After considerable discussion we developed a list of issues of concern.  We then worked through the list to identify those that were being addressed well by other organizations, leaving us free to work on those that are not yet as well covered.  Here is the list we developed:

• New roles for librarians including responsibilities for digitization and publishing and responsibilities for new information formats including data curation.
• The development and implementation of enhanced mechanisms for research collaboration.
• Defining what it means to be an outstanding research library and what it means to be a transformed library.
• The 21^st century collection, including what should be considered an “ARL collection,” how to make paper and digital collections persistent, and collaborative scholarly communication programs.
• The transformation of technical services to meet the needs of the 21^st century library.
• Developing active partnerships with academic computing.
• Generating institutional-level commitment to accountable collaborations.
• Methods of engaging others – deans, administrators, provosts and other leaders – in the changing library.

The group felt some issues were so important they added them to the list even though there are many other library groups addressing them – teaching and learning, library facilities, social networking, and shifting access to the network level.  In each case the group agreed that ARL should focus on the aspects unique to research libraries since they were being broadly addressed in the profession.

After compiling this list, the hard part of the meeting was determining the focus for the coming year.  The group decided to focus on twenty-first century research collections and transforming professionals’ roles in research libraries.  The group believes these two issues are not only among the most critical but they are areas of great transformation in research libraries.

Collections have changed dramatically; the opportunity to purchase and create digital resources has changed the nature of collections while our print collections continue to grow and in many research libraries have become more specialized.  The work we do in research libraries changes constantly, as we all know.  Not only has our work changed but research libraries also employ an ever widening range of professionals.  These new colleagues bring new ideas and new styles of work to add to the change in responsibilities and roles among those of us who have always worked in libraries.

I’ll be on the Steering Committee for two years, so I’m looking forward to the discussion and hearing how our colleagues at research libraries around the U.S. and Canada are meeting these challenges.  Let me know what you think.

STUDENT INPUT HELPS CREATE LIBRARY LEARNING COMMONS
Students Collaborate with Auburn University to create a library facility

AUBURN, Ala. – The tattoo parlor didn’t make it, but many other services that students requested did. The new Learning Commons that opened in Auburn University’s Ralph Brown Draughon Library in January is a result of student collaboration with administrators to create a space designed specifically for students, by students.

The RBD is a place with which all Auburn University students and faculty are familiar. A second home for many students to meet, study, work, and occasionally, during finals week, sleep. The library’s resources far surpass those of many others around the country.

Since students are the majority of people spending their time in the library, it only made sense to administrators to find out their wants and needs, and implement them. The Commons resulted from a three-year plan to design a space for today’s students.

The space features 300 power outlets, movable whiteboards, 10 study group areas and 415 new seats. The Miller Writing Center, Study Partners, Office of Information Technology Help Desk and library reference services are located in the Learning Commons. Even a Caribou Coffee shop has been added, which, judging from the crowds on any given day, appears to be extremely popular with students.

“Finally, a good coffee place in the library,” Auburn University student Carly Williams says. “I spend a lot more time in the library now that I can get my fix of
caffeine during study breaks!”

The Commons is not an idea unique only to Auburn. Marcia Boosinger, who, as associate dean for public services, oversees reference and instruction in circulation and branch libraries, says the plan to offer spaces constructed by utilizing user feedback has been implemented in many academic libraries throughout the nation. The schools have realized that input about how their users work and study today are imperative to meet their needs.

The process to create the Commons was a long one, but an enjoyable one as well, according to Dean of Auburn University Libraries, Bonnie MacEwan.

“It has been a pleasure and an honor from beginning to end,” MacEwan, says. “It has truly been a team effort.”

The effort was collaborative among many different groups. MacEwan said Auburn’s students helped leaders to understand library related needs; librarians and staff made the ideas into plans; facilities assisted in the actual build; OIT, Study Partners, and the Writing Center joined the effort; and EBSCO industries, the Provost and facilities dug into limited budgets for funding.

