Piece of Mind

“Student” by EFF-Graphics is licensed under CC BY 3.0 US

Hybrid learning environments have become the norm in higher education. Some students attend class fully online, some in a physical classroom, and others in a blended mix of both environments. The flexibility offered to students through these different delivery models makes higher education accessible to more students, and research has shown there is not a significant difference in academic success across these models (Educause, 2016).

Libraries evolve with their communities, and academic libraries have also become hybrid environments—regarding collections, services, and spaces. Our services, like reference and instruction, can be delivered both in person and online using multiple different tools. Our collections are now a mix of print and digital resources, and our library spaces need to be both collaborative and conductive to quiet study (Webster, 2017). Beyond homes for stacks of books, many academic libraries now contain academic support and writing centers, technology filled classrooms, makerspaces, and other critical resources for teaching and learning. Far from being obsolete in an ever-changing technology driven world, the academic library “has never been more important…[and] is central in the sense that it is the tool which connects our students wherever they are” (Straumsheim, 2017).

Hybrid Technical College Library

Different patrons and stakeholders have different needs, and the idea of a hybrid library will look different to different groups. I work in a small technical college library. We have one college vice president who constantly advocates for us to move all the books out of our library space. (Library staff are very opposed to this!) On the other hand, there is one college board member who exclaims there are no books whenever he walks through the library. It is hard to make everyone happy, but we do have to try to serve all our populations. I think this all comes down to knowing your patrons and consulting them on what kind of library support they need. For example, our welding department on campus really values our physical course reserves collection, while our writing instructors heavily utilize citation LibGuides and in-person library instructional sessions. Our humanities classes can’t get enough of our Kanopy streaming videos, and our collaborative study rooms are popular with nursing students in study groups. You must observe, keep statistics, and communicate with your stakeholders when looking to make decisions for the future of the lilbrary.

While it might feel like the library is being pulled in different directions, it also means that we can serve more students and faculty. Flexible services and collections mean more accessibility. Yes, it may seem like the library is constantly pivoting, but these adjustments help us stay relevant and connected to student and faculty needs. These Module 6 readings got me excited! I am well positioned as both an online student and a library practitioner to consider how to best enhance the hybrid nature of my library’s resources.

References

Educause. (2016, February). 7 things you should know about….The 2016 key issues in teaching and learning. Educause Learning Initiative. https://library.educause.edu/~/media/files/library/2016/2/eli7129pdf.pdf

Straumsheim, C. (2017, March 23). Arizona State University Library reorganization plan moves ahead. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/03/24/arizona-state-u-library-reorganization-plan-moves-ahead

Webster, K. (2017, February 15). Reimagining the role of the library in the digital age: Changing the use of space and navigating the information landscape. London School of Economics and Political Science. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2017/02/15/reimagining-the-role-of-the-library-in-the-digital-age-changing-the-use-of-space-and-navigating-the-information-landscape/?platform=hootsuite

This post is not for any of the official assignments as I feel like I need to be upbeat and positive about serving our communities and patrons when I write those. However, I just wanted to share that some of the readings in Module 5 were hard for me to read. Specifically, the ones focusing on how patrons are always right and about needing to get to know your patrons on an intimate personal level to best serve their needs. I understand the logic behind this. However, it also makes me anxious. Last year, I had a bad experience with patron-perpetrated sexual harassment.  At the time, while dealing with that, I could barely staff the service desk, let alone have any kind of personal conversation with a patron for fear it might happen again.

When we talk about serving our communities, I sometimes forget that I am also a part of my own community, and I deserve to feel safe in the library as well. A year out, I feel much better about patron interactions, and I realize most patrons don’t have bad intentions. I can be personable without being personal. I don’t owe anything to patrons beyond what I am comfortable sharing. This has been a shift in mindset for me. I am better about standing up for myself, and I can still be helpful without it being a detriment to myself. So, folks, use your employee assistance program to talk to counselors. Know your rights. Advocate for yourself, and document things that don’t feel okay. Also, share your struggles with your coworkers because they might be experiencing them too, and you don’t need to struggle alone. Module 5 was all about creating a community that supports all the needs of our patrons. Don’t forget to include staff in this as well!

