If a tree falls in a forest…

April 27, 2011

and no one hears it, does it make a sound? Well, your answer will depend on how you view reality, but speaking for myself I’d say yes. However, perhaps a better question is, “If no one hears the tree falling, does it matter?” This (naturally) leads me to the upcoming CRD workshop, “Assessment in Higher Ed: How do libraries measure up?” If we as librarians are doing a great job, but no one perceives that we are doing a great job, then we have a problem. The CRD Board has invited Megan Oakleaf, author of the Value of Academic Libraries, to lead a day-long workshop to better equip academic librarians to collect evidence of their libraries’ value in terms that will matter to their institutions.

Megan co-presented a related session at ACRL 2011 Conference with Michelle Millet and Rachel Fleming-May, Evolution or Revolution: Strategies for Demonstrating the Library’s Impact in a New World of Assessment. The three of them noted that librarians need to stop talking about what we did (providing X number of information literacy sessions this year, purchasing X number of books, videos, etc.) and talk instead about what happens as a result of what we do. For example, we can determine whether librarians are helping students to do better work by evaluating samples of work done after library instruction. We can ask how library materials are being used in the curriculum and if our materials are helping to keep textbook costs down by working with the faculty and the bookstore.

The underlying question that should be driving all decisions concerning what we do, what data we collect, and how we should report it is this: What is the impact on student learning and development? Recasting what we do and how we report it in terms of impact on students rather than in terms of the traditional ‘institutional outputs’ involves a huge shift in our culture. And it’s not just a shift for librarians, it’s a shift for everyone in higher ed.

We’ve also asked Megan to address two rather scary questions in the workshop:

what happens if we as librarians find we do NOT add value to our institutions’ missions? (not very likely, in my opinion, but possible)
what happens if we do demonstrate we add value to our institution, but our institutions don’t care or don’t use the evidence? (more likely, in my opinion, more possible and VERY scary)

We certainly live in interesting times — I try to remind myself daily that every threat is also an opportunity. I hope you can join us at the workshop. For more information on it and how to register, view Upcoming Events on this blog.

Choose your own adventure with Megan Oakleaf

April 21, 2011

by Paul Proces

As I attended the “Value of Academic Libraries” panel session at ACRL 2011 with Mary Ellen Davis, Lisa Hinchliffe, and Megan Oakleaf, I was filled with dreams of delightfully rigorous research.

Megan Oakleaf sounded a note of caution early on. She mentioned finding other researchers who had conducted similar projects in the past to little avail. Value of Academic Libraries (VAL) might eventually face a somewhat akin fate, but my optimism was barely tempered. VAL is generating a great deal of interest if the packed, colossal Liberty Ballroom is any indication. VAL inspired other sessions at ACRL, as well as at other regional and state library-related conferences. I found Meagan’s attitude about the report quite refreshing.

She called it a, “choose your own adventure.”

In other words, read the parts that are interesting and relevant to you. Then read some other parts, then a few more. It does not need to be read straight through in one sitting. Some considerations:

The executive summary is written for non-library folks. If you are a librarian, please delve into the body of the report.
“Next steps” (pg. 93-100) is Meagan’s favorite part.
The “Research Agenda” (pg. 101) is crucial for follow-up. We (as in librarians that did not work on VAL) need to step up and actually do the research called for if we intend to make a difference. Collaborating across institutions would be the best case scenario.

Here are some highlights that I found interesting (here I note the irony of summing up 100+ pages of research in a few measly bullet points):

Satisfaction surveys are not a recommendation.
Use is simply not enough.
“It’s not the dirt, but the plants that grow.”
ILL folks, acquisitions and catalogers may already have useful ideas of value: seek them out.
In general: a good deal of data might already exist, use a rolodex to find (it’s like a contact list, but papery). Call Institutional Research, get the old Director out of bed and find the loci of data at your institution.
Privacy concerns are warranted, but don’t let these considerations block success. We need to track individuals across their academic career to answer these questions: does using the library help a student get a job, better grades, or become more likely to graduate? It can be done without comprising privacy and other departments know how.
Don’t just collect, use! Data that is.

After the presentation, with my reveries of rigor fulfilled, I started dreaming another dream: getting started on the “Next Steps” and contributing something of my own.
Paul

Intrigued to find out more? Megan Oakleaf and a panel of knowledgable assessment folks (including MSCHE) are coming to Bloomsburg University on May 17th. For more information, we have a post in Upcoming Events. Register early to reserve a seat!

Note: This is my take on my experience, these aren’t direct quotes unless marked. A grain of NaCl or 2 is a suggested accouterment for this post.

So, what did you think of ACRL 2011?

April 19, 2011

tags: 2011, ACRL, acrl2011, conference, webcast

by Erin Dorney

Join us for the ACRL 2011 Wrap-Up Webcast!