The result made the work all worth it, MacEwan said. “I love to walk through and see students being tutored, see them getting computer assistance at the OIT desk, see them consulting with the Reference Librarians, see them gathered in groups and lined up for coffee and snacks at Caribou,” MacEwan says.

MacEwan said that in England, many citizens have “three places” that they go most often. Work and home tend to be the first two, and for adults, the third place is usually a pub. RBD Library’s goal was for the Commons to be that “third place” for Auburn students to go to relax and be comfortable. That’s why the design is flexible, the furniture movable and a coffee shop is available.

For four years, the library has been soliciting feedback from stakeholders about how it can better serve its users. Exercises such as “Draw Your Library”, “I am a Camera”, and “Where Did You Go?”; surveys; and discussions with the Library Student Advisory Council allowed the library to gather information both formally and informally.

“Draw Your Library” was a program started in 2006 in which four or five students were selected at random every half-hour and given instructions to draw what their idea of a single floor of the library should look like and reflect all the services they think were necessary. The students were given pizza and drinks while they worked, and could register for an iPod for participating.

“I am a Camera” recruited random students to take pictures of and describe various aspects in their study habits such as: items they take to class, what they consider high tech, where they go in the library to get help with an assignment, etc.

“Where Do You Go?” was a program designed to discover an idea of where, when and how the library is utilized. Faculty, undergraduate and graduate students were given surveys at the door of the library and asked to check off services they used. The participants were then entered to win an iPod and other prizes. A second survey was used in which large maps were placed on windows and participants would place stickers over areas they used. The feedback was successful, with 960 completed surveys turned in.

“I didn’t mind participating in the surveys,” student Payton Ely, a participant in “Where Do You Go?” said. “It took just a minute and I got the chance to win an iPod. Plus it was cool to feel like I was doing something to help.”

The results of all the programs and surveys were compiled and professional planners and Auburn’s campus partners came in for a two-day design workshop last summer and worked tirelessly to then buy necessary equipment and furnishings. The Commons opened Jan. 11, 2010, the first day of spring semester. It was officially dedicated on Feb. 5.

To publicize the Commons, word of mouth has done a fair amount of the work. Many students talk about the new facility.

“I love the Learning Commons,” Auburn student Grace Seymour says. “It’s so nice to have the extra space, and we definitely needed all of those group study areas. The study rooms used to fill up all the time.”

Auburn’s Web site, the Auburn Daily, Auburn Report, signs in the library and the dedication have all publicized the Commons. RBDpalooza, a gaming event held on March 5, was held in the Learning Commons to encourage students to visit the space.

According to library leadership, the Learning Commons is a positive facility created by the students and for the students, and the RBD Library is a better place because students had a change to make their voices heard.

“I’m so happy to feel a part of something here at Auburn,” Ely says. “It’s great to see something that the student body created. And it’s even better that Auburn listened.”

Webmaster Tony Oravet provides the following rundown on Twitter, how it works, and why it’s useful.

What is Twitter, anyway?
Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author’s profile page and delivered to the author’s subscribers who are known as followers. Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access.

How Can Twitter Benefit the Libraries?
Because of the rapidly growing popularity of social networking sites and in an attempt to reach out to those participating, many libraries have created their own Twitter accounts. Although the original intent was to network with patrons and others within their community, many libraries are finding that Twitter has many other uses beyond the simple “what are you doing?” tweet. Twittering Libraries are not only making better (and wider) connections in their communities, they are also networking with other libraries and librarians, using it as an educational and professional development tool, advertising their programs and services and incorporating it within their blogs and websites.

