate and list the type of books that interest them. Librarians can select titles to match and wrap them in paper with notes attached or the librarians can select titles and write a brief “profile” of each book, the students then choosing the title for themselves.

Invite children to the library. Provide an opportunity for children of all economic status to experience the academic library. College students can be matched with participating children for a series of events including one-on-one reading, “build your own book”, or introducing children to multimedia and audiovisual technology.

“Rather than competing with technological advances in an adversarial manner, libraries and librarians need to position themselves as offering complimentary, attractive, and relevant resources that supplement their students’ media-filled lives. This can be accomplished by using the library’s existing resources, but showcasing them for maximum effect” (Karle, p. 144).

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

What do you thing? Is there an effective program that your library is using you could share? Is there an event you would like to suggest to try? Now's your chance to spread the word.