April 20, 2011 from 2-3 PM EST

(ACRL attendees –both virtual and on-site– should check their email for login information)

With over 3,000 face-to-face attendees and just under 500 virtual conference attendees, ACRL 2011 was one of this years premier conferences for the academic library crowd. Did you participate? What did you love? What could have been done better? Join us for a wrap-up webcast to share your ACRL experience.

Panelists will look back at ACRL 2011 to highlight trends and observations from the conference. Our presenters will reflect a variety of different viewpoints:

Steven Bell, Associate University Librarian for Research and Instructional Services at Temple University’s Paley Library will discuss the 2011 conference in comparison to previous conferences
Melissa Gold, Science Librarian at Millersville University will discuss her reflections as a first-time attendee
Jennifer Huck, MLIS Candidate, School of Library and Information Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison (and recipient of an ACRL Library School Student Scholarship) will discuss the conference from a student perspective
Anali Perry, Collections and Scholarly Communications Librarian at Arizona State University Libraries will discuss pros and cons of attending virtually

The webcast will be moderated by Erin Dorney (CRD Treasurer and Co-Chair of the 2011 ACRL Virtual Conference). Time will be provided for Q&A, so bring your favorite ACRL 2011 impressions and thoughts to share with your colleagues. Don’t forget that all ACRL attendees have access to the Virtual Conference site (containing slidecasts, keynote videos, handouts and more!) for up to a year. And if you haven’t already, please complete the conference evaluation forms so that our professional organization can continue to improve your conference experience for ACRL 2013!

Evaluation form for individual virtual conference webcasts

Conference evaluations for the entire ACRL experience were emailed out on April 5th

PALS Sponsorship Opportunity

April 13, 2011

tags: leadership, PALS

by Amy Deuink

The PaLA College & Research Division (CRD) would like to announce plans to sponsor two academic librarians to attend PALS 2011 (PaLA Academy of Leadership Studies). Sponsorship will cover the costs of the program, lodging, and meals (transportation not included). Information on this year’s program as well as how to nominate a librarian are below. Self-nominations (applications) will be accepted.

The PaLA Academy of Leadership Studies will be held June 5-8, 2011 at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey in Harrisburg, PA. We invite nominations and applications from academic librarians who have less than six years of experience and who have the potential to become the next generation of academic library leaders in the state of Pennsylvania. The CRD will pay for Academy registration for the two librarians chosen and will work closely with them as they continue to enhance their careers. Service to the sponsoring division (CRD) and PaLA as a whole is expected of all participants. Possible service opportunities may include: a survey of PA academic librarians or service on the CRD Board’s “tech team,” but creative ideas for how you can best serve the organization are welcome!

If you are interested in applying or in nominating someone to be sponsored by the CRD, please send the following by April 22, 2011 to Amy Deuink at ald120@psu.edu:

a letter of interest from the nominee/applicant indicating why they feel they would be a good candidate for PALS and how they would like to serve PaLA
a current resume from the nominee/applicant
a letter of support from the nominator indicating why they feel their nominee has leadership potential and should attend PALS; applicants should substitute a letter of reference from someone who can best speak to your leadership potential (professor, supervisor, employer, etc.)

Nominees must meet the following requirements:

Degreed Librarian (must the the degree before attending program)
0-6 years experiences
Demonstrate leadership potential
Has leadership “spark”
Must be willing to provide service to PaLA and the profession after completing the program
PaLA membership is not required to apply or attend, but will be required upon graduation from the program

Attendees will be notified no later than May 2, 2011.

If you have any questions about CRD sponsorship, please feel free to contact Amy Deuink at ald120@psu.edu. If you have general questions about the leadership program, please contact Tina Hertel via PALSofPaLA@gmail.com.

Link to PALS information:
http://palibraries.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=101

Link to 2011 PAL nomination process:
http://palibraries.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=102

Moment of Zen

April 8, 2011

tags: photos

by Amy Deuink

I write this at the risk of sounding… dreamy. But sometimes, at the end of a long day, I find I can’t process one more word, even one more letter. After countless amounts of books and articles and sorting and searching and call numbers and URLs, I turn to my photo blog feed for relief. No words, no numbers–just colors and lines.

In the photos I find pieces of myself and, eventually, reflect on my library and what I want my library to be. On bookshelves I find beauty in colors and whimsy, organization and disorganization, symmetry, commentary, practicality, and fun. Others images help me dream far away places, remind me to find pleasure in the simple things in life, and help me think the world is okay. Yet another inspires me to neatly organize my desk.

source: chotda, flickr.com

It’s my still and quiet version of the peaceful and relaxing Sunday Morning moment of nature and the timely and thought-provoking Daily Show moment of zen.

So, how do you get the words out of your head?