How do other Libraries (universities? departments?) use Twitter?
Some examples of how libraries are using Twitter include:

• For library announcements
• To post news such as special events, holiday hours, exhibits, new book arrivals
• Updated resources or reminders of important resources, instruction sessions and new reference services
• Using Twitter as another communication tool with patrons/clients
• As a reference service
• As a way to keep in touch with librarian friends and colleagues as well as a way to collaborate on projects
• As a way to stay on top of the latest technologies
• For customer service
• To send alerts about requested materials
• As a short newsletter
• As a public relations/marketing tool
• As a way to get and share information about conferences and other professional development opportunities (i.e., registration deadlines, speakers, accommodation information, webinars)
• Cataloging and tagging
• Internal updates
• For networking with other librarians, libraries, and library-affiliated organizations

Trehub was selected to receive the award for his efforts in support of two Network of Alabama Academic Libraries projects, AlabamaMosaic and the Alabama Digital Preservation Network (ADPNet); his involvement in several ground-breaking initiatives fostered by the Association of Research Libraries and the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries; and his excellent leadership, vision and work toward the overall advancement of libraries. AlabamaMosaic exists as it does today because of Trehub’s assiduous support, and his work as project director of ADPNet has developed the project into an innovative model for low-cost preservation and archival solutions.

Trehub’s award marks the second time in a decade that a member of the Auburn University Libraries staff has won the Sue O. Medina Award. Marcia Boosinger, associate dean for public services, won the award in 2004.

First, let me add a little info to things you already know about.   You already know about the carpet installation on the third floor and office areas, about the installation of the Reference/Instruction Librarian offices, the creation of the Learning Commons and the integration of the Miller Writing Center, Academic Support services, and OIT tech support.  However, did you know that every one of the one hundred and seventy two ranges on the third floor were moved, books and all, at least two times and in many cases three or four times?  Each range is about twenty one feet long and has an average weight of two thousand pounds.  In eighteen days a crew of seven guys moved around five hundred sixteen tons.   In addition, almost thirty two thousand square yards of carpet was handled.  To create the almost fifteen thousand six hundred square feet of space for the Learning Commons JP, his students, and many of you shifted eight hundred twenty thousand items.   We also had to disassemble and remove thirty two shelving ranges.  Facilities had to run wiring for over three hundred new electrical outlets and we ordered, received, installed and arranged over $300,000.00 worth of new furniture.  A crew of three guys built the Reference/Instruction Librarian offices in five days.

Now let me update you on a couple of projects that have started.  We’re finally getting a new fire alarm system throughout the building.  The new system will feature addressable smoke detectors, a voice alarm system, and an automated alert option that is tied in to the University’s warning system.  The addressable smoke detectors should eliminate the false alarms we’ve become so famous for.  The major cause of our false alarms is dust accumulation in the old smoke detectors.  Once dust builds up to a certain point they alarm and the building goes into an evacuation.   The new ones will send three electronic messages to the contractor warning that they are getting dirty.  The contractor will run a list of dirty detectors on a daily basis and can simply replace the dirty head with a clean one then take the dirty one back to the shop for a thorough cleaning.  If the first message is missed or ignored a second message is sent.  The contractor is supposed to respond to the second message within twenty four hours.  If a third message is sent the contractor has four hours to respond before the detector goes into alarm mode.  The bottom line is that we really should not have any more false alarms due to dust accumulation.  If the system does alarm, the fire department will know exactly where to go to verify the threat.   They will no longer have to wander around an entire floor trying to spot which detector is alarming so evacuations should be cleared much quicker.  Another project that will be running concurrently with the alarm system is the addition of over six hundred new electrical outlets.  Each column in the main seating areas throughout the building will have four duplexes installed.  They will also be adding outlets to the columns along the windows, core drilling in the third floor Graduate Student/Faculty Reading room, and wiring some of our carrels for power.  These two projects will take six to nine months to complete and are being done almost entirely by our Facilities In-House Construction team.

After all that, here’s some stuff you probably haven’t heard about yet.   Sometime late this summer the Atrium will be painted, the neon lighting will be removed, and a series of large, colorful, sound baffling banners will be hung.  This project is currently in the planning stage but will entail the temporary installation of a huge amount of scaffolding in the atrium.  It should be quite interesting to watch and the end result will be a really good looking atrium that will not be quite the “sound chimney” that it currently is.  Also in the planning stages at facilities is a project to upgrade the HVAC in Special collections which will stabilize the temperature and humidity at recommended levels for archival collections.  This project will also include the re-carpeting of the Special Collection/Archives area.  Another project on the horizon is to provide further protection to our server room by adding it and the equipment needed to support it to the backup generator.  This project is in the beginning planning stages and will probably not be started until next year.  Last, but certainly not least is to complete the re-carpeting of the building.  Looks like we’ll be finishing off the re-carpeting this Christmas break.