Modern libraries support their patrons’ social, mental, and physical wellbeing, in addition to their information needs (Greenwood, 2022). As numerous readings in Module 5 attested, this support means libraries, in addition to books, also provide access to technology, the internet, employment resources, food and clothing, mental health resources, and the list goes on and on to include a truly holistic view of patron needs. Libraries are uniquely positioned to do this work. They are considered safe spaces and trusted institutions by many community members (Dixon, 2017). This is important because it means patrons—especially the most vulnerable patrons—feel comfortable coming to libraries to seek help. Libraries are also places of connection. Patrons can connect with each other through library programs like book clubs or craft groups (Hasan, 2022). The library also connects with other community networks (private and governmental) to provide funding for these resources (Williams, 2021).

Example: Summer Lunches

“20210810-FNS-UNC-0015” by U.S. Department of Agriculture is in the public domain

My local public library runs a summer meal program that is a great example of holistic support. During the summer, the library prepares and serves free lunch on weekdays. The goal is to ensure children get fed during the summer. However, these meals are open to anyone. The library serves about 35 – 70 meals a day. This program is funded through donations from local businesses and individuals. One library staff member prepares and serves all the meals, with the help of volunteers. (One of the volunteers is my mom, who was my source for this information.) When I heard about this program, my first thought was this seemed like a waste of staff time. This library only has two full-time staff, and the meal preparation and clean up takes most of the workday for one. This person oversees most of the technical service functions of the library. When I heard she had to do all this cooking, I wondered how she would have time to do her actual job. This module has shown me that meal service is her actual job. The library is doing important work to support the physical well-being of vulnerable children in the community. Allotting library staff time arranging funding sources and cooking meals is absolutely appropriate. They are supporting the holistic needs of their community.

Implications for My Work

I don’t know why I was surprised by this meal program at the public library because the college where I work also focuses on holistic student support. After all, students cannot be successful in their classes if their basic needs are not met. For me in the library, this holistic support mainly means referring students to other departments for help. Other departments on campus offer great services that we in the library do not need replicate. This includes a food pantry, free clothing, transportation vouchers, financial coaching, employment help, etc. Right now, the library mainly contributes to holistic support by providing internet hotspots and technology to students. However, this module has me thinking about how the library is well-positioned as a partner with many campus and community organizations, and we can do more to be a better support for holistic community needs.

References

Dixon, J. (2017, October 23). Convening community conversation. Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/convening-community-conversations-programming

Greenwood, C. (2022). Healthy library, healthy life. INCITE, 43(6), 24.

Hasan, T.N. (2022, October 20). ‘Free, non-judgemental, accessible’: How your local library is a sanctuary of health and wellness. SBS Bangla. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/bangla/en/article/free-nonjudgmental-and-accessible-how-your-local-library-is-a-sanctuary-of-health-and-wellness/t15blzsi9

Williams, A. (2021, March 17). How libraries are bridging the digital divide. Internet Society. https://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2021/03/libraries-are-bridging-the-digital-divide/

Hello everyone! My name is Rachel. I am located in rural Wisconsin. I live in a forest, and my nearest neighbors are cows. I work in a small technical college library. We are a staff of only two. So, my job duties are varied, including: cataloging, collection development, course reserves, reference, staffing the service desk, interlibrary loan, archives, records management, programming, student worker management, etc. Of these duties, I most enjoy cataloging, interlibrary loan, and managing our small college archives. (We launched a digital archive last year, which has been one of my most proud professional moments.) If I am being honest, I will admit that I chose this class as a backup. I originally enrolled in a genealogy class this summer. I am a genealogist and was really excited to take that class, which only seems to run in the summers. Unfortunately, this genealogy class was cancelled. I chose this hyperlinked library class as an alternative because I saw good reviews for the class and the professor. I was also drawn to the patron focus in this class. I work in a technical college where student success is our main priority. So, I think this class could help me improve at work. This semester, I am most excited about the choose your own adventure opportunities. I have never encountered this in a graduate level class!

This is a picture of me in front of the Hogwarts castle at Universal Studios in Orlando. I went there this past January. It was only about 40 degrees most of the trip. However, I escaped -10 degree weather back home in Wisconsin. So, this seemed like a heat wave!