BIG CHALLENGES (& OPPORTUNITIES) FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CE INITIATIVE FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Gillian McCombs | Southern Methodist University

Communications

Image How do we interact/communicate? Cultural intelligence Future oriented

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

Is the library central or peripheral? Are you considered a change agent?

Topic A: How are/can librarians be deemed fundamental to achieving broad institutional goals?

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

Created the 24/7 experience Developed specific and unique

connections with student life Seen as innovative technology leaders

e.g. Information Commons, Student Multimedia Center

Early leader in campus digitization efforts

Some examples from SMU’s Central University Libraries

Examples, cont.

Strong faculty support Close relationship with central technology

support services – successful partnerships Special Collections involved with faculty

for both programming and research support

Connections within the administrative community e.g. partnering with Human Resources, News & Information

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

CUL’s Strategic Plan

Title is a riff on SMU’s new capital campaign theme “SMU Unbridled: the Second Century Campaign”

Opportunity to demonstrate how the libraries are in sync with both higher education and the University

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

Image – look the part – gauge your culture Positional status – Deanship essential Partnerships with other Deans

Topic B: How do librarians gain credibility within the institution?

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

Strategies

Do not shy away from the big assignments e.g. chairing search committees or taking on university-wide responsibilities, such as accreditation

Volunteer – do not wait to be asked! Create networks of advocacy e.g. faculty,

students, parents, board of advisors Be available to represent the University in

any number of forums

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

Strategies, cont.

Seed your able, inspiring young librarians into university-wide committees

Use objective data sources/consultants when documenting needs

Support the Institution DO NOT WHINE Combine patience with speed at taking

opportunities when presented SHOW UP

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

Develop a philosophy or vision that is short, identifiable, clear, and congruent with the University’s

mission/vision/culture – your elevator speech

e.g. “for the next 5 years, CUL will be

focusing on ‘customer service’”– that is a mantra of two words!Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE

Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

The Starbucks Experience: 5 principles for Turning Ordinary into

ExtraordinaryJoseph A. Michelli, McGraw Hill,

2007. 

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

Principles: Make it your own Everything matters Surprise and delight Embrace Resistance Leave your mark

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

Patron-directed acquisition as part of the overall collection development policy Shopping baskets Accompanying patrons to the stacks when lost Custom delivery of some materials Transforming the reference desk experience

Some CUL Examples

Conclusion

Envision Energize Enable Educate Embrace change

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries Gillian McCombs, SMU

Thank You!

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries | Gillian McCombs, SMU

Big Challenges (& Opportunities) for Academic Libraries; Texas Library Association CE Initiative for Academic Libraries

Gillian McCombs | Southern Methodist University