Keep an eye out for more updates.

Bob

The 7th Annual Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee will be held Thursday, July 29, at the Saugahatchee Country Club. Cocktails are scheduled for 5 p.m. and the competition begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, and the spelling bee benefits the Lee County Literacy Coalition. Plan now to attend and cheer the Dewey Decimators to victory! Contact Paula Sullenger if you would like to buy tickets.

Yvette Rivera in the Dean’s Office has been temporarily relocated to 2021H (Bob Yerkey’s old office).  She will be working from this office while Facilities makes some improvements to her work area.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Reference held the final Snacks in the Stacks event last Thursday, July 15. Turnout throughout the summer was fantastic, with groups of parents ranging from 75 – 175 per session!

What’s happening soon:

Tailgate @ the Library, the Libraries’ annual open house, is scheduled for Friday, September 3, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The Events Committee is planning a 50th anniversary celebration in honor of our library building. The celebration will take place over the course of the fall semester, culminating in an anniversary party to be held the first week in November.  A timeline exhibit, 50th anniversary website and more details are coming soon!

The Discover Auburn Lecture Series, sponsored by the Auburn University Libraries, resumes this fall.  The lectures take place in Special Collections, located on the ground floor of the Draughon Library.

On Thursday, August 26, 2010, at 3 PM, Tom Eden, Auburn’s head cheerleader during the 1949-1950 academic year, will discuss this activity as the Tigers inaugurate a new football season.

On Thursday, September 16, 2010, at 3 PM, Dwayne Cox, Head of Special Collections, will discuss Auburn’s history from 1900 to 1920 as part of the centennial of Comer Hall, occupied in 1910.

On Thursday, October 14, 2010, at 3 PM, Jeff Jakeman, Editor of the Encyclopedia of Alabama and Associate Professor of History, will discuss this valuable on-line resource, located at http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Home.jsp.

On Thursday, November 4, 2010, at 3 PM, a color power-point presentation will feature archival photographs, taken by the late Cornelia Martin, of Afghanistan and the Pakistan frontier before the fighting.

On Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at 3 PM, Richard Penaskovic, Coordinator of Religious Studies, will discuss “The Muslin-Christian Dialogue”.

All are welcome to attend the lectures and the receptions that follow.  Past lectures appear in the Auburn University Digital Library at http://diglib.auburn.edu/.  For further information contact Joyce Hicks at 334-844-1705 or hicksjo@auburn.edu.

Dr. Margaret Marshall, Director of University Writing

Kathi Palmer, Administrative Assistant

Kathi Palmer introduces the Office of University Writing, located on the 3rd floor of RBD Library.

Who’s in our office?

• Dr. Margaret Marshall, Director of University Writing
• Kathi Palmer, Administrative Assistant

What do we do to enhance the culture of writing and writing instruction?

• Support student writing with face-to-face consultations in the Miller Writing Center
• Encourage and celebrate excellent student writing throughout Auburn University
• Support faculty through curriculum development and faculty development
• Research and assess writing
• Promote and help develop writing in all of the majors

Where are we?

• RBD Library, 3^rd floor
• Former Honors College offices in Room 3436

How can you contact us?

• 4-7475 Office
• Dr. Marshall @   mmarshall@auburn.edu
• Kathi Palmer @  kap0021@auburn.edu

Help us keep the newsletter interesting, informative, relevant and fun! Share a meaningful experience related to the Libraries, news from your department, information on upcoming events and more.  Keep the suggestions coming!

With questions about posts or other items, please contact Cayce Van Horn, gordyca@auburn.edu.