The Library Bill of Rights and Michigan's Academic Library Collections: A Participatory Discussion Deborah Margolis - Michigan State University
In this session, we will look at the Library Bill of Rights in groups and discuss how our academic library collections and policies are reflecting our professional values, as expressed in the Library Bill of Rights/Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries. What challenges to professional values are we confronting in our libraries, with changing formats and new uses of library space, in the current higher education and political landscape? Issues such as privacy and privatization, licensing and accessibility of library materials and services to various user groups may be discussed. Who and where are our users; how are out collections and services used locally, statewide, and beyond? Are we providing balanced collections, equally accessible to all in our academic communities? What are our visions for academic library collections today and in the coming years? Stepping back to look at our professional guidelines may help to shape activities in our libraries and in our professional associations.
Room 120
Digital Humanities/Digital Scholarship Services Devin Higgins, Digital Library Programmer - Michigan State University
Megan Kudzia, Digital Scholarship Technology Librarian - Michigan State University
Scout Calvert, Data Librarian - Michigan State University
Elisa Landaverde, Metadata Librarian - Michigan State University
This program will discuss services and labs in support of digital humanities/digital scholarship work in libraries. The presenters will address what services have worked well and those that have not in addition to the types of services would ideally be created in the future. The presenters will provide examples of projects they have worked on with faculty and students on campus and will discuss tools and software available to those who are interested in starting services in their libraries.
Room 121
Merging Two Information Services Departments: Challenges and Opportunities Rebecca Renirie - Central Michigan University
Stephanie Mathson - Central Michigan University
Jennifer Rundels - Central Michigan University
Monica Craig - Central Michigan University
Organizational change is always a challenge, but especially when merging departments that have been in existence for decades. One mid-sized public university is facing such a change: After 40 years of exclusive service to remote students, the distance education library services unit is merging with the on-campus reference department to form a single service point. While the merger makes sense in light of declining enrollment at remote centers and increasing enrollment in online classes, it is no easy task after such a long period of providing parallel services. Staff members determined to come out of this process with the best of both worlds are now looking with fresh eyes at the minutia of day-to-day work and closely examining the logistics of that work. How will these departments share one reference calendar, especially when three members of the distance services unit are far from campus? How will two distinct library websites be consolidated to accurately reflect a location-neutral student services philosophy? One unit has traditionally handled all online library instruction sessions, so what will be required for all librarians to feel comfortable teaching in that environment? Please join librarians from both units as we discuss this process while still in the midst of the consolidation. We will share summaries from initial discussions about the merger and comments from an ACRL external review, as well as present the work of several ad-hoc committees charged with bringing the two